Pacific Youth
Strategy 2005 Updates (January 2003)
SOLOMON ISLANDS
by
Mr Edward Anisitolo, Youth
Development Officer
Ministry of Youth, Sports & Women Affairs
1. Background:
An overview of Solomon Islands
1:1
Geography
Solomon
Islands has a long history of settlement estimated to be 10,000 years in
some
areas. It is culturally and linguistically diverse with at least 70 – 80
different language and cultural groups. The country is also ecologically diverse
and has rich natural resources. The six major land masses and 992 smaller atolls
of Solomon Islands are located south-east of Papua New Guinea and 1,900
kilometers east of Australia in a region of volcanic activity known as
“Pacific Ring of Fire”.
The
main chain of Islands in the north are Choisuel, Isabel and Malaita and running
parallel, New Georgia, Guadalcanal and Makira in the south. The islands have a
collective land area of nearly30,000 sq. km distributed over some 1,280,000
square kilometers of sea. Many of these islands are covered with dense tropical
rainforests
But
with the exception of the coastal plains on Guadalcanal, there is little land
available for large scale of agriculture.
1:2.
Population & Life
The
population of Solomon Islands is 409,042, with an annual growth rate of 2.8%.
41.5%[170,000]
of the population is under15 years and the majority of the population is under
25 years according to the 1999 census.
Solomon
Islands is historically a Melanesian society with traditional social structure
and customs based on family ties and kinship system. However, the scattered
nature of the islands also reflects the diverse ethnic culture and
tradition that exist. 93% of the population are Melanesian, 4% Polynesian and
the remaining 3% comprises other ethnic groups. About 87 languages are spoken
throughout the country. Pidgin is the lingua franca and English is official
language
Life
in many parts of Solomon Islands remain centered around communally owned land
and is sustained through subsistence agriculture and fisheries increasingly
supplemented by cash earnings. However, changes are happening at many levels
which means that households and communities are now becoming less insulated from
the global economy. Social changes are occurring rapidly in response to both
economic change and rapid population.
1:3
Recent Events
The
last two the decade, 1999 – 2001 had unfortunately seen Solomon Islands
experiencing an unprecedented ethnic tension
resulting
in an armed conflict between two militia groups from two provinces, Malaita and
Guadalcanal. The two year conflict had caused serious social, economic and
political disruptions. The conflict resulted in loss of lives and properties as
well as negating the progress made by structural reform programme implemented by
the government in 1977. The strife has used up resources that would otherwise
have gone to improve the delivery of basic services to the rest of the
country’s population. Sadly the event impacted adversely on the weak and
vulnerable, mainly children, youths and women.
The
crisis seriously affected the Solomon Islands economy. The export of palm oil
ceased in June, 1999 with the closure of the company Solomon Islands Plantations
Limited, the Gold Ridge Mine and Solomon Taiyo, the major fishing company,
suspended operation in June and July, 2000, then latter finally pulled out in
early 2001. The central economy was shaken and most social institutions,
including sports, recreation and cultural outlet were abandoned or severely
limited. Around 8,000 workers or nearly 15% of the total workforce in the formal
sector have either lost their jobs through redundancies or were sent on
indefinite unpaid leave by the end of year 2000. Since May, 2000, inflation has
been on an upward movement.
The
damage done to the economy would still be felt in years to come and would take
years before the economy is restored and rebuilt to its pre-ethnic crisis levels
in some respects.
The
Solomon Islands society may change forever as a result of the social unrest on
Guadalcanal.
1:4.
Youth Population
Solomon
Islands has a total population of 131,231 young people between the age of 14 and
29 years of age of which many are privileged to have had some formal education
and training but many more do not and still have no formal employment.
These
young people are our resources and their skills, talents and potential must be
developed so that they may positively and effectively contributed to the
development
of
Solomon Islands. The future of the nation depends on the direction taken in
youth development.
In
recognition of the prescribed needs and aspiration of young men, women and
children in seeking to provide a framework for the coordination and
strengthening of the current youth programmes and activities, in an attempt to
bring young people and children together and empower them to become part and
parcel of the overall development of the nation. To achieve that the National
Government has develop a National Youth Policy to provide a set of guidelines
from which a National Youth Development Plan of Action. (which is still in
draft) will form the basis for an integrated approach and efficient service to
youth organisations. It also an instrument which formalizes the government
recognition of the need to address the inherent and contemporary issues
affecting young people’s lives.
2.
Implementation Mechanisms
The
implementation mechanisms envisaged to ensure a collaborative approach to
Service
delivery for the welfare and livelihood of young people include the following:
-
The
Ministry of youth, Sports and Women’s Affairs
to coordinate the efforts and initiatives of the Government to make the policy
and to maintain regular consultation with all Government Department or
Ministries, Churches, NGOs,Youth organisations and all other stakeholders in
youth empowerment development.
-
The
National Youth Congress
as the lead youth organisation will oversee the implementation of the National
Youth Policy and the programmes to be outlined in the National Youth Plan of
Action in relation to those of the other organisation concerned. The NYC is also
mandated to convey to the Government the views and opinion expressed by young
people and all other youth stakeholders.
-
Inter-Ministry/Departmental Consultative Committee of senior
Government officers. An
option set up to coordinate cross sector policies and
programmes on youth empowerment.
The
mechanisms to facilitate consultation and participation of young people
includes:
-
Provincial
Youth Council
(to be established under the auspice of Provincial Assemblies.
-
Community
Youth Forums
( to be establish under the auspices of Provincial Area councils)
-
Urban
Youth Council
( to be established under the Honiara City council)
-
Inter-Agency
Consultative Conference
– option to set up to coordinate and collaborate on policies and youth
programmes of all stakeholders including
The
youth organisations and individual groups.
3.
The Roles of the Churches, Youth organisations, NGOs and Youth stakeholders.
The
Church youth organisations and NGOs should be in liaison with other sectors in
the community to develop the full potential of the youths in a holistic approach
setting.
In
the country, most of the youths are affiliated to a church denomination.
The
policy recognizes the churches and other youth stakeholders as the implementing
agencies. Further to that, it recognizes that a strong spiritual base coupled
with sound appropriate training and an entrepreurship scheme will develop young
people to become responsible citizens or leader in the nation. Currently, the
Provincial Governments, Churches, Non government Organisations, Uniform Youth
organisation and National Youth Agencies are actively engaged in youth
programmes or activities within their own sectors.
4.
Statement related to Pacific Youth Strategy 2005 as
from July, 1998 to October, 2002.
Programme 1:
Pacifika Aspirations
This
programme focuses on promoting full participation of young people in economic,
social, spiritual, and cultural development of society and recognizing their
unique contributions to the development of society.
Below
are the activities undertaken to achieve programme 1
1.
September, 1999 - Provincial Youth Leadership and Project Design for
youths, At CYP center, Honiara,
Facilitated and sponsored by US Peace Corps
2.
August, 2002 - Food and Nutrition workshop for Youths Of Church of
Melanesia Facilitate by Women’s Division of MYSWA ( 23 participants )
3.
September, 2002 - Skill Training for Youth of Church of Melanesia on
Screen printing (15 participants)
Programme 2:
Challenge Pacifika
This
programme calls for urgent action in implementing positive and practical
responses to emerging issues as:-
Employment
1
Nov,2001 - A Country Study on Youth Employment in Solomon Island .Funded
by ILO/Japan Regional Project on Youth Employment in Asia Pacific Region.
Youth Health
1.
April, 2000 – Adventist Youth, Youth to Youth Conference on Empowerment
of Youths to make right decision on Religious, and Health issues to save guide
their health .
2.
June, 2001 – Sexual & Reproductive Health
for Solomon Island School, Quality Motel, Honiara Funded by Family
Planning Australia and Facilitated by SIPPA staff.
3. April, 2001 Completion
of Family life Education curriculum manual for both school of Education and
School of Nursing, SICHE Funded by Family Planning/Australia and Ausaid.
4. September, 2001 Lunching of HIV/AIDS Education
Awareness Project for Honiara Secondary Schools and Youths out of school By ADRA-Solomon
Islands and Health Ministries of SDA Church.
5.
October, 2000 AIDS and Reproductive Health Awareness
Conference for Youth leaders at SICA Centre, Conducted by ARH/UNFPA
Coordinator Mr Ken Konare.
6. November, 2001 ARH Awareness Workshop for Array Youths in
Honiara, Conducted by ARH/UNFPA Coordinator Mr Ken Konare.
7.
1998, Introduction of the Health Promoting Schools concept in the Honiara
city schools by the Ministry of Health and medical services and Ministry of
Education and Human Resources Development and Honiara City Council Education
Department.
8.
April to May, 2001 Youth and Drugs (Marijuana) Campaign targeted Church
and Community youth groups. Lunched by Youth Division, MYSWA.
9.
Annual World No Tobacco Day campaign organised by Ministry of Health and
Services targeted the Schools and the communities.
Environment
- Since
1998, annual involvement of youths, uniform organisations and communities in
Honiara in tree planting and beautification programme launched by Honiara
city council, landscaping and gardening project and Honiara beautification
committee.
- Biannual
Honiara Adventist youth groups clean up and beautification of different
section of Honiara.
Promotion
of Peace.
1.
Feb. 2001- Save the Children, Australia, organize Peace and
Reconciliation workshop for ex militants in and around Honiara.
2.
April 2001- Organised march by Youths and women in support for total
disarmament of Malaita Eagle Force (MEF), Isatabu Freedom Movement (IFM) and
Guadalcanal Revolutionary Army (GRA).
3
Oct, 2001- 3 Day Peace and Reconciliation for Youth Leaders and Youth
Representatives funded by SPC conducted MYSWA
4
Oct, 2001- Formation of Youth and Police Executive Community Reference
group by the Ministry of Police and National Security.
5
Feb, 2002- 2 Days Police and Youth Forum organised jointly by MYSWA and
Ministry of Police and National Security.
6
Feb, 2002- Lunching of Community Policing by the Ministry of Police and
National Security to involve the Youths in most Suburbs of Honiara to curb
criminal activities etc.
7.
Nov, 2001- Youth of the
Church of Melanesia paid visit to Joseph Sangu, the Western Commander/IFM and
the former militates of west Guadalcanal to share from the Word of God and put
on Dramas and skirt on peace and forgiveness.
Programme 3:
Youth Lead Pacifika
Focuses
on capacity-building and skill development ensure youth leaders and youth
Organisation can contribute positively to national development.
1.
1998 – 2000 - Formulation and Completion of the National Youth Policy
by the National Youth Congress and the MYSWA
2.
May, 2000 - Endorsement of
the National Youth Policy by Cabinet and Commonwealth Youth Ministers.
3. September, 2002- National Youth affair forum to
formulate National Youth Plan of Action 2002 – 2007 (Draft No 3)
4
October, 2002 - Facilitate data collection / information research for
formulation of Provincial Youth Policies for Renbel and Central provinces.
5
2001- Establishment of Willies Electrical Institute for intake of youths
and school leavers for Aprendship
6
1996 - 2002 Skill development Training by National Trade Testing Centre
on pre-basic trades namely: Carpentry, Mechanic, Electrical and plumbing
training for out of school youths.
7.
1999 - Establishment of Don Bosco Institute to provide training on life
skills to Youths and School leavers.
8.
Sept 30 – 8th Oct, 2001 - Two Youths (one male and female)
attended Commonwealth Youth Forum, Gold Coast, Sponsored by Australian
Government.
9.
Jun 17 – Jul 11, 2002 – Two Youths (one male and female) attended
Commonwealth Youth Summit 2002 on Citizen You, in the United Kingdom. Sponsored
by Commonwealth Youth Exchange Council.
10.
Jun 19 – Jul 11, 2002 – One Youth leader went on The invitation
Programme of Youths to Japan sponsored by JIC.
11.
Aug & Oct, 2002 – 2-Five Days Solomon Islands Youth Paralegal
Training for Youth leaders, both national and provincial, Funded and facilitated
by RRRT and coordinate by MYSWA.
Programme
4: Pacifika Advocacy
The
regular and active involvement of the Ministry
of Youth, Sports and Women’s Affairs with UNICEF, UNDP, Save the Children’s
Australia, UNFPA, AusAID, ILO. Family Planning Australia, ADRA, Church Youth
Organisations and Private sectors
has strengthening relationship, widen the youth network, foster
collaboration and cooperation in youth matters at the National level.
Point
to note:
The
Solomon Islands Government acknowledges the achievement of the above activities
as collaborative efforts of Government ministries, non governmental
organisations, National Youth Agencies, Church Youth organisations and Youth
groups.
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