Member Spotlight: Representing Nauru, creating a pathway in Leadership

When Eirububwin Treannah Dabwido travelled from Nauru to Honiara, Solomon Islands, to attend the 2025 Pacific Australia Youth Leadership Summit, she represented both her country and PAYA as the only delegate from Nauru and the wider Micronesian region. Supported by UNDP and Capelle and Partner, the experience became more than a leadership program—it was an opportunity to connect with young leaders from across the Pacific, exchange ideas, and explore how collaboration can create lasting change.

Bringing together 38 delegates from across the Pacific and Australia, the summit centred on the theme of "Youth Shaping Pacific Leadership, Environmental Sustainability and Financial Security." Throughout the week, participants immersed themselves in leadership workshops, cultural experiences and collaborative projects designed to strengthen regional partnerships and inspire the next generation of Pacific leaders.

For Eirububwin, one of the most meaningful aspects of the summit was discovering how young people from different islands, cultures and backgrounds could come together with a shared purpose. While every delegate brought unique experiences to the conversations, they were united by a common commitment to serving their communities and creating opportunities for others.

One phrase from the summit stayed with her long after the sessions had ended.

"Leadership starts in the heart."

Learned during a Solomon Islands Pijin language session, the simple saying became a powerful reminder that leadership begins with character, compassion and a genuine desire to serve others.

The summit encouraged delegates to think beyond theory and consider what leadership looks like in practice. During the Local Leadership Panel, experienced Pacific leaders shared honest reflections on the challenges they had faced and the values that had guided them throughout their journeys. Their message was clear—leadership is about striving for excellence while remaining humble enough to listen, learn and lift others along the way.

Outside the conference rooms, the Solomon Islands became a classroom in itself.

Visits to Parliament House and the National Museum offered a deeper appreciation of the country's governance, history and cultural heritage, while the hike to Tenaru Falls challenged delegates to step outside their comfort zones. Coming from Nauru's unique landscape, experiencing lush rainforest and cascading waterfalls was both unfamiliar and unforgettable, highlighting the incredible diversity that exists across the Pacific.
Another highlight was visiting Amazing Grace Farms, where delegates met a local family who had built a thriving cocoa business through determination, resilience and hard work. Learning about their journey reinforced the value of perseverance and demonstrated how entrepreneurship can strengthen communities and create opportunities for future generations.

The summit also challenged delegates to turn ideas into action.

Working alongside teammates from Papua New Guinea and the Solomon Islands, Eirububwin helped develop a proposal for a Youth Entrepreneur Workshop aimed at addressing youth unemployment by equipping young people with practical business skills and mentorship. Their idea was selected as the winning project, but the recognition represented more than an award—it sparked a commitment to continue working together to bring the initiative to life beyond the summit.
The experience also created opportunities that extended beyond the summit program itself. During the week, Eirububwin was invited to appear as a guest on the Not Just Leadership podcast, where she shared her experiences and reflected on the opportunities and challenges facing young people in Nauru. The conversation strengthened her confidence as a public speaker and reinforced the importance of ensuring Pacific youth voices are heard in regional conversations.

Equally valuable were the friendships formed throughout the week. Through PAYA's regional network, Eirububwin connected with young leaders from across the Pacific whose experiences, perspectives and aspirations reflected the strength of regional collaboration. Those relationships continue beyond the summit, creating opportunities to learn from one another and work together on initiatives that benefit communities across the Pacific.

Looking back, the summit became far more than a week of workshops and activities. It was an experience that strengthened Eirububwin's confidence, broadened her perspective and reinforced her belief that meaningful leadership begins with service and grows through collaboration.

As she returns to Nauru, she carries with her new ideas, lasting friendships and a renewed commitment to creating opportunities for young people at home. Inspired by the connections made through PAYA and the lessons learned in Honiara, she hopes to continue working alongside partners and fellow young leaders to empower others and contribute to a more connected and resilient Pacific.

Because leadership is not simply about reaching the destination.

Sometimes, it is about creating the pathway for others to follow.