National Capital District Youth Summit and Expo 2024
As a participant of NCDC Inaugural Youth Summit 2024, it has been a wonderful experience to participate in the youth led first ever meeting as such in Papua New Guinea (PNG). It was a very interesting, informative and successful Summit hosted by the office of NCDC Governor and Youth/Young Leaders as the organizing committees for the summit.
From the Summit, so much new information, knowledge, ideas and even skills were learnt from people of various walks of life and field of expertise that were able to share the work they do to empower youths. There were panel discussions, workshops/labs, Interactive sessions (Idea Pads), press conference to very high-quality presentations and exhibition booths. It was really a great privileged to have listened as well to very prominent people in NCDC and PNG. The following summarizes the activities of 3 days summit at APEC Haus apart from 2 days (weekend) at Sir Hubert Murray Stadium.
PAYA's Information Booth setup at Sir Hubert Murray Stadium on Sunday 11th August 2024
High Prominent Speakers/VIP
These were the high prominent speakers or guests of honor that had turned up to deliver key note address to high level quality presentations from their respective offices including stakeholders;
The Prime Minister of Independent State of PNG
NCDC Governor - Hon Powes Parkop
National Development Authority – The Deputy Director General – Operations
UN Resident Coordinator – Dr Richard Howard
Leading Anthropologist of PNG – Dr Andrew Moutu
NCDC Youth Coordinator – Mr Rex Buka
US Ambassador to PNG, Solomon Islands and Vanuatu – H.E Anne Marie Yatishock
Founder of CPL – Sir Manesh Patel
Secretary for Department of Information & Communication Technology – Mr Steven Matainaho
Department of Higher Education Research Science & Technology Secretary – Fr Jan Czuba
Australian Deputy High Commissioner – Dr Joan Loundes
Panel Discussions
Making up another important component/program/session of the summit are the Panel Discussions. There were about four Panel Discussions held around the topics of;
Panel Discussion 1: Quality Education for all youths in NCDC and PNG facilitated by NCD TVET, NCD Provisional Education Advocacy Network & DHERST.
Panel Discussion 2: Empowering Youths for Sustainable Cities – Inclusive Growth and Decent Work Opportunities facilitated by representative of TVET, Pacific Australia labor Mobility, WokRedi Solutions & Moderated by NCDC UYEP Deputy manager.
Panel Discussion 3: Voice of the Agent of Change: Youth Civic Engagement for Peaceful and Inclusive Society was facilitated by representative of Transparency International, PNG Electoral Commission, PNG Scout Association moderated by YWAM Outreach Coordinator.
Panel Discussion 4: Healthy Minds and Healthy Lives was facilitated by reps of LYKES PNG (NGO), Active City Program, NCDC Sports and Y-PEER PNG.
Thematic Areas for Group Discussions
There were four thematic areas that youths were able to group themselves to attend one session on which thematic area of their interest is that was spread over the 3 days.
Thematic Area 1: Youth for Sustainable Development & Environmental Protection facilitated by LYKES PNG.
Thematic Area 2: Empowering Youths for Quality Learning Opportunities facilitated by UNICEF PNG, TVET & NCDC Provincial Education.
Thematic Area 3: Youth as Human Capital – Creating Inclusive & Accessible Opportunities through Technology & Innovation (Digital Monetization/Online Entrepreneurship) facilitated by UNFPA, PNG Scouts, NYDA & DICT.
Thematic Area 4: Youth Driving Gender Equality & Women Empowerment by UN Women - Thematic Area 5. Health for All – An Agenda for the Youth facilitated by UNFPA, Mariestopes & Y-PEER.
Thematic Area 6: Sports as catalyst for Development and Change facilitated by UN Women, NCDC Sports Desk, PNG Sports Foundation.
Group 2 of the three groups that discussed around the Quality of Education & Culture, session facilitated by UNICEF during Day 1 of Summit.
Other presentations
Other presentations include;
Idea Pad (Turning ideas into reality)
NLP Smart Goals and Rapport Building through body Language
Presentation of Youth statement to the Youths and NCDC Governors Office
Closing Ceremony
Highlight/Outcome
All in all, the three days summit was a success, through discussions, youths were able to identify key issue areas that most youths faced these days not only in NCD but right across the country – Substance Abuse, Mental Health issues, Lack of Employment Opportunities, Limited/Inequal Education Opportunities for education, violences of all forms and types and proposed solution ideas. Youths were also able to present their proposed solution ideas to themselves (with copy of these to be submitted to NCDC Governors Office).
Challenges
Although the 3 days summit was a perfect summit hosted by NCDC Governor for NCDC youths, as a participant of the summit, it is suggested that a similar youth engagements platform/avenue as such must be held in all other provinces of PNG so to promote youth inclusiveness, mindset transformation and moreover engaging youths in making wise decisions. The future of the nation is upon these current youths which makes up 60% of the 12 milion population.
Future Prospect
In the concluding speech of the host (Governor Powes Parkop), the summit is to be hosted annually during the World Youth Week. It was also proposed that all provinces in the country should thereby host similar summit/gathering for the purpose of addressing youths’ issues by youths for youths and that is to be supported by all Youth Development Offices.
Another future plan mentioned is to build/create youth hub for all youths in the Capital District to have equal access to all information, services and opportunities.
Last but not the least, the office of Governor is open to accept all youth queries, initiatives, youth programs and other youth engagement activities that promote youth empowerment as also mentioned by Governor Powes in his concluding remarks.
PAYA Volunteer and Representative Aileen Zuhukepe
Acknowledgement
It is a wonderful privilege given to take part in this NCDC Youth Summit & Expo by the Pacific Australia Youth Association (PAYA PNG through Co-CEO Ms Phillie Julai and Co-CEO Mr McCarthy). Warmth gratitude to NCDC Governor and His Office including Organizing Committees (Mr Vernon Gawi and team) and all Government & Non-Government Organizations. All in all, thanks to five participants team (Andrew, Rogers, Nathalia and Nathaniel including a volunteer Jameson Yembinaro of SMHS UPNG) for their support towards the Expo on Weekend and 3 days summit as PAYA representatives.
Written by Aileen Zuhukepe - PAYA Member from Papua New Guinea
