Youth Leadership Summit

Enhancing youth collaboration across the Pacific-Australia region

Every year, we bring together young leaders from across Australia and the Pacific to build their leadership skills, understand our shared challenges and harness their potential for increased youth collaboration.

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YLS 2024 - Nauru

Themes:

Entrepreneurship | Sustainability | Health | Sport |

Good Governance | Faith | Culture | Education

For the third edition of PAYA's Youth Leadership Summit, we headed to the world's smallest country, the Republic of Nauru. Following the success of our previous Summits in New Caledonia (Melanesia) and Tonga (Polynesia), we were pleased to bring this flagship initiative to Micronesia. Led by our 6-person Local Summit Coordinating Committee made up of local Nauruan young leaders, the Youth Leadership Summit Nauru was centred on eight key themes. Throughout the three and a half days, the 25 delegates participated in interactive workshop sessions led by Nauru Language Committee, Nauru Electoral Commission, Nauru Chamber of Commerce, Australian High Commission in Nauru, Nauru Restoration Generation. Other activities included visits to local cultural and historical sites, as well as a fishing trip around the island. During the opening ceremony, delegates witnessed local cultural performances, whilst the closing ceremony dinner was accompanied by tunes from the Nauru Police Force Brass Brand. Thank you to all our partners, stakeholders and volunteers, including the NCP Alumni Program, for their support.

You can view some of our delegate testimonials below from 2022-2023 or complete the form to receive the 2023 Summit Report. Stay tuned for the 2024 Summit Report!

Delegate Testimonials

  • "My experience attending the Youth Leadership Summit in Nuku'alofa was truly amazing. The summit brought together young, talented leaders from across the Australia-Pacific region, and provided us with an opportunity to connect and share our experiences and ideas."

    Nuku’alofa 2023

  • "I had an incredible time during PAYA’s first ever Inaugural Youth Leadership Summit in Noumea. Not only did I get to make amazing connections with likeminded youths from all over the Pacific. I was also grateful for the discussion sessions PAYA organised with SPC and the Province Sud where we get to hear and discuss with fellow high achieving Pacific Islanders."

    Nouméa 2022

  • "Overall the summit was great, interesting, and very educational. I learned a lot through the summit, which now put me in a better place to expand my reach and do more in the youth development space through my line of work. Big thank you to the PAYA core team for putting up this magnificent event. God bless everyone."

    Nuku’alofa 2023

  • "Participating in an event of this magnitude has made me aware of the opportunities that exist in our environment in all areas of development. This summit's goal is to bring together young people … to meet and learn about other cultures and territories. I express my gratitude and appreciation to the entire PAYA Summit team."

    Nouméa 2022

  • "Do it! If you want to immerse yourself in the Pacific while engaging with delegates from all over the region then this is the Summit for you!"

    Nuku’alofa 2023

  • "Join The Youth Leadership Summit. It's a great opportunity to immerse yourself in a unique experience of personal growth, cultural exchange, and community building, while connecting with inspiring young leaders from across the region."

    Nouméa 2022

  • "Many thanks to all of you! You've motivated me to become a young leader in my community, and to inspire other young people to do the same. At first I didn't know anyone, but I came home with 42 more friends. I'm so grateful. Malo ‘aupito, Ofa atu"

    Nuku’alofa 2023

  • "It was an absolutely amazing experience, I loved every minute of it. All the activities were so well-thought out and I got so much out of it."

    Nouméa 2022

  • "I realized that as an islander, there is a world of connections, experiences and projects right there, waiting to happen. I can't wait to keep exploring!"

    Nuku’alofa 2023

  • "The PAYA conference is wonderful opportunity for those looking to dip their toes into working cross-culturally in the Pacific. I encourage those interested in Pacific work to apply, especially Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people because we need to play a larger role in the Pacific."

    Nouméa 2022

  • "The Youth Leadership Summit held in Nuku'alofa, Tonga in 2023, organized by PAYA, was an incredibly inspiring experience. I had the chance to connect with like-minded individuals from across the Australia-Pacific region and develop my leadership skills in a supportive environment. I am eagerly looking forward to seeing what PAYA has in store for their future events!"

    Nuku’alofa 2023

  • "The 2022 Summit brought together some of the best and brightest youth leaders from across the Pacific region. In attending, I gained unique insights, learned new skills, and created life-long friendships. I would strongly recommend applying for the Summit in 2023."

    Nouméa 2022

Interested in YLS 2025?