Urgent attention is required to address issues affecting the country’s youth population because the current situation is like a ‘time bomb’ if left unattended.
The Governor General, His Excellency Sir David Tiva Kapu (GCMG) issued the call In his King’s Birthday speech on Friday.
Sir David warned that the problems encountered by the youth population are alarming, stating that the time for attention is overdue and the country must act swiftly to address youth issues.
He warned that if not nurtured well, it will become problematic for the nation’s economic development aspirations and our pursuit of unity and harmony.
Sir David noted that it is not difficult to identify the problems faced by our youth today because most of us, encountered and lived with the challenges and difficulties of our youth in our communities.
“If we do not address and deal with the problems facing our youth, it will become a time bomb that will explode in the not-too-distant future,” the Governor General warned.
Sir David noted that in May alone, the media reported disturbing news about violence, brutal killings, rape, use of drugs, and lawless behaviors and actions by youths.
Since Independence, our successive governments have placed youth development as a priority in their policies, such as the ‘1980 National Parliament White Paper on Youth’ and the ‘1988 Guiding Principles for Youth Development’, which are still relevant to our youth today.
In 2007, the Government incorporated the Youth Development Division within the Ministry of Women, Youth, Children and Family Affairs, which still exists today.
Regardless of all these policies and strategies, the country still experiences the same challenges and issues faced by youths today.
“The challenges faced by our youth are real, and we cannot afford to do things as ‘business as usual’ in addressing these challenges. We must all be proactive to take the necessary steps to address the policy objectives and strategies articulated by the government to achieve the dreams of our youth,” Sir David said.
Sir David said that Youth development and empowerment are everybody’s business, and called on government ministries, the private sector, churches, NGOs, civil society organisations, development partners, tribes, and families to work together in addressing youth challenges.
“We cannot treat the growing lawlessness, violence, hostility, and drug abuse by our youth as normal social issues. Our youth are the future of this country, and we must all take the responsibility to develop and empower them so that their dreams can be realized in the future,” Sir David said.
In Solomon Islands, youth is defined as a person between the ages of 15 and 34 years of age, with almost 70 percent of the population below the age of 34 years, with the highest population growth rate of 2.5% in the Pacific Region.
