Youth council works for regional inclusion

The Pacific Youth Council (PYC), created in 1996, brings together regional groups to ensure young people are included in decision-making processes and have their voices heard at the regional level. It has been working to integrate youth perspectives into policies that affect them across the Pacific.

New delegate joins the council

Daniel Hama, a 28-year-old delegate from Lifou, has been representing his region since being elected two months ago. He works with the other 18 regional representatives under the leadership of Mahoney Mori, who has been the PYC president since 2024.

Youth policy discussions underway

Hama recently met with Norman Kalotiti, president of the Vanuatu National Youth Council, to exchange ideas about their youth policy model. The PYC delegates meet with other youth representatives and government ministers to present their demands and help shape policies that better meet their needs.

Youth participation in ministerial meetings

Meetings of Pacific Youth ministers are major events for the delegates. The next such meeting is set for December 10 and 11 in Samoa, where youth representatives will sit with ministers and take part in discussions that directly affect them.

Youth empowerment plan in development

The PYC is leading the Youth Empowerment Plan 2027-2036, which has been shaped since 2024 with input from national youth councils, ministries, and regional groups. The plan is built around seven key areas, including education, health, climate change, and leadership, and is expected to be approved during the Ministers of Youth meeting.

Focus on Kanak youth and workforce reintegration

Hama stressed the importance of sharing knowledge about Kanak and Oceanic identity and helping young people, especially Kanak, reenter the workforce. He pointed out that 90% of those in Camp-Est, a detention center, are young Kanak, a situation he called abnormal and in need of urgent action.

Addressing youth left behind

Gabriella McMahon, a social inclusion advisor at the Pacific Community (CPS), said that while the PYC has made progress, more needs to be done to include young people who are often overlooked, such as those in rural areas or facing challenges like disability, gender issues, or limited internet access.

History of the regional youth council

The idea of a regional youth council first appeared in the mid-1970s, as national youth councils tried to create a shared structure. Although an early attempt in 1975 failed, the PYC was finally established in 1996. It was initially based in Nouméa, under the South Pacific Commission, and later moved its secretariat to Fiji.