SPEECH BY HONOURABLE ALFRED S. SASAKO
MINISTER OF STATE ASSISTING THE PRIME MINISTER,
REPUBLIC OF SOLOMON ISLANDS

10/08/1998

I join other distinguished delegates to the World Conference of Ministers Responsible for Youth in thanking our host, the Government and people of the Republic of Portugal for the kind hospitality extended to my delegation. The organization is nothing short of splendid. I must thank everyone involved. It is with utmost privilege and honour to be here amongst our world leaders today. I bring greetings from my Government and people of my country Solomon Islands to you.

May I take this opportunity to thank the Government of the Republic of Portugal for their initiative in proposing and hosting this very important conference; a conference of international and global significance.

May I also place on record my Government's gratitude to the United Nations and other UN agencies for their cooperative collaboration with the Government of Portugal to make it a reality this World Conference of Ministers Responsible for Youth.

Mr. President

I would also like to, welcome what seems to me to be an overwhelming response from countries represented here today. Again this signifies to me, and reflects a conference of global concern and prominence.

Perhaps the most crucial and pressing questions to address today is the youth. It must be addressed in the perspective of present socio- economic and political environment. Youth accounts for the majority of the world's population. It has potential to change the world as well as the potential to destroy it. Yet it is the leadership, the not so young, who decide on the plight of youths.

Mr. President

The Government of Solomon Islands, which I represent in this very important Conference today, came into power a year ago this month on the platform of Change. Our Theme was and still is, It's Time to Change.

Perhaps until now youth and issues affecting them have been put on the back burner. We do not have to look far to see that. In their quest for love and recognition, they wear new hairstyle, hot of the factory clothing and so on. The youth of today must be given the recognition they deserve, because after all, they too want to be given an opportunity to make a contribution to society.

Separated from this living and work setting, the youth's circle of possible friends and acquaintances will continue to dwindle; for already we are faced with the issue of the youth being a marginalized and vulnerable segment of society.

In this honorable conference, we will be drawing on similar comparisons about youth and youth movements and to identify common problem areas.

Mr. President

I hasten to suggest that there are youth problems than is content to simply speak about issues concerning the youth. Problems can be solved when we identify and establish the defects or causes. With the youth, problems are almost a paradox. It is inextricably interwoven with diverse challenges both modem and current.

It is my plea that we must try to understand the root causes of the so- called problems so that we are able to prescribe cures. We find the symptoms so that we may apply diagnosis.

I come from a country with a population of about 400,000 people. Of this, 75% are made up of people below the age of 30 years. We are a very dynamic and youthful population and by far one of the fastest growing in the Southem Hemisphere. Our present population growth rate is 3.5% p.a.

Mr. President

Solomon Islands Government places very high priority on the development of our young people, realizing that they are the stakeholders in the future success of our nation.

It has committed itself to the cause of youth development by providing resources and necessary support mechanisms in the promotion, implementation and monitoring of its policies.

Through the support of key institutions such as the Commonwealth Regional Youth Center in the South Pacific (which incidentally my Govemment is very proud to host), our Ministry of Youth, Women and Sports have produced a Draft National Youth Policy for Solomon Islands. It is a document That reflects the importance the Solomon Islands Government attaches to youth development.

The policy is designed to prepare the young people of Solomon Islands for the next millenium. It targets:

- Creation of separate bureau for the youth.

- Step coordination and consultative provisions within government, ministries, NGOs and churches.

- Revitalize and equip National Youth Congress. Promote unity in diversity in a multi- ethnical, cultural, linguistic, spiritual, social and geographical composed community.

- Provide training and employment opportunities.

- Develop curriculum framework as guideline for Christian youth groups. Continue to build and improve on health facilities, sports and recreation.

- Initiate Youth Entrepreneurship Schemes. Enforce law and order.

Youth Empowerment through accessing youths to skills and knowhow; information, resources and to decision making processes which affect them.

Mr. President; Distinguished Delegates

These strategies are not confined to Solomon Islands just as the issues of youth problems are world over. As we come to witness today, the ever growing significance of youth and youth responsibilities pull us together to sound out in this international forum what we must and can do together as copartners in formulating and implementing youth policies.

The UN and other international agencies have a crucial role to play. We must together intensify efforts and take actions towards international co- operation for the social wellbeing of the young; our global reservoir of energy waiting to be tapped and unleashed.

Distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen, thank you for your time.