Auki, Solomon Islands – More than 30 provincial and ward young leaders took part in the peacebuilding and anti-corruption linking to natural resources workshop to learn about the core elements of corruption and good governance and how they related to peacebuilding and natural resources management.

The four-day workshop serves as a learning platform for young people: the participants had a chance to learn the ways to fight corruption, links between natural resources (land and forestry), and, the ways to advancing the Youth, Peace, and Security agenda in the Solomon Islands.  Moreover, young leaders will be given the opportunity to discuss and exchange their experience on how to make leaders more transparent and accountable to natural resources management.

Land security and corruption defeat are significant concerns from a national planning point of view. Youth engagement remains low in negotiating processes, yet the government actively supports young people and provides them with various opportunities for making their views known and heard. Engaging young leaders is intrinsically linked to the realization of inclusive growth and natural resource governance.

Throughout this week, youths will gain knowledge and understanding of the Acts and Regulation on natural resources enabling them to assist their community leaders in managing their resources well.

Furthermore, the peacebuilding and anti-corruption linking to natural resources workshop provides youth with a unique opportunity to take a stand, empower people of their community, and make the Solomon Islands a strong, peaceful, and corruption-free country. The participants had a chance to communicate with the British High Commissioner Dr. Brian Jones and Deputy Secretary to the Prime Minister Dr. Derick Mane who were also present on the first day of the workshop.

UNDP Solomon Islands Country Manager Mr. Berdi Berdiyev stated, “The way we engage young people today will determine the prospects for sustainable development and peace.”

Mr. Berdiyev further stated that utilizing young people’s potential as agents of change requires involving and empowering them in development, policies, and supporting their participation at all levels. He urged the youths to put their ideas and energy into good use with other youths as peace and resilience-builders.

This workshop will enable youths to establish strategic linkages with relevant organizations which could lead to increased learning, capacity development, and also resource mobilization opportunities a capacity development. Besides, the participants were expected to develop a meaningful and useable plan to guide their activities, advocacy, and support to youths on natural resources management.

Malaita Province’s Provincial Secretary Mr. Fredrick Fa’abasu, during his opening speech, claimed that it is time for youth to be included in all decision-making processes on natural resources, “History tells us that the development of resources that did not include youths ended up in destruction. Young people make up 40 percent of Malaita’s population, and their inclusion is important.”

With the 2030 Agenda as a guiding thread, UNDP works to advance young people’s participation in civic and political life, their economic empowerment and their role as peace- and resilience-builders.

The workshop which will end on Friday 20 November, was conducted with the support of the Ministry of Lands, Housing and Survey by the Inclusive Governance of Natural Resources (IGNR) Project implemented by UNDP Solomon Islands and UN Women with the financial support of the United Nations Peacebuilding Fund.

Contact information:

Anastasiia Tiurmenko, Communications Specialist – Inclusive Governance of Natural Resources Project, UNDP Solomon Islands, anastasiia.tiurmenko@undp.org;