Seven out of 10 Solomon Islanders are under 30 years old - and 80 percent of the population live in rural areas. These are just two facts that show a lot about the county's youth and their role in peace- and nation-building. In 2022, focusing on bridging the gap between traditional governance and the statutory system, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), in partnership with World Vision, has launched a new peacebuilding project for youth in Rennell and Bellona.

Young people in Solomon Islands are critical to achieving the country’s Development Strategy and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. They are at the forefront of activism, and as catalysts for change, young people often make demands and call attention to inequalities making those in power uncomfortable.

For Tamatama, (tamata refers to youth from Rennell and Bellona local language) the main barriers to dispute resolution come from the inherent vulnerability of simply being a young person, as often, these disputes are led by community leaders, village chiefs, and church leaders that usually lack representation of young voices.

Knowing the bylaws and their customary land rights is essential for tamatama and the country’s future. A series of workshops and consultations to reach out to young people, local chiefs and leaders were held by bridging traditional governance and the rule of law through youths’ participation as agents of peace and change in Rennell and Bellona project supported by the UN Peacebuilding Fund. To ensure everyone equally participates in the process, the project hosted a series of dialogues in both capitals of Rennell and Bellona Province, as well as Honiara-based leaders.

Being the second remote province in the country, Rennell and Bellona youth – tamatama - is faced with discrimination, lack of information, and entrenched inequalities, and the recent rise in logging activities, land disputes, and drug abuse show that intervention is needed in this province.

Through the revitalization of the provincial youth council, youth from different wards came forward in a safe space to share personal and community issues and seek solutions. That is where we met Mr. Warren Teho, one of the participants of the revitalization programme.

The 34-year-old was quick to talk about how in the future, he sees young people to be better involved in community dialogues. “This one-week workshop plays a very significant role in the community's lives, especially bringing the gap and passing the knowledge between youth and elderly in the province. Such events help to hear the voices of young people and build an inclusive and strong country where everyone is part of the dialogue.”

Mr Teho, a youth activist, focuses on youth rights and access to land and natural resources. While speaking about the importance of managing natural resources sustainably and their availability for future generations, he noted that “failing to do so would not only affect the livelihoods of future generations. Urgent action is needed now to ensure that the resources we have enjoyed can also benefit the next generation.”

Young people like Warren now have the words and tools to help other young people know their land rights and guide the dialogue with the local chiefs. Globally, UNDP implements youth empowerment and peacebuilding projects and works to advance young people’s participation in civic and political life, their economic empowerment and their role as peace- and resilience-builders.

UNDP and World Vision, in partnership with Development Exchange Service, and with financial support from the UN Peacebuilding Fund, implement the Bridging traditional governance and the rule of law through youths’ participation as agents of peace and change in Rennell and Bellona project to utilize young people’s potential as agents of change.

*Tamatama refers to youth from Rennell and Bellona local language.