International Youth Day

Youth leading the way in COVID-19 solutions

“Young people have been frontline responders to the COVID-19 pandemic, mobilising across the world. They are health workers, activists, innovators and social and community workers,” said UNFPA Executive Director Dr. Natalia Kanem on August 12th.

“To reach and engage young people during this pandemic, we must share information, clarify misinformation and we must equip them to take action to contain the spread of the virus. We must validate the leadership of young people and uphold their human rights.

Tongan youth add their voices to Sustainable Development Goals discussions

In Tonga, youth make up an increasingly large proportion of the population. According to the 2011 Census, 19 percent of Tonga’s population were between the ages of 15 to 24. Using the local definition of youth, 15 to 29 years-old, in 2015, at least 30 percent of the population are youth.

SPC focus on improving prospects for Pacific youths

The Pacific Youth Development Framework targets some familiar areas - health, employment, governance and the environment - with the aim of raising standards and increasing involvement by young people themselves.

Mereia Carling, Human Development Advisor with SPC, says youth took part in drafting the framework, and they hope their new approach will be more effective than previous efforts.