What hinders youth participation in Pacific communities?

"Youth across the Pacific are already leading change - but structures and systems need to catch up" See report 👇

Australia has over three million young people aged 15–24. They are a pivotal part of our communities and yet young people are talked about often, but rarely listened to. The Australian Youth Affairs Coalition has released a new report that changes that. It draws directly on the perspectives of over 1,000 young people from across the country, including First Nations, LGBTQ+, young people with disability, and those living in tough circumstances. What they shared is clear: - Inequality and intergenerational wealth gaps weigh heavily on them. - Discrimination and exclusion remain everyday realities. - They want meaningful ways to participate in democracy, not token invitations. - They see fairness, respect for diversity, and equity as the foundation of social cohesion. The report also highlights practical steps, from embedding youth impact assessments in government policy, to valuing youth work, to raising income support above the poverty line. If we want a fair and cohesive Australia, young people need more than promises. They need to be at the table, shaping the solutions. Check out this great report - lnkd.in/dRvJ-2EG And the insights the wonderful Prof Philippa Collin shared on how to apply these findings today -https://lnkd.in/gJCnr8zU Congrats Jo Siejka Rostami, Dean Farquhar, Nellie Wotherspoon, Stassi Austin, Lucas Walsh, Shannon White, Caitlin Figueiredo, Jemma Rule, Maia Giordano, Dr Jane Hickey on this great report. #youth #youthparticipation #youthinclusion #decisionmaking #policy #inequality #housingaffordability #youthwork #poverty

🌍 Why Strong Youth Policy Matters 🌍 A strong youth policy is not a luxury, it is a necessity. It ensures that education prepares us for the future, that employment opportunities are within reach, that health systems prioritize young lives, and that participation is not symbolic but meaningful. The numbers speak for themselves: Nearly 20% of young people (15–24) globally are not in education, employment, or training (NEET)—two-thirds of them are women. Youth unemployment is nearly three times higher than adult unemployment worldwide. In the Commonwealth, where 60% of the population is under 30, the absence of strong youth policy means silencing the majority from shaping the very future they will inherit. Without intentional youth policy, gaps widen and opportunities slip away. It is not enough to have rhetoric; we need systems that are inclusive, evidence-based, and sustainable. Youth must be treated not as passive beneficiaries, but as equal partners in shaping education reforms, economic opportunities, climate action, and governance. The Commonwealth carries both a responsibility and an opportunity: with such a high proportion of its population under 30, its policies must reflect the needs and aspirations of its youth. Otherwise, the demographic dividend risks being lost. As Nelson Mandela reminded us: “The youth of today are the leaders of tomorrow.” But that tomorrow is not guaranteed unless policies place young people at the center. Strong youth policy is not just about protecting a generation—it is about unleashing the greatest force for progress we have. When youth are equipped, included, and trusted, they don’t just change their own lives, they transform societies. #YouthPolicy #YouthLeadership #YouthEmpowerment #GlobalYouth #YouthInGovernance #EducationReform #FutureOfWork #YouthVoices #DemographicDividend #SustainableDevelopment #SocialImpact #PolicyMatters #CommonwealthYouth #LeadershipForChange

Investing in young people means investing in our shared future. Yesterday, Member States and youth delegates joined an online briefing on the Pact for the Future’s commitments to youth. Organized by the United Nations Youth Office, with opening remarks from Felipe Paullier Olivera, Assistant Secretary-General for Youth Affairs, youth representative Shannon Eileen Lisa and Themba Kalua, Director for the Team for Pact Implementation, the session presented the UN’s progress on three core deliverables from the Pact for the Future: ✔ A paper outlining possible modalities for a Global Youth Investment Platform – a catalytic, rights-based mechanism to channel flexible financing to youth-led solutions of all sizes, from grassroots initiatives to multi-country efforts. ✔ Expanded plans for the UN Youth Fund – raising awareness and mobilizing contributions to support broader, more geographically balanced youth participation in UN activities. ✔ A set of Core Principles for Meaningful Youth Participation – establishing rights-based standards to ensure youth engagement is safe, inclusive, representative and adequately resourced across UN decision-making. The session was not only about sharing updates – it was also a chance for Member States to give feedback and shape the way forward. As Director for Pact Implementation, Themba Kalua, emphasized: “Youth are not just central to one chapter of the Pact. Their voices and contributions are indispensable across every chapter. As we collectively build the UN of tomorrow, we must do so with young people every step of the way.” #PactForTheFuture #Youth #SDGs #GlobalGoals

Understanding Vulnerable Populations Through Social Research When we talk about vulnerable populations women, children, refugees, persons with disabilities, marginalized or under-represented communities it’s easy to be overwhelmed by statistics. But real change doesn’t happen by just counting. It happens by listening. By understanding the lived realities behind the numbers. INSIGHT&SOCIAL, we believe social research must go beyond the headlines. Through a combination of quantitative data and qualitative insight, we map exclusion. We uncover voices often missing from official narratives street children, undocumented migrants, rural minorities. We enable them to tell their stories, to influence policy, to shape programs that address their needs. Research is only powerful when it is ethical, inclusive, and participatory. By letting community members themselves participate in research, by tracking progress transparently, and by using innovative methods responsibly, we ensure interventions are not just well-intentioned but truly effective. If you're passionate about designing impact with integrity, this article is for you. Read it here: 🔗 https://lnkd.in/eaGQYrq4 #SocialResearch #VulnerablePopulations #Inclusion #Equity #ParticipatoryResearch #MarginalizedVoices #ImpactfulData

Don’t discount the littlest voices in your organization’s strategy. Understanding youth engagement is critical to sustainable missions. They are more informed than ever and want to be involved in shaping their future.

4. You can’t engage young people without empowering them because engagement without empowerment is extraction. From a development perspective, youth empowerment must be multidimensional. Economic empowerment provides access to livelihoods, financial literacy, and pathways to dignified work. Social empowerment builds confidence, agency, and psychosocial resilience, enabling young people to participate meaningfully in civic life. Network empowerment connects them to peers, mentors, and institutions, strengthening their social capital and positioning them as actors within broader governance and development systems. In practice, these three dimensions create a multiplier effect. Economic stability enhances confidence. Social agency fuels advocacy. Strong networks amplify influence. Together, they move young people from symbolic participation to structural inclusion where they are not just consulted but embedded in decision-making processes. This integrated empowerment model is one I have applied across my work in conflict-affected contexts: equipping youth with livelihoods, building safe spaces for dialogue, and strengthening platforms that link them to policymakers. The outcome is not just empowered individuals, but resilient ecosystems where youth leadership becomes self-sustaining. #YouthEmerge 🚀 #YouthEmpowerment #SystemsThinking #YouthEngagement #Leadership

Week 2: Building Inclusion (Equality) The goal for this week is to explore how equal access to opportunities and resources can break the poverty cycle. Day 14: Reflection: Based on this week’s discussions, what equality-focused measures would you include in your action plan? Based on this week's discussions, here are some equality-focused measures that I include in my action plan: Policy Reforms 1. Inclusive policies: Develop and implement policies that promote equal access to education, healthcare, and economic opportunities. 2. Anti-discrimination laws: Strengthen laws and regulations to prevent discrimination based on gender, race, ethnicity, disability, or other factors. Access to Resources 1. Education and skills training: Provide equal access to quality education and skills training programs. 2. Financial inclusion: Increase access to financial services, such as microfinance and savings programs. 3. Healthcare access: Ensure equal access to quality healthcare services. Social Protection 1. Social safety nets: Implement social safety nets, such as cash transfers or food assistance, to support vulnerable populations. 2. Support for marginalized groups: Provide targeted support for marginalized groups, such as women, youth, and people with disabilities. Community Engagement 1. Community participation: Encourage community participation in decision-making processes. 2. Awareness-raising: Conduct awareness-raising campaigns to promote equality and inclusion. Monitoring and Evaluation 1. Data collection: Collect data to track progress on equality-focused initiatives. 2. Impact assessment: Conduct regular impact assessments to evaluate the effectiveness of equality-focused measures. By incorporating these equality-focused measures into an action plan, individuals and organizations can help promote equal access to opportunities and resources, ultimately contributing to breaking the poverty cycle. #EqualityForAll #MakeADifference #SocialChange #SocialJustice

What does civic participation of youth really require? Check out UNICEF's latest discussion paper which explores regional challenges and opportunities.

Since 2018, the MultiChoice Talent Factory (MTF) has been investing in youth through its academy, masterclasses, and alumni network — equipping aspiring filmmakers with the skills, knowledge, and community they need to succeed. The celebration of the UN’s International Youth Day highlights the importance of empowering young people to drive change and shape the future. This year’s theme, Local Youth Actions for the SDGs and Beyond, reflects the very essence of MTF: nurturing creativity, activating talent, and building networks that transform global ambitions into community-driven impact. Through MTF, MultiChoice continues to contribute directly and indirectly to several Sustainable Development Goals, particularly SDGs 1 (No Poverty), 4 (Quality Education), 5 (Gender Equality), 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth), and 10 (Reduced Inequalities). Local youth action is central to national growth and global progress, and the MultiChoice Talent Factory remains committed to providing opportunities that allow Africa’s youth to lead with creativity and purpose. This impact video is a snapshot of that journey — a story of how business, when driven by purpose, can positively change lives. Belated Happy International Youth Day to all young people across Africa. #InternationalYouthDay #IYD2025 #SDG #SustainableDevelopmentGoals #NoPoverty #QualityEducation #GenderEquality #ReducedInequalities #DecentWorkAndEconomicGrowth #MultiChoiceTalentFactory #MTF