IT is anticipated that the 3-tier policy framework of the Ministry of Women, Youth, Children and Family Affairs (MWYCFA) will provide the platform to link youth empowerment programmes.

The 3-tier policy framework is the new National Youth Policy (NYP), Strategic Framework for Youth Development in Solomon Islands (SFYDSI) and the proposed National Youth Employment Strategy (NYES).

Permanent Secretary Ms. Ethel Sigimanu of the MWYCFA, told participants and stakeholders present during the official opening of the national dialogue at the Heritage Park Hotel yesterday that the dialogue will ensure programmes carried out by various stakeholders and partners will ensure maximum benefit for youths.

“However, to be effective, we will need to take a whole of Government and whole of society approach that demonstrates a ‘many partners and one team’ way of working,” she said.

The PS added that such an approach is very important because youth issues and challenges as is well known cannot be tackled in silos and through fragmented and isolated interventions.

She further added that if youth development is to be meaningful to young people and to the growth of the nation, we will require sustained, concerted and coordinated action based on a common vision and supported by an integrated strategy that will be able to be spoken in one voice and owned.

“I note with much keenness that the dialogue also offers opportunity for my Ministry to seek feedback on key priorities and initiatives that the division will focus on this year,” PS Sigimanu said.

She then added that this initiative is a good sharing of resources and a way in which others can take the opportunity to contribute to women’s issues and concerns.

“When we talk women, we are actually talking about young women, and young adolescent girls as well, hence your feedback will be of critical importance,” the PS strongly stated.