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As the 53rd Pacific Islands Forum Leaders’ Meeting approaches, a youth-led initiative is gaining traction in Tonga ahead of the Pacific Peoples’ Forum at the Moulton Hall. Themed “Recasting the Net”, the initiative aims to bring together young people to shape a sustainable future for the region through collaboration, understanding and a shared vision.
Yesterday, youth leaders from across the Pacific gathered at Moulton Hall to advocate for policies and practices that address pressing environmental and social challenges facing their communities. They stressed the importance of active participation in shaping the region’s development, particularly through the Blue Pacific Continent 2050 Strategy.
Vanessa Lolohea, Director of the Tonga National Youth Congress (TNYC), stressed the importance of the conference as an opportunity to learn and engage. She said young people have the energy, creativity and enthusiasm necessary to drive positive change.
“By working together, we can forge a path towards meaningful change that reflects our shared aspirations as Pacific youth,” Lolohia said.
She encouraged participants to embrace the opportunity with an open mind, urging them to cast their nets anew—not only in terms of ideas, but also in terms of making connections across cultures and backgrounds.
Emeline Ilolahia, Executive Director of the Pacific Islands Association of Non-Governmental Organizations (PIANGO), also spoke at the event, focusing on the role of civil society organizations (CSOs) and the critical involvement of youth in the 2050 Strategy. Her speech stressed the importance of youth participation in regional development and the need to listen to youth voices in shaping the future of the Pacific.
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