UNFPA's youth leadership event, the Youth Parliament, has landed in Lae, Morobe, marking the first time the popular event has been held at the provincial level.
42 high school and tertiary students from across Morove are participating in the Morobe Student Parliament. This 3-day event kicked off on the 16th of August with the final mock parliament activity completed on the 18th of August, training the students in meaningful youth engagement, leadership skills, public speaking, and increasing awareness on issues affecting Papua New Guinea.
Facilitated by the United Nations Population Fund through the Spotlight Initiative, the Morobe Student Parliament aimed to see how student leaders understood the essence of what it means to be a leader in parliament, the election process involved, and simply how the PNG parliament works.
Sessions on leadership led by PNG Tribal Foundation, with sessions on the election process led by Electoral Commission Office Morobe. UNDP's anticorruption team led a virtual session on corruption. Final sessions included haus man and haus meri dialogues, with a General Assembly convening to model how decisions are debated and passed on the floor of parliament.
"It was worth the journey"
Students from Wasu Secondary School in the Tawae-Siassi District, Morobe Province had to travel 21 hours by ship from their school to reach Lae to participate.
“We boarded the ship from our district at 6am and arrived at the Lae Wharf by 3am the next day,” shared the participant Ms. Abegail Dewa, a grade 11 student from Wasu Secondary who is one of two students that made that long journey.
“I am the head girl of my school and I am thrilled to be part of this event," shared Abegail. "Now I understand what it takes to be a leader in parliament, what the process is like, and how decisions are made and passed down in Parliament. This event is very informative for me and the other students that are here. It was worth the journey for me and my school.”
"Inspire other young people just like you"
UNFPA Deputy Country Representative Dr. Rena Dona, in opening the Student Parliament, reminded the 42 participants that leadership is not about having a title.
“Young people make up 60% of the country’s population which means that you are a powerful force and must be front and center when it comes to decision-making," said Dr Dona. "That is why we have innovative events like this Student Parliament to build up your skills and to hear what you have to say."
“You must also remember that you are here to inspire other young people just like you.”
UNFPA also acknowledged the support on the ground, especially from the Evangelical Lutheran Church PNG in Morobe, who facilitated the conversations with the various schools to bring in the selected students to take part in this event.
“We are thankful for the support on the ground from the Lutheran Church, also, the Provinces Education Department and not forgetting our key implementing partner, the National Youth Development Authority. Thank you.”
UNFPA's National Youth Parliament will be held later this year. Applications will open soon and be announced on UNFPA Papua New Guinea's website and Facebook Page.
