Image: Youth Ambassadors at a recent gathering (UN-PNG)
By: Geraldine Kalabai – EMTV Online, Port Moresby
Passionate young leaders in Papua New Guinea (PNG) are encouraging their peers to stand up for the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the global development milestones aimed at transforming the world and PNG by 2030.
A press release from United Nations Resident Coordinator’s Office stated that the selected Youth Champions for the Global Goals of the United Nations in PNG, Ms. Bronwyn Kili, Ms. Lydia Dimokali, and Mr. Nathan Garry are generating a youth movement towards the Goals.
It is reported the three champions organized a workshop for representatives from the University of Papua New Guinea, Papua New Guinea University of Technology, National Capital District Gender Desk, Basketball Federation Papua New Guinea, High Performance Sports, Mission Vibe, and Youth for Change.
The lead facilitator Kili, 19, who is the president of the Youth Adolescent Health Club (YAH), raises awareness on the importance of the SDGs.
Kili says these goals will shape the country when they are in their 30s or 40s.
“Do you want a future where current issues such as poverty, hunger, and gender based violence still exist? It is us who need to stand up now to attain better lives for ourselves,” urges Kili.
Mr. Garry, 25, who is currently working to establish a NGO called “Youth for Change” to educate young peers, especially those living in settlements believes more actors are needed than just government.
“We need our young peers playing such a role.” said Garry.
Garry also discourages the lack of the sense of urgency and utilise the SDGs as guiding tools to develop and transform PNG.
“Let us not wait. It is our future, and it is our country. SDGs is a guiding tool to develop and transform our country better.”
Participants of the workshop discussed how the SDGs are linked to their lives, and how best they can help promote them. They were also encouraged to recognize their influential power, networking capacity and innovative ideas and, to think through how they can promote the SDGs in their respective schools and communities.
Meanwhile, the report affirms that the United Nations in Papua New Guinea will continue to engage with youth in promoting the Goals because of the critical importance of youth in developing a nation.
