News and Public Notices

The Autonomous Bougainville Government (ABG) has reaffirmed its commitment to empowering young people in the region through targeted capacity building and partnerships, following the successful hosting of the first Youth Empowerment Bootcamp in Bougainville.

ABG Minister for Public Service and Representative of the North Bougainville Women’s Office, Hon. Amanda Masono, officially opened the three-day bootcamp held in May at the Innovation Hub in Buka.

Speaking at the event, Minister Masono commended the collaborative efforts behind the initiative and acknowledged the importance of creating safe and accessible spaces for young people to learn and build capacity and resilience.

“A warm gratitude and thank you to the people of Japan for the funding that enables the youths to call this hub a safe space to come and learn, equip and empower themselves economically and socially,” she remarked.

The Youth Empowerment Bootcamp was hosted by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in partnership with the North Bougainville Women’s Office and the Youth Empowerment in Climate Action Platform (YECAP). It brought together more than 30 young participants, primarily from Bougainville’s highly climate-vulnerable atoll communities, to build skills in climate resilience, entrepreneurship, and gender equality.

Minister Masono stressed the importance of harnessing the Innovation Hub’s potential as a vital resource for young people in Bougainville, encouraging them to actively use the space to upskill and engage in community development.

“This is your Hub. This is the space for you to come and learn. It’s a one-stop shop for you to train and upskill to be more empowered. Do not discourage yourself,” she said.

Minister Masono also spoke about the long-term vision for Bougainville’s youth, expressing confidence that the training would encourage practical climate solutions and drive economic opportunities within the region.

“It is my strongest desire that once equipped these youths will lead climate advocacy and smart innovation businesses to ignite change for our communities in atolls and North Bougainville,” Minister Masono added.

A standout feature of the bootcamp was its Training of Trainers (ToT) approach, designed to enable participants to return to their respective communities and pass on the knowledge and skills they acquired.  

One of the participants of the bootcamp was Ms. Lama Teffatu who travelled over 24 hours from her remote island of Mortlockorock to attend the training in Buka. “I wanted to learn how climate change is going to affect our island.  Some people in our villages are not well-educated. I want to share what I learned with my spouse, sister and brother.  Learning never stops. The future is us,” she shared excitedly as she reflected on her motivation for attending the bootcamp.

Ms. Lotui Teparara from Nuguria (Fead) island, located approximately 150km North of Buka, indicated critical logistical challenges faced by youths in atolls. “The main challenge for us is transportation.” She found the value of learning and sharing with local communities when she attended another UN learning event. She set two goals for the future, starting a local market and empowering youths on the island. 

Mr. Jackson Tehatu, the President of the Atolls District Youth Association, accompanied the youth to the training to showcase his commitment to youth empowerment in Bougainville. He remarked, “When I was young, I remember being inspired by many leaders. And now, I try to build on their work. Going forward, the next generation is coming up. And we need to be there to support the next generation.”

The ABG, through the North Bougainville Women’s Office, commended the UNDP, the Government of Japan, and YECAP for their ongoing commitment to youth empowerment, emphasizing that partnerships like these are vital for strengthening climate action, entrepreneurship, and inclusive leadership in Bougainville’s journey towards sustainable development. 

 

Photo credit: UNDP PNG 

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