LIT! (Live Inspire And Tell)

The second episode of the Establishment of Talasea District Youth Development Council is recorded from Mativon Guest House in Morokea Village, in Kimbe Urban LLG, East New Britain Province. I'm chatting with the Newly elected chairpersons of Hoskins, Central Nakanai, Bali/Vitu and the Talasea District Development Development Councils about their experiences during the establishment and the way forward for youth Empowerment in their respective localities.

We are recording from Liamo Reef Resort in Kimbe, West New Britain Province. I'm chatting with Mr Zachary Taliva, the Community Development Officer for Hoskins Local Youth Development Council, Mr John Taingo, the Focal Point/ Volunteer for the establishment of the Talasea District Youth Development Council and Ms Nancy Ilambi, Technical Advisor with National Youth Development Authority. We are reflecting back on how the idea of establishing this council was born and the processes involved in the set up.

Vickii is a bubbly and kind woman with a personality as big as an entire cathedral, but behind her good sense of humour, positive aura and a smiling face is a story filled with scars, remorse and bravery that has cemented her to be the passionate Social Worker she is in the Province of Milne Bay today. I had the privilege of traveling with her, crossing the Miline Bay waters from East Cape to Esa'ala, Normanby Island and back, during the National Youth Development Authority consultation on the establishment of the Esa'ala District Youth Development Council. Vickii shares her experience of island hopping during rough weather, walks through jungles and saving lives of children, women and youth. She conducts counselling, advocacy and community mobilizing and empowerment services. What drives Vickii is her story of great courage of overcoming her battles from her darkest experiences of losing her mum at the age of 9 and growing up with so many challenges, such as being mistreated by her stepmother, watching her marriage fall apart, single-handedly raising her 9 children and losing two of her son's. I know that I have fought through life as a warrior instead of being a 'worrier' and that's the same courage I want everyone human who crosses my path to take away as a life lesson with them". Ladies and gentlemen, I introduce to you a Pawa Meri Vickii Baloiloi Wesley!

On International Women's Day, I had the privilege of being a part of 3 other young champions from PNG seated at the UN75 Dialogue as panelist with the United Nations Deputy Secretary General, Her Excellency Amina Mohammed, the UN Secretary General's Youth Envoy, Jayathma Wickramanayake and the UN AIDS Secretary General, Winnie Nyanyima. The Dialogue was moderated by UN Women's Ms Bronwyn Kili. On behalf of the young people who contributed to the People working pillar, we called to 1. End all forms of acts of Violence, Stigma and Discrimination this is done through reforming Discriminatory Laws (Colonial Laws) 2. Equal access to services, resource and equal distribution of wealth. 3. An equal world where inclusion and diversity is celebrated for humans to co-exist and co-create.

This segment features the World YWCA Regional Coordinator Asia Pacific Rise Up Program, Ms Naomi Woyengu. We discuss about shifting the perspective on young people on emperment, activating the voices of young people, and the systems in place that empowers young people. Youth contribute positively in their communities and to Nation Building if their we invest in their potential.

In this segment I'm discussing the Landscape of Youth Development in Papua New Guinea with Mrs Dorcas Mileng, Msc Youth Development- University of Auckland and Ms Nancy Ilambi, BA Political Science- University of Papua New Guinea. The discussions give a perspective on Youth Definition in PNG, the differennt Youth Cohorts, the focus and responsibility of Youth Development in the country. You can send an email to Mrs Dorcas Mileng on: dijay1806@gmail.com and Ms Nancy Ilambi on: nancyilambi@gmail.com