Changes to help unemployed youths

THE National Youth Commission is looking at reviewing its existing legislations and policies to address youth unemployment and find long-term solutions for the country’s young men and women.
Acting Youth Commissioner Norit Luio, who was appointed to the post this month, told the
national youth symposium that the changes were necessary to minimise the rapid
increase in youth unemployment.
The symposium was held last week at the Divine Word University in Madang.
“Finding solutions to youth unemployment has not been easy,” he said.
“To overcome such difficulties, it is better that we become partners with key stakeholders
in finding a way forward to address youth unemployment issues.”
He said besides reviewing the National Youth Council Act (1988), focus would also be on re-establishing the National Youth Council network and
introducing a parliamentary committee on youth development and other programmes.
“This is to ensure a concerted effort is made to actively involve youths in all our programmes and improve their knowledge on youth development,” he said.
Luio said National Youth Council programmes and activities would be extended to the provincial and local level governments instead of being a Waigani-based institution.
He said to empower and enhance youth participation in the decision-making process, his administration would establish and maintain a close dialogue with the national government through the ministry of community development by establishing a parliamentary committee on youth development.
“Youths form a major component of PNG’s population.
“Their future will depend on how
policy makers today formulate appropriate strategies and mechanisms to address their needs and aspirations,” the youth commissioner said.
The Madang symposium was hosted in partnership with Divine Word University, National Youth Commission and the Commonwealth Youth Programme.