Toni: Tap and promote youth talent for positive growth

 THE prime responsibility of leaders is to seek out the immense potential youths have and promote them for their positive growth, a state minister said.

Minister for Youth, Religion and Community Development Loujaya Toni made the comment while opening a one-week forum for youth leaders from Commonwealth countries in Port Moresby.

She will chair the ministers’ forum today.

Head of the youth affairs division of the Commonwealth secretariat Katherine Ellis said the main topics were youth employment, small business enterprise for youth and the launching of the commonwealth youth council which will be the voice of the youths at the international level.  

The forum yesterday deliberated on work reports from the five regions on participation and development where special attention was given to the recommendations that called for youth involvement in decision making in the national and international levels. 

The idea of a youth council was recommended by the Commonwealth Eminent Persons group. It was adopted by Commonwealth leaders at a summit in Perth, Australia in 2011. 

The council will represent a broad cross section of youths in the commonwealth and act as their voice in meeting their development needs.  

Youth representatives from 38 Commonwealth countries are discussing youth work and reporting on youth development projects.