Unite when addressing social issues, agencies told

MINISTER for Community Development, Youth and Religion Wake Goi has urged State agencies grouped under the social sector to work together addressing issues affecting the country.
Goi said the current directive from Government was to strategically organise the way business was conducted nationwide and work in partnership.
“We must work towards achieving a common goal and that is to improve our people’s lives,” he said.
“The programmes that fall under my ministry are: women, children, disability, churches, youth, informal economy and NGOs.”
Goi said donor partners needed to be advised and coordinated properly by host agencies so that they did not create parallel programmes with their aid money.
Goi said one of the agencies, the National Youth Development Authority had worked this year to establish youth networking at the sub-national levels. This involves establishing youth development councils for local level governments, district and provinces.
Provinces selected for their Youth Council Network establishment included Gulf, Western, Northern, East New Britain, West New Britain, Southern Highlands and Hela.
The Youth Council Network is the mechanism through which youth interventions will be delivered in the districts.
Goi said towards the end of the year, a number of youth councils would be established around the country in preparation for incubation activities.
He said provincial governments and city authorities were encouraged to take ownership in forming their youth networks in consultation with NYDA
Goi made the remarks in response to NCD Governor, Powes Parkop’s comment in the media about “nothing much done for youths at the national level” and announcement the establishment of a NCD Youth Advisory Committee.