One of the key focus areas of the Youth Division is providing programs and activities that will build young people personally and professionally. There are 3 main ongoing youth programs that are implemented promote capacity building.
Youth Volunteer Attachments
Volunteers are recruited in to the assist the Youth Division in implementing its programs, as such each year there is a group of young qualified graduates and high school leavers that assist in different areas of work.
- Technical Volunteers – Volunteers who are specialized in a specific field, they have a tertiary qualification (certificate, diploma & degree) or 3 years experience in their interest field.
- Office Volunteers – Volunteers who have just completed High School (Form 5, 6 & 7) with no work experience.
Workshops & Trainings
Workshops and trainings are organized annually for the volunteers and representatives of registered youth groups.
- The topics of the workshops are usually identified by the Youth Division in consultation with community youth groups.
- Trainings are usually technical focused, while workshops are interactive.
Trainings have covered: media and communication skills, work and ethnics, proposal and report writing, formal Letter writing, basic computer skills, fundraising skills, events management, volunteerism, asset inventory, leadership skills, team building, negotiation and interpersonal skills.
Some of the Workshops have covered: Youth & Climate Change, Honiara Youth Seminar and Honiara Youth Capacity Building on Youth Policy.
Duke of Edinburgh Awards
The award is an internationally recognized self-development programme for young people 14-25 years of age, to equip them with life skills, build their confidence and engage them within their communities.
Since beginning the Awards in 2009, there have been over 50 graduates including 15 young people receiving their bronze level during the Royal Visit of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge in September 2012.
It gives young people aged between 14 and 25, regardless of their background, abilities or situation, an opportunity to experience challenge and adventure, to acquire new skills and to make new friends.
There are three Award levels, Bronze, Silver and Gold, each requiring increasing commitment and effort. The awardees are in charge of their own programme, setting their own goals and measuring their progress against them.
- Bronze usually takes 6 -12 months to complete;
- Silver usually takes 12 – 18 months;
- Gold usually takes 18 – 24 months.
The award programme has four sections:
- Service – develops a sense of community and social responsibility;
- Adventurous Journey – to cultivate a spirit of adventure and an understanding of the environment;
- Skills Section – to develops cultural, vocational and practical skills;
- Physical Recreation – encourages improved performance and fitness.
The Residential Project, an additional requirement at the Gold level, broadens horizons through a worthwhile residential experience.
Find out more by visiting the Youth Hub at the Multi-purpose Hall, Lawson Tama Area or contact the Youth Division on 22496/7524922.
Honiara City
"My City, Your City, Our City".