27/10/2020
News: President Hon. Ishmael Toroama listens to youths at a forum
President Hon. Ishmael Toroama attended a youths forum today at Buka to hear the young people speak on issues that they face everyday.
President Hon. Toroama said that some of those issues have been identified and are in the six-point strategy to bring Bougainville forward to independence.
Hon. Toroama said that: "I can see that you, as a collective of youth leaders and me, we have a common interest- and that is to strengthen peace, good governance and law and order."
Hon. Ishmael encouraged the youths to be leaders this critical times.
"We are at a critical point of our political future. The next 12 months or so will determine what kind of political arrangements Bougainville will have in the future. You as youths today, but as leaders tomorrow, will have the important role of maintaining and sustaining, the agreed political arrangements, at various levels of the Bougainville society."
"It is therefore pleasing to know, that you have forums, such as this one, through which youths can get informed of developments in society and also contribute to policy making."
"Most importantly, your role as youth leaders, in your respective regions, places a special responsibility, in influencing not just the political level but also at the community level."
Hon. Toroama said that Bougainville has a bright future but will mean nothing if the youths are not included in any activities organised by the government.
He said that law and order was a priority of the government and wants to work together with the youths in finding ways of reducing law and order problems.
He said: "Forming community groups that can foster peaceful living in your communities- may be holding discussions on community law and order problems every Sunday afternoon."
"My fellow youth leaders, the opportunities for changing the face of Bougainville are limitless. But we are faced with some real hard times ahead because we will not be able to make any significant headway until the economy improves."
President Hon. Ishmael encouraged the youths to keep working on their small projects and that funding would be made available for little SME projects.
He was speaking at the Bougainville Regional Youth Forum that started today and will continue tomorrow. The forum is organised by the UN office in Bougainville.
Photo caption: The President Hon. Ishmael Toroama with his deleg*tion and the youths this morning.
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