The Young Pacific Leaders (YPL) program is a U.S. Department of State initiative, launched in 2013, that aims to build leadership capacity among young people (ages 25-35) across the Pacific region. It connects emerging leaders from 24 countries and territories in the Pacific to collaborate, develop leadership skills, and create solutions to regional challenges. The YPL program focuses on key areas such as education, environment and resource management, civic engagement, and economic and social development. “We run a series of conferences, workshops, exchanges, community service events, small grants and other opportunities focused on issues that matter most to the Pacific. We’d love to see more Young Pacific Leader applications from the Cook Islands for future events”, said Mara Hosoda Su’a, U.S. Pacific Regional Engagement Specialist at U.S. Consulate Auckland.
Recently, Mo’orea in French Polynesia hosted the Tiaki Moana Summit and Unconference, which revolved around marine conservation approaches. There were 43 youth from across the Pacific who successfully applied for the Young Pacific Leaders program at Tiaki Moana, and three of those are Cook Islands youth: Liam Koka’ua, Dr. Antony Vavia and Jessie Nicholson.
Koka’ua is a YPL alumni, having attended multiple YPL programs over the years. After his first YPL conference in Hawai’i in 2018, he applied for the YPL small grants program and teamed up with Charlene Hoff and Joshua Baker to produce a short film, Aorangi – the film was about Joshua’s father’s (Nooroa Baker) recipe for bone fracture repair using the ‘au plant (Tree Hibiscus). Since then, he has attended a YPL workshop on Economic Development in the Pacific in 2019 and has also been invited to attend numerous meetings with visiting dignitaries in both Rarotonga and Auckland.
Here is what Koka’ua had to say about the YPL program at the Tiaki Moana Summit in French Polynesia: “I was foremost inspired by the other young ocean guardians who formed our YPL cohort. I continue to be blown away by the community-centred and innovative work being done by these leaders across Te Moana Nui o Kiva! Secondly, I was privileged to learn from many of the guest speakers and NGO representatives who shared their experience and skills on various areas at the Tiaki Moana unconference. Moments like these are a good time to reflect on where my own efforts are being directed, take stock, and perhaps work more collaboratively in order to have a bigger impact. After all, we are all working to protect the same thing – our Moana Nui o Kiva and its islands which we call home.”
This was the first YPL program for Vavia and Nicholson. “It was both inspiring and humbling to see the passion, drive and dedication of the YPLs” said Nicholson, NES Biodiversity Coordinator. “While my role in government often focuses on broader policy work or big-picture planning for national biodiversity projects, many of the YPLs are out there working on advocacy, local initiatives or community projects at the grassroots level, where they are stepping up or speaking up to create tangible impacts on the ground. It was refreshing to see not just one or two individuals doing this, but rather nearly all of them! It’s a great network to be a part of”. Nicholson highlighted that this YPL program and Tiaki Moana Summit reinforced the importance of bridging the gap between policy and those living the realities on the ground.
Dr. Vavia is grateful to have been selected to take part in the YPL program at Tiaki Moana in Tahiti Nui this year. “My ultimate highlight was meeting all the other incredible Young Pacific Leaders. The insightful conversations and laughs were boosts of motivation, and in some ways, they added validation to continue working in the ocean space – it reinforced my passion and brought a high-level of zest and excitement for me. Since returning home to Rarotonga, I’ve had trouble shutting up about the whole thing. I couldn’t recommend the YPL program enough to any other prospective young professionals wanting to network and contribute good change within their communities”, Vavia said.
Regarding the program with the unconference format, Vavia found that it was a good exercise to be meticulous about the topics that were being facilitated. “There were discussions that I agreed with, and others that I questioned. And there were some conversations that made me challenge my own way of thinking”, noted Vavia.
When asked about his key takeaways, Vavia said that overall, “one of the key takeaways for me was to think about what I can do in the spaces that I occupy and the impact that I can make. I was really fortunate to be inspired by the stories of what other YPLs are doing in their communities – now I need to keep that momentum”.
Why should youth apply to attend a YPL program?
- Leadership development: gain practical skills and experience to become more effective leaders in your community or country
- Networking: connect with like-minded peers, mentors and professionals from across the Pacific
- Support for Projects: Access funding and support to launch or expand impactful community projects
- Regional Impact: be part of a movement to shape a more sustainable and prosperous future for the Pacific
Visit the YPL website or Facebook page for updates on upcoming YPL programs.
