5 Jul 2006

Emerging Pacific leaders study nation building in Solomon Islands

1:04 pm on 5 July 2006

Twelve people deemed Emerging Pacific Islands Leaders are currently in the Solomon Islands capital Honiara to study nation building.

There is also a specific focus on leadership and the role of women and youth in the country.

The group includes people from Tonga, Kiribati, Fiji, Australia, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, New Caledonia and Samoa.

They include women and men from government, NGOs, trade unions and the private sector.

The group has been meeting with local industry leaders, the Regional Assistance Mission to Solomon Islands, civil society groups, the Ministry of Finance, and interacting with local youth and cultural groups.

A team leader with the group, Teea Tira, says it is a great learning experience because it brings different and valuable perspectives to issues currently facing Solomon Islands.

It is hoped that the exercise will spark more dynamic and cooperative leadership models in the region with a common goal of developing the Pacific together.

The group goes to Vanuatu on Thursday before finishing in Auckland next week with presentations to a distinguished panel to be chaired by the Princess Royal.