THE celebration of International Youth Day in Auki last week was a powerful call to reflect on the past, embrace the present, and take charge of the future.
Speaking during the event, Malaita Provincial Youth Council President, Philip Subu, who was also the guest of honour urged young people to take ownership of their future and draw strength from their cultural identity and unity.
This year’s global theme, “Celebrating Diversity and Uniting for Prosperity,” resonated strongly with the celebration in Malaita, which coincided with the province’s 42nd Second Appointed Day anniversary.
“It should be clear: solutions for young people in Malaita must come from Malaita,” he said.
“For too long, others have told us what our future should look like. But lasting change cannot be rented, borrowed, or bought.
“True transformation grows from within,like the taro in our gardens, the wisdom of our elders, and the courage in our young people.”
He emphasized that Malaita’s diversity is its strength, unity its most powerful tool, and prosperity its collective goal,not something to be granted by others, but earned through the hard work and vision of its people.
“We honour those who have chosen to walk alongside us in this journey,” he added, acknowledging several key partners.
These included;
– The Solomon Islands Government, for funding the new Malaita Youth and Children Hub, which will serve as a foundation for leadership, service, and dreams.
– The Government of Australia, for its ongoing investment in youth associations in the province.
– The People’s Republic of China, for sharing agricultural knowledge to help secure Malaita’s food future.
– The Mala I Tolo Indigenous Guardianship Trust, for providing IT equipment to empower youth in the digital age.
Mr Subu issued a call to action:
“Rise as one Malaita, proud, unshaken, and determined. Let us be the generation that took our destiny into our own hands, wrote our own story, and built a Malaita whose prosperity will never depend on the permission of others.
“Rise, Malaita! Stand tall, youth of Malaita! The future is ours—and we begin building it today.”
By SOLOMON LOFANA
Solomon Star, Auki
