Summary

Research Report: Addresses the issues and needs of young people.

Description

Author: Hassall and Associates International

Most young people in the Solomon Islands (ages 15-29)
are currently not catered for by formal educational institutions. The majority
of young people no longer attend school and the average attainment in the
formal education system for young people is upper primary level education.
Approximately a third fare worse than this, and a fifth do better. Examination
of the census tables shows that females are on average worse off than
males.

Youth services reach comparatively small numbers of people, and the
providers, who have limited capacity to reach rural areas, are based mainly in
urban settings.

The core activity of the Interim Youth Activity (IYA) was to ask young
people and communities across the Solomon Islands what the issues and needs for
young people are. Youth and Community Workshops were held in varied settings.
Research was qualitative and participatory, designed to elicit the full range
of concerns. The approach was to divide the community into four workgroups:
young females, young males, older females and older males. Views from each were
recorded. Later these were systematically categorised and rankings
produced.

The widespread issues identified by young men and women and their
communities across the Solomon Islands include:

• lack of community participation
• aimlessness
• poverty
• drug and alcohol abuse
• teenage pregnancy
• illiteracy
• poor youth activities

In many cases the first step for responding to these needs is a learning
process at the local level: what are the options, and how to implement
activities. Young people want to know more about how they can do things for
themselves. Learning is a key element.

Communities are developing their own solutions as government services have
been limited in rural areas. Communities want more control of their own
development and are requesting support for this process. Supporting these local
initiatives can enhance participation by young people and communities in
addressing their concerns, and can ensure many more young people have access to
new opportunities.

Our ability to assist youth and community development will increase as we
expand our research knowledge of local community governance and economy in the
Solomon Islands.

Youth in Solomon Islands: a participatory study of issues, needs and priorities [PDF 1202KB]

Available: Electronic version only

This report was commissioned by AusAID. The findings, interpretations and conclusions expressed in the report are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of AusAID or the Australian Government.

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