Paul Seilala Peteru

He holds an MA in Youth Development (First Class Honours) from Te Ara Poutama (Maori Faculty), Auckland University of Technology, and a Diploma in Social Work and Community Development from the Manukau Institute of Technology. He is currently working on a proposal for PhD candidature to be supported from the Institute of Public Policy, Auckland University of Technology. He works together with South Pacific Island Nation member governments on their National Youth Plans and works to facilitate collaborative endeavours that will enable youth stakeholders to involve young people in all spheres of decision-making.

Before joining CYP South Pacific, he spent several years working in local government with Manukau City Council’s Community Development Service as a Community Advisor where he championed the Youth Development portfolio.

“Te Puawaitanga o te Tangata – The Blossoming of the People” exemplifies for me the ongoing challenge of working with young people and their champions, engaging them, working alongside or advising in a capacity that builds bridges, builds rapport and builds trust to develop, manage and sustain relationships. I work on the premise that if young people have a voice then they have a choice in determining outcomes”.

Mr. Sushil Chand Ram is from Fiji Islands and is a Programme Manager at the Commonwealth Youth Programme – South Pacific Centre based in Honiara, Solomon Islands.