Tongan Youth

Ana Kolokihakaufisi asks:

Dear Secretary-General,

Greetings from the Kingdom of Tonga!

I have just recently learned that you will be visiting the Kingdom of Tonga from the 17-19 of July, and am overly excited because at the moment I am involved with coordinating a new youth initiative that my Youth Group has taken up known as the 'International Award for Young People' or otherwise known as the 'Duke of Edinburgh Award Programme'.

This Programme, as I’m sure you're aware of, is a Commonwealth Youth Programme with the Award concept being one of individual challenge for young people between the ages of 14-25 who voluntarily commit their time to achieve/improve personal goals set under the four sections of the program mentioned below:

1. Service: To develop a sense of community and social responsibility
2. Skills: To develop cultural, vocational and practical skills
3. Physical Recreation: To encourage improved performance and fitness
4. Adventurous Journey: To cultivate a spirit of adventure and an understanding of the environment

* Residential Project: an additional requirement at Gold Level that broadens horizons through a worthwhile residential experience

My Youth Organisation, ON THE SPOT (Inc), is the first Independent Operator in the Kingdom, and I would LOVE to see this program being available in schools (as well as other organisations that work with young people) throughout the Kingdom and thereby ensuring the contribution of young people not only to their own welfare but also towards the Kingdom's National Youth Strategy vision of:

[improving] the quality of life of young people through fostering an empowering environment that promotes employment creation, skills development, healthy living, community service and mainstreaming youth participation in development.

So my question is simple:

Could you, in your capacity as Secretary General, discuss with my Prime Minister, Lord Tu'ivakano, the wonderful impact and potential this Programme could have on young people as well as the Nation at large? This could be part of your discussions on youth, as mentioned in a Press Release of your visit to the Kingdom.

It is my strongest conviction, that this programme will help in the development efforts of the Kingdom and its young people in so many ways; however, to have someone like yourself mention the importance of such a programme will have much more of an impact than mine.

By the end of July, the pilot team for achieving its first Bronze Awards for the program in Tonga aims to end its pilot phase (6 month Bronze requirement) and hopes to achieve their Bronze Awards in time for celebrating International Youth Day on August 12th. This August 10th, an Award Leader Training will be offered and made available for youth stakeholders to participate in if they are interested in being an Independent Operator for the Award Program. Mr. Rob Oliphant (Asia Pacific Regional Program Manager for the Award Program) will be facilitating the aforementioned Training.

Respectfully,

Ana Kolokihakaufisi
Youth Development Director
ON THE SPOT (Inc)
Kingdom of Tonga

The Secretary-General replies:

Dear Ana

I was indeed delighted to visit the Kingdom earlier this week, and was also delighted to receive your message.

Around 60% of the population of Tonga is under 29 years of age – this is the same sort of percentage across most Commonwealth member countries. Addressing the concerns and needs of young people was therefore an important part of my discussions with political leaders during my visit, and your specific project was raised when I met the Minister for Youth and Sport.

I wish you all possible encouragement for continued success with your project.

Kamalesh Sharma