The Native Iowan

Mr. Fono’s Remarks in relation to the general unemployment situation, particularly that of our urban youth, are pointed, timely and important.

The Solomon Islands Chamber of Commerce and Industries wishes to thank the Honorable Deputy Prime Minister for bravely raising this topic.

I’d like to delve into the situation and circumstances around this topic in an effort to determine where we have been and then decide where we actually want to go…

Fact 1) The Solomons has a dangerously high birth rate. Trends show us that the country’s population basically doubled between 1980 and 2000. The total population (round numbers) went from 250,000 citizens in 1980 to 500,000 citizens in 2000.

Fact 2) If we saw the population double in 20 years we can safely state that half the population of the Nation is 20 years of age, or younger.

Fact 3) Roughly 80% of the Nation’s citizens are ‘subsistence farmers” with 20% of the population being gainfully employed in the formal sector.

The issue as raised by Mr. Fono discusses the specific unemployment of the Youth of the Nation. And, reading between the lines, I am assuming the discussion was referring mainly to the Urbanized Youth of the Nation. Yet, as I am certain Mr. Fono would agree, the problem of having a huge cross section of our population unoccupied from a productive/ work/ employment point of view is, quite simply, very dangerous.

The topic we discuss is basically a socio-economic problem that sees the Urbanized Youth to be in a higher risk category than the Rural Youth. Both are at risk. Both are important. And we must make plans to address the wants and needs of both groups.

The SICCI has called on the Leaders of the Day to do more about the Youth of this Nation, which, sadly, is a resource, we have neglected for far too long.

Allow me to offer four excerpts from previous press releases we have made:

1) “Remember the future of the Solomons is in the custodial care of the elder generation. The elders hold the future in TRUST for the next generation.  The proverbial harvest is not for the elder generation to treat as their own, to sell, give away or otherwise consume. This generation, the generation I am a member of, has an obligation to our future generations. We must nurture and guard that which we know is valuable. We cannot use everything we see for our own purposes. We cannot pretend we are the owners of the future. We are all getting old. We know we must hand over the future to the next generation, sometime… perhaps soon? The challenge here is to be wise custodians and acknowledge that there will be others coming behind us. Our actions are often dictated by shortsighted viewpoints. I challenge all our leaders, all our members of the “leading generation” to rethink your processes and make new plans based on the concept of guardianship rather than ownership.”

Is part of the problem we currently face due to the fact that the current generation of leaders have taken too much and given too little to the “next generation”?  Proper programs and strategies need to be implemented in order to bring the youth into partnership with our modern community. More than not the youth are currently disenfranchised, or worse, ignored. Public lands that have traditionally been areas where youth can meet, play sports, etc have most all been “given” away for “development”. So we get a new shopping centre but lose a playing field. We get a new hotel but lose a large beachfront area. What are we telling our youth, our children when we sell the land they play on? Obviously we are saying the commercial development is more important than the youth that use the land. A very sad statement indeed.

2) “Parents, Grannies, Aunts and Uncles, Brothers and Sisters… please, act as friendly policemen in your families, your tribes and social networks…  I stress “friendly”. I feel that positive reinforcement will work better than violent discipline. Young Citizens… use your peer pressure to ensure you and your friends make the right decisions. It does not make sense to go around damaging property. All in all we share the same environment. We all travel in the same small canoe. Everyone has a role to play. Everyone is important. And it will be cooperation that leads to success. Our families, tribes, communities and Nation all depend on honest cooperation and fair interaction. It is a modern world we live in. And as such we all need to play our role, do our jobs, participate and cooperate. I challenge everyone to be a friendly policeman in your environment. Consider what is best for the community and act accordingly. The big headed, selfish and malicious attitudes that currently exist must stop. Now.”

Have we lost the old style respect that exemplified the Solomons in generations past? Has our society changed and grown so quickly that we no longer  raise our children, the Youth of the Nation, with proper morals and attitudes? We talk much of the won-tok system and the extended family. Both the won-tok system and the extended family are venues where we must strive to be good parents, leaders, and teachers. We must accept responsibility, good or bad, for the actions and attitudes of our own children. We, the parents and teachers of the Youth of the Nation, are responsible for their future. We are responsible to teach and guide them well. We are responsible for setting positive examples. Without good leaders and teachers the future will look very grim.

3) “Lets make some overtures to the youth of the nation… Involve them in dialogue and even appoint them to boards and committees. Bare minimum give them something to feel proud about… Time is running our on an entire generation that was left un-tended for the past 20 years… Empower them by involving them.”

I fear that the current generation of elders and leaders is moving too slow when it comes to sharing power. We must bring the Youth of the Nation into our offices, chambers, and boardrooms. The longer we neglect them the harder we will need to work, in the future, to solve the problems we knowingly created. If we do not “Engage and Empower” our own children, who will?

4) “Develop the most important resource that we as a Nation own…  Develop our manpower. And once developed, retain it. We consistently chase educated Solomon Islanders oversees because we won’t pay them a  fair wage, offer them a secure future “or even at times recognize them as a Solomon National.

The issue of the future of our Nation is a topic we all have a right and a duty to discuss, think about, contribute toward and prepare to be able to assist and change, when the time comes to accept new ideas and modalities. We must change our attitudes. We must value both our citizenry. After all, it is the people of this nation that is our future; not foreign investors, businessmen, or industry. The people must always come first.

All of us Parents, Grandparents, Aunts, Uncles; all of us love our children. All of us wish nothing but success and well being for our children’s future. And, as conscientious Parents, Leaders, Teachers, we must plan and work toward a successful future for our children, for the next generation.

This is not simply a political matter. It is not just a private sector matter. It is not just a family or tribe or won-tok matter. It is a National matter. An important National Issue that we must address quickly.

In Ending: The SICCI has assisted a number of urban communities to establish and implement a variety of Youth Programs. Any Community, Church or Youth Leaders that have ideas or interest can contact Mr. Paul Amao, SICCI Secretary General, for more information on the programs SICCI is involved in.