Honiara, Solomon Islands: Ditching static lectures for dynamic skits, issue-based debates, and interactive mapping, dozens of young Solomon Islanders engaged in a high-energy civic education workshop.  

Driven by a shared vision of accountable governance and informed voting, youth representatives turned abstract political concepts into real-world action points for their communities.  

Supported by the UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office and Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, the event brought together tertiary students from the Solomon Islands National University, and the University of the South Pacific, alongside young leaders from church networks and the Baha'i community.  

Victor Ngele, Chair of the Political Parties Commission, opened the event and challenged young voters to step up as the backbone of national governance.  

Quoting former UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan, Ngele said:  

"No one is born a good citizen; no nation is born a democracy. Rather, both are processes that continue to evolve over a lifetime. Young people must be included from birth, a society that cuts itself off from its youth severs its lifeline.

"Here in the Solomon Islands, young people make up a significant proportion of our population. The decisions you make today, and as voters in the years ahead, will help shape the future of our nation. By becoming informed voters and active participants, you will help build a stronger, more accountable, and more prosperous Solomon Islands."  

Calling on young leaders to treat election day as the beginning, not the end, of civic duty, British High Commissioner to Solomon Islands, H.E. Paul Turner, said:

"Democracy does not stop once the ballot boxes are closed; your political participation starts now and must be continuous if we are to see real systemic change. While international partners and the UNDP work tirelessly to support electoral systems, election day is merely a milestone. The true test of a healthy democracy lies in sustained youth leadership, equal representation for women, and active collaboration with media and church leaders to build strong civil society frameworks."

Echoing this call to action, Nicole Smith, Counsellor – Governance and Stability, at the Australian High Commission to Solomon Islands, added:  

"Youth are not merely the leaders of tomorrow, they are the leaders of today, and their voices are vital to building strong, transparent governance. We encourage young leaders to take up their civic responsibility, invest their time in political engagement, and work hand-in-hand with community pillars to drive positive change."

The day included a performance from DreamCast Theatre Honiara, a series of debates and 'tok stori’ sessions, and a 'Family Catalyst' exercise, in which youth designed practical strategies to lead respectful, transformative conversations about politics with their family and community.  

The workshop was organised by the UN Development Programme’s Solomon Islands Democratic Governance and Electoral Assistance Project in partnership with the Solomon Islands Office of the Registrar of Political Parties. 

For more information please contact: 

Anwar Ali | Communications Analyst | anwar.ali@undp.org