THE Wapenamanda District Development Authority (WDDA) in Enga province is creating opportunities for youths to be self-empowered after establishing its District Youth Development Council (DYDC) on the 11th September, last year.
This comes after the district in partnership with the National Youth Development Authority (NYDA) established its District Youth Development Council.
NYDA Director General Joe Itaki told The PNG Bulletin that this is in line with the youth network strengthening exercise facilitated by his organisation for ease of National Youth Policy implementation.
Mr Itaki said before NYDA embarks on youth programs, the network is a key requirement where the real stakeholders in the rural areas are engaged; hence NYDA is pushing for youth councils to be established per district throughout the 89 districts in the country.
He said the DYDC is the Youth voice mechanism in the districts to drive youth programs in consultation with the DDA.
“Our youths need to actively participate in the development arena by engaging themselves in opportunities that come on board and DYDC will augment their chances of being recognized and supported in the district resource basket.
“Thus, the council serves as the bridge between the disadvantaged youths and the respective government authorities,” Mr Itaki said.
Mr Itaki said the establishment is consistent with NYDA Act 2014, and a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed with Wapenamanda DDA to share resources towards implementation of the National Youth Policy 2020-2030.
“Also, it’s in line with the provincial youth plan which calls for youths to be engaged in self-empowerment initiatives,” he said.
Mr Itaki said, “We are thankful to the Member for Wapenamanda Open, Rimbink Pato and Governor Sir Peter Ipatas for providing strong leadership at both fronts respectively in the district and province in this area where youths are challenged with development issues.”
“The two leaders have both continued to create opportunities for youths to be self-empowered and that is the virtue of confidence that the youths derive going forward with the program to be extended to all the districts of Enga, Wabag being the next this month.”
Mr Itaki confirmed that so far 15 DYDCs have being established with four more districts to go for the year ends and this four (Esa’ala, Finschafen, Gumine and Mul-Baiyer).
The youth boss encouraged the remaining districts around the country to come onboard the program “as it is all about how we engage our youths of today to be better citizens of tomorrow.”