Consultations on the review of Vanuatu’s Youth and Sports Policy are underway this week with the Torba Provincial Technical Advisory Committee at the provincial headquarters.

The policy, which lapsed last year, is now being reviewed through consultations with technical officials, community leaders, and students in schools across the province. The review aims to ensure the government, through the Ministry of Justice, Youth and Community Services, can address the real challenges young people face today.

Vanuatu National Youth Authority CEO, Vira Taivakalo, highlighted that one of the priority areas in the policy is sports infrastructure development.

“Today sports men and women perform, but maybe at facilities that are not proper. When they reach the capital sometimes they find it hard, because infrastructure doesn’t meet expectations, so they have to adjust again,” Taivakalo said.

Youth participant Joe Tagai stressed the importance of inclusive budgeting and grassroots outreach in the new policy.

“I think we should just manage each sector. There are many different types of youth, so we must budget for each, and also go to youth roots — area councils and administrators — to reach communities,” Tagai said.

Mr. Taivakalo added that another target area of the policy is youth economic empowerment, helping young people build sustainable futures.

The youth and sports policy is designed for a five-year term, and at the end of each cycle it must undergo a review to capture community input, address new challenges, and remain relevant.

This review process is in line with the National Sustainable Development Plan of the government.