Close to 50 youth are the first ones tasked to lead climate change initiatives and actions.

The youth from Upolu and Savaii had the opportunity to undergo a Climate Change Training course through a partnership between the Australia Pacific Technical Coalition (APTC) and Samoa National Youth Council (SNYC) launched on Friday, 20th September 2024.

This partnership had been in the making for some time.

As part of the Organisation’s Climate Change action reflected in its work plan, the Climate Change training for its members is the initial phase of the project and SNYC appreciates the support of APTC in coming on board as a partner.

“We are immensely proud and thankful to APTC for their partnership and support. We had discussed some potential collaboration for some time now given their partnership also with our counterparts in Tonga (Tonga National Youth Council), but we are truly thankful to realise this through this wonderful opportunity for our young people” the President of SNYC, Leiataualesā Va’agi Kevin Lucky said in his official remark.

The trainees were allocated into two cohorts which were conducted in the morning and again in the afternoon at APTC Vaivase-tai campus and were delivered by Leatulagi Jay Parota. The course was very well received by a mixture of youth that attended the training crediting it to many reasons.

The main reason highlighted by the youth is the fact that it was delivered in the Samoan language including all the discussions and activities that formed part of the program.

The registered youth for the Climate Change 101 course were also particularly grateful that the same course they learnt through this SNYC and APTC partnership is also the same course delivered across all other Pacific island countries in which APTC operates.

“It was really good to learn about climate change with all the other young people through this training. I hope they all take this on and start working together among their youth groups on small initiatives that can contribute to mitigating the causes of climate change” Elena Tuiletufuga, a youth from Letava said in an interview following the completion of the training.

The Country Director of APTC acknowledged SNYC’s pro-activeness in pursuing this partnership with APTC especially being a lead training coalition across the Pacific.

“We appreciate this partnership with SNYC and we share their vision of upskilling the young people of Samoa through the wide range of training we provide as an international institution. We are certain today marks the beginning of this partnership and we know it will not be the last” said Lagaaia Lealiifano Easter Manila–Silipa.

SNYC acknowledges not only its membership but also all other young people that showed interests and their passion for Climate Change through registering for this important training.