The young people should be the focus of development because they are the future.

That's the opinion of the Chief Executive Officer of the Ministry of Women, Community and Social Development's (M.W.C.S.D.)., Afamasaga Faauiga Mulitalo.

During an interview with the Samoa Observer, she said the leaders of today must recognise the significant role of youths in the development of Samoa.

“The youths of today will be the leaders of tomorrow,” she said.

She spoke on the topic of youths after attending a church service hosted by the Samoa Victim Support Group (S.V.S.G.) Juniors and its partners on Wednesday at the Mulivai Cathedral.

“The focus on the development of youths is very significant because we rely on them for the future.

“This is why we really need to make sure that we strengthen them and build them and give them opportunities to grow in all facets of life.

“Whether it is in government, families, communities or churches but making sure they are contributors in the development of our country.”

Afamasaga added that youths need the right information and education so that they become good citizens to contribute to the development of this country.

“That is why whichever organisation that brings young people together and initiates activities that promote ending violence, healthy lifestyles, agricultural development, economic empowerment we are always here to support in any way we can.

“The opening church service by the S.V.S.G. Juniors really touched me by the fact that these youths gather and give up their time for the purpose of encouraging other youths.

“The service was an encouraging moment for particularly the young boys and girls who are the victims of various abuses who are currently staying at the Campus of Hope.”

She added that it was an opportunity for the victims of various abuses to boost their self-esteem and that touched her greatly.

“I was so happy I was able to attend and it is very important to help our young people especially the unemployed ones and it is critical that everyone come together to do that.

“It requires everyone like the Government, churches, families, village councils. But it all comes down to the role of the parents in terms of caring for their children.”

M.W.C.S.D. also works with development partners such as United Nations to assists unemployed youths seek employment opportunities or internships through various workplaces.

President of S.V.S.G., Siliniu Lina Chang said that, “the dream is that all the youths will come together and build the country so that no youths are wasting their lives on the streets unemployed or committing crimes.”

She added that they will try to build up the youths from the grassroots because everyone is important no matter who you are.

“We had trainings where youths can undergo to help them seek employment last year and we will continue the programmes this year.”

A total of 6,960 people in Samoa are unemployed this was highlighted during a 2017 Samoa Labour Force Survey.

The survey was done by the Samoa Bureau of Statistics in collaboration with the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Labour.

The findings of the report also stated that the majority of the unemployed are found in the rural area representing almost 82 per cent of total unemployment.

“Most of the unemployed are in the age groups of 20-24 and 25-29 years as these are the critical age groups where people will start to enter the labour force looking for employment or even to start a business.”