YOUTH
EASTERN Highlands has carved its place in Papua New Guinea’s youth development history, becoming the eighth province —and the first in the Highlands region—to successfully complete the National Youth Development Authority’s (NYDA) National Youth Empowerment Scheme (NYES) Socialisation Programme.
From June 3 to 5, Goroka became the epicentre of youth-focused dialogue and strategic planning as government leaders, district administrators, church representatives, community leaders, youth advocates and development partners converged for three days of intensive consultations and collaboration.
The message that emerged at the end of the programme is a collective determination to place young people at the heart of development planning and to create meaningful opportunities that will empower them to become active participants in the nation’s future.
Milestone for Eastern Highlands
The programme culminated in a landmark signing ceremony that formalised the province’s commitment to implementing NYES. Provincial Administrator Allen Los officially signed the Eastern Highlands Provincial Joint Inception Implementation Plan, marking the province’s formal entry into structured NYES rollout.
This agreement signals a coordinated approach between provincial authorities and NYDA to ensure youth development initiatives are systematically delivered across districts and communities.
In a parallel milestone, Kainantu was confirmed as the NYES pilot district for Eastern Highlands. District Administrator Dickson Penai signed the Kainantu Joint District Collaboration Framework, paving the way for targeted implementation at district level before expansion across the province.
Digital access and grassroots readiness
One of the most significant developments arising from the engagement was the official activation of the NYES online youth registration system in the province. This digital platform is expected to transform how young people access opportunities, register for programmes, and connect with training, employment pathways, and enterprise support services.
At the same time, community development officers from across the province underwent practical training during the workshop sessions and are now equipped to begin implementation at ward and community level. Their role will be central in ensuring that NYES does not remain a policy on paper, but is translated into real, visible impact in rural and urban communities alike.
When Korea meets Kainantu
A key highlight of the Goroka engagement was the recognition of strong alignment between the NYES framework and the Saemaul Undong (SMU) development model, which has already been making notable progress in several communities across Eastern Highlands.
The SMU model—anchored in community-driven participation, self-reliance, and local enterprise development—has demonstrated tangible success in agriculture, small business growth, and skills development at ward level.
Stakeholders noted that integrating NYES with this model presents a powerful opportunity; one that ensures youth are not passive beneficiaries of development but active drivers of community transformation. Under this alignment, young people will be actively engaged in agriculture, entrepreneurship, vocational skills, and cooperative-based economic activities, strengthening both household incomes and local economies.
A growing national movement
Eastern Highlands’ achievement marks a significant expansion of the NYES rollout nationwide. With eight provinces now onboard, momentum is steadily building toward a national movement focused on structured youth empowerment, economic participation, and community development.
Officials described the progress in Goroka as more than an administrative milestone—it is a signal of changing attitudes toward youth inclusion in development planning.
As more provinces observe the Eastern Highlands implementation, interest is growing across the Highlands region and beyond, with several districts already initiating discussions to join the programme.
Road ahead
With systems now in place, implementation is expected to move into full rollout phase, beginning with Kainantu District before expanding across the province.
The focus will be on ensuring that youth registration, training access, and livelihood programmes are effectively delivered, and that partnerships between government, churches, and communities remain strong and accountable.
Eastern Highlands has not only joined the movement. It has set a benchmark for others to follow.
