Solomon Islanders Have Their Say in Post 2015 Consultations

Solomon Islanders Have Their Say in Post 2015 Consultations

Honiara, 25 March 2013 - Solomon Islanders would like to see quality education linking to job opportunities, better water supply and sanitation for all and sustainable livelihoods in the post-2015 development agenda.

These were amongst the priorities discussed at a workshop organized jointly by the Ministry of Planning and Aid Coordination and the United Nations (UN) Agencies in Solomon Islands. The validation workshop discussed the findings of a national consultation conducted amongst 1,264 Solomon Islanders across the country’s nine provinces, including Honiara.

Solomon Islands is one of the 50 countries selected globally to conduct an inclusive national consultation process and provides an opportunity for Solomon Islanders to share their view on the post 2015 development agenda and “The Future We Want”.

As the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) approach their target date in 2015, global efforts are also simultaneously in progress towards the formulation of a new development agenda beyond 2015. The post-2015 development agenda advocates “bottom up” approach to determine future global development.

The validation workshop reached general consensus on the analysis of the voice of 1,264 Solomon Islanders in the following themes: Education and Employment; Health, Water Supply and Sanitation; Sustainability of Livelihood and Access to Basic Infrastructure and Services; Good Governance and Leadership at all levels; Environment Protection and Resource Management, Law and Order and Peaceful Country, Climate Change and Disaster Risk Management. The Workshop also found that Gender Equality, People with Disabilities and Youth are important cross-cutting issues.

The most popular voice was on Education, suggesting easier access to schools with improved physical facilities, better Education provided by qualified teachers, less burden on school fees, needs for adult education, equal Education opportunities for children with disabilities and Education linking to job opportunities.

Access to water and better sanitation was requested for health reasons and good living for all Solomon Islanders, including elderly people as well as people with disabilities.

Requests for sustainability of Livelihoods indicate the needs for income generation, good shelter or housing, food security, access to banking and others.

Views on Health were expressed on improved access to clinics and medical facilities with doctors and nurses, medicine and emergency services. Transportation to the medical facilities for elderly and people with disability was also requested.

On Governance and Leadership, people indicated transparency in decision making, equal distribution of Government funding to communities, honest and good leadership at all levels and anti-corruption.

Law and Order and Peaceful Country encompass police presence at community level, stop violence and reduce land disputes.

Solomon Islanders expressed concerns on Environment Protection and Resource Management, in particular on damages to environment and bio diversity, waste management and negative effect of logging and mining. This also includes impact of climate change and natural hazards such as earthquake and tsunami on their lives.

On youth issues Solomon Islanders suggested more job opportunities, including engaging them in community and church activities to prevent them from anti-social behaviour. Gender equality was also touched upon by a number of the above issues.

The results of the national consultation will be reflected in a final report from the Solomon Islands, which will serve as a key input to the UN Secretary General’s report to the High Level Meeting, which will take place in September 2013 on the occasion of the UN General Assembly, to facilitate the formulation of the post 2015 global development agenda.

ENDS

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