The Ministry of Development Planning and Aid Coordination (MDPAC) in partnership with the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) recently held a Population and Development Workshop in Marau, Guadalcanal Province.
A total of 25 participants who attended the 3 day workshop from 26-28 September were employed as provincial government officers, head teachers, non-government organization, youth and women representatives and community leaders in and around Marau.
Welcoming the participants on behalf of the Government of Solomon Islands and the Ministry of Development Planning and Aid Coordination (MDPAC) Mr. Francis Sulua said the workshop is one key activity under the mandate of MDPAC Social Sector Division to urge provincial planners and other senior officers of the Province in mainstreaming critical population issues in the provincial planning and decision making process.
Mr. Sulua pointed out the significance of using available population data in planning and decision making at all levels of the society – from the lowest village, community, provincial to the highest national levels.
Mr. Sulua said “The Ministry, with the assistance of UNFPA had conducted workshops in 9 provincial headquarters and intend to also conduct workshops in provincial sub-stations. Hence, we are happy to come to Marau, as the first provincial sub-station to conduct the Population and Development and Data Utilization Workshop”.
A consultant and facilitator, Ms. Noelyn Biliki, also stressed that the area of population and development need to be urgently strengthened at the provincial planning and policy levels. Ms. Biliki asserted that the knowledge and capacity of provincial planners and other government workers need enhancement and strengthening.
Speaking on behalf of the participants, Administrative Officer for Marau sub-station, Mr. Stanley Tova expressed appreciation to UNFPA and the Solomon Islands Government. He said the workshop had indeed built the capacity of the participants through the use of available population data such as the 2009 Solomon Islands National Census Data for planning and decision making in their respective areas of work.
“We are so grateful that the ministry has seen it fit to bring the workshop to Marau. The three day workshop has given us some light in learning that information is power and is important for progress. One cannot do any proper planning if one does not have any information. We have learned from data technology that population growth trends over time need to be accommodated in our future service delivery planning in all sectors, communities, families, and the province as a whole. In this vein, I wish to urge that a more consolidated effort must be enhanced to strengthen all stakeholders’ linkage in the implementation process of the policy document,” Tova said.
Participants fully appreciated the focus of the workshop on information sharing and its usage, the importance of reliable and available information to guide and to direct decision on development priority needs at all levels of decision making and need to realize population data as a key planning tool for our development.
Actions points based on the discussion are the following;
· Information Sharing –the population data or such workshop to be conducted for MPs and MPAs with the view to enable them to direct some constituency development funds (CDF) to address population issues and planning for development programs.
· National Population Policy –community involvement to implement the NDS, NPP and national policies. The NPP to be translated at the provincial level. MDPAC to consider the issue and determine how this can be best addressed.
· Constituency and Ward Plans –suggestion to consult MPs to align plans at the constituency and ward levels to be linked to the NDS and NPP. This will help to address some of the population issues and challenges.
· Second chance Education – Girls who have been pushed out of the education system for various reasons be given a second chance at an appropriate time.
The Ministry of Development Planning and Aid Coordination sincerely thanked the Management and Administration of Marau Sub-Station and all participants for responding to the Ministry’s invitation and for a very successful workshop.
– Government Communications Unit
