THE Solomon Islands Red Cross Society National Youth Committee (NYC) has successfully held its meeting on Tuesday and the highlight of the meeting was the election of its National Board representative.
The new National Board representatives will lead the Committee for the coming four years and who is the voice of the National Society youths in the National Board.
The meeting was held ahead of the National Society General Assembly which is scheduled to be held today at the St Barnabas Cathedral Desmond Probets Hall.
Speaking during the meeting, the Solomon Islands Red Cross Society Secretary General, Clement Manuri, stated that the National Youth Committee is important as it provides for youths to raise their issues.
“The National Youth Committee platform is quite important, given the fact that it is where our National Society youths can be able to raise whatever their issues are to the National Board and more generally to the National Society to look to address,” he said.
The committee also elected, Matthew Paikea Bibao, as its National Board Representative for the next four years.
On his election, Mr Paikea Bibao said he was thankful for the trust and confidence the National Youth Committee members have placed on him to lead the National Society Youths for the next couple of years.
“I am truly honoured to be given the opportunity to lead the National Youth Committee and more so be a youth representative in the National Board. Indeed, alone, I will not be able to do anything. Likewise, success can only come if we work together.
“I am looking forward to be working with you to ensure we raise not only the issues that are affecting the youths within the National Society but those of our youths in this country as well,” he said.
The National Board Youth representative position was held by Shenthel Soaki, in the past four years.
Ms Soaki in her final remarks stated that leading in this role will not be easy.
“Likewise, there are also opportunities to learn to be able to enhance the leadership capacity one has as he or she leads,” she added.
She also encouraged the National Youth Committee and more so the newly elected National Board representative to be take on perform the role to help the youths within the country.
“Youth presence in the National Board is equally important as the rest of the team. The past four years has been awesome but also challenging. Yet, we are privileged enough to be on top of some regional youth commitments including being part of the Pacific Youth Network, National Society Youth Policy, Volunteering Policy, establishing of youth representatives in the branch boards, establishment of the National Youth Committee, representation of National Youth Committee at international and regional youth meetings and others. I trust that you will be proactive, prioritise, cooperate and execute your work well in the coming years,” Ms Soaki said.
