2 ND HIGH LEVEL MEETING ON SOUTH-SOUTH COOPERATION FOR CHILD RIGHT IN ASIA AND THE PACIFIC TONGA STATEMENT

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1 2 ND HIGH LEVEL MEETING ON SOUTH-SOUTH COOPERATION FOR CHILD RIGHT IN ASIA AND THE PACIFIC TONGA STATEMENT Greeting from the Kingdom of Tonga to everyone. Mālō e lelei! Introduction Tonga is a constitutional monarchy that was established in It is an archipelago nation with population of 0.12 million. It sits on the rim of fire, thus frequented by earthquake, and being on the tropic subjects to effect of climate change like sea level rising and cyclone and other natural disasters. Despite enjoying political stability since the establishment of the Constitutional Monarchy there are problems that forms barrier for the adolescence of today- the Tonga of tomorrow- to live a productive and enjoyable life in the uture. A. SUCCESSES Initiatives for Youth (& Adolescence included): I. This Tonga National Youth Strategy This Tonga National Youth Strategy (developed in 2006 through the joint efforts of the Ministry of Training, Employment, Youth & Sports of Tonga and the Tonga National Youth Congress) developed to address the challenges and issues relating to youth. Its vision is: To improve the quality of life of young people through fostering an empowering environment that promotes employment creation, skills development, healthy living, community service and mainstreaming youth participation in development. The National Youth Strategy aligns with National Strategic Plan 8 and its objectives, is a response at the national level to address youth concerns and issues so that young people of Tonga can look forward to a better future and the fulfillment of their aspirations and needs. It results from extensive consultations and brings together the stakeholders Government Ministries and agencies, Non-Government Organisations, Civil Society Organisations, Community and Faith-based Organisations and different youth groups. It has 5 Objectives to be achieved by 2012 were Objective 1: Employment Creation; to eliminate through targeted and equitable employment and income generating opportunities. Objective 2: Objective 3: 1 P a g e Skills Development; that all young people are provided with educational opportunities which develop their talents and abilities, and help ensure a prosperous future for individuals and communities. Healthy living; to support and empower all youth of Tonga to practice healthy lifestyles and behaviour through accessing high quality health education, life

2 Objective 4: Objective 5: skills training and youth-friendly health services. Community service; the values of community service are recognised at all levels of society and encourage young people to play and active role in community development. Participation and Advocacy; to foster national pride and full participation of young people in decision making and the development of their communities encouraged. Some of the Strategic Actions were Youth Enterprise Development Design and implement a country wide program for the development of youth enterprises. Strengthen youth participation in small-scale fisheries, aquaculture, eco-tourism and micro-business. Strengthen youth participation in sports as a means of employment. Create the capacity (institutionalisation) for youth to actively develop their creative and artistic talent and participation in both social and economic activity as a means of generating income. Resource Mobilisation Establish the Tonga Youth Development Trust Fund to support sustainable youth enterprises. Public Awareness Design and implement a national public awareness and communication strategy for information dissemination on youth enterprises. Establish an Annual Youth Festival to showcase entertainment, trade and career opportunities. Enforce national employment registration of unemployed youth to improve employment referral. Equality of Opportunity Ensure equal access and opportunities for youth with disabilities in all employment sectors. Ensure gender equality in all initiatives. Another initiative Youth Leadership Program run by Tonga Civil Society in collaboration with Ministry for Youth and National Youth Council 1. Leadership training for High School Prefects (age yo) 2 P a g e

3 2. Youth age to elect representative to Youth Parliament conducted after every three years since 2007 to have their issues and concern heard by government leaders during Parliament deliberation 3. Leadership Program for age 10+ children from the nation rum by the. It started in 2011 and it involves identifying core leadership values on national survey and allow children to engage in school and community project to give opportunity to put his ideas into action. EDUCATION The Constitution since it was established states that it is compulsory for a child 6 to enter primary and remain in school for 8 years. Net enrolment rate at primary school levels (Year 1-6 is at 94%) and transition rate from primary to secondary is 86%. The challenge here is strengthen Central Information system (EMIS) and to account for the missing children. There is gender parity in enrolment at primary school and secondary schools but the girls are out-performing boys from age 10 to 18 yo Despite this there is a significant proposition of adolescents dropping out from school and some hidden in school not achieving the learning outcomes. They are not equipped with quality education to contribute actively to the nation s economy, their family and miss his future aspiration. Ministry of Education engage on Education sector-wide project Tonga education Support Program (TESP), with New Zealand Aid and World Bank in 2005 to the present. It involves not only reviewing curriculum but grants to school for textbooks. teaching resources and classroom environment. The grant address equity by taking account school location, community average income and transport cost. Review of curriculum after a national consultation on outcome of education wanted by parents and students, teachers, employers and stakeholders. It comes out that people wanted school leavers not only well prepared for higher education and employment but foremost to take pride in their identity as Tongan with inherit core values of respect, humility, reciprocity and commitment and those for good citizenship. A language policy was established that the medium of instruction at ECE and first three years of primary be the Tongan Language or the mother language, to facilitate transmission of cultural values and have solid grounding in one s first language. Establish Inclusive Education Policy in 2007 and Piloted Inclusive Education classes. It is presently took to train teacher for inclusive education classes to establish in key district. 3 P a g e

4 1840 Declaration of Vava u Code (Founding Father s Realization: My people perish for lack of knowledge. ) It piloted in 2012 a School Leavers Program) giving classes for school leaves without formal qualification to finish, and to get formal qualification. Expanding and strengthening the provision of TVET programs to enable students getting necessary skills and attitude for employment. Establishing of 2 higher levels of secondary education at remote islands /center gives equity to adolescents and parents of remote communities. This allows students to get the stable support of parents and community. This save them from becoming victims of urbanization. (cultural shock and marginalization) Reviewed Education Bill just passed in Parliament extends compulsory school age from 6-13 yo to HEALTH Alcohol, Drugs, communicable diseases and teenage pregnancies Support services on health issues of adolescence is provided in school by Tonga Family Health and check for sexually abused students. A. LAW AND POLICY REFORMS Domestic violence and child abuse has been a significant problem that despite number reported is small, we regard the few reported case as tip of the ice-berg. Family Protection Bill passed in Parliament in September It gives protection to mother and child from abuse at home. It gives authority to Police, Women and children Crisis Centers, Medical officer to initiate the protection order and process the complain. Challenges a) Geographical isolation of islands b) Vulnerability to natural disaster and effect of Climate Changes c) Reliable Data Collection System and interpretation with data disaggregated to age, sex and other characteristics needed for decision-making, monitoring and policy formulation. d) Establish a National Disability Policy/Legislation 4 P a g e

5 e) Public Awareness/Understanding/ Commitment for Right of children with Disability, abuse and neglected. f) Funding & Resources g) Technology divide between parents and adolescents. h) Parents religious faith and traditional often restrict them from giving Family Life Education to children allowing them to learn it from peers and media (eg sexuality is a taboo). Way forward 1. Learn from best practices elsewhere like countries and Development Partners of Asia and Pacific region. 2. Establish network for knowledge and experience sharing. Sharing can be in both success and failure. 3. Responsibility and duty to our adolescents is so important and of high priority that should be matched with budget allocation and commitment. Tongan rally /saying : Ko Ho Loto pē! which literally translates What matters is what is in your Hearts! Listen to the Music of your hearts. The only Music that counts. Malo aupito! Thank you Chair, Ladies and Gentlemen, Host (Government of India), UNICEF & Development partners for allowing Tonga to participate in this important meeting 5 P a g e