United Kingdom (Commonwealth Union)_ In a bid to empower young entrepreneurs across the Pacific region, a group of young professionals has established the Commonwealth Alliance of Young Entrepreneurs (CAYE) – Pacific, in collaboration with the Commonwealth Youth Programme. The latest Commonwealth Youth Network seeks to foster economic and social development by promoting intra-regional collaboration, innovation, and knowledge sharing among youth development partners.
The virtual launch was attended by government officials and business leaders, and featured a roundtable discussion concerning youth entrepreneurship’s state in the Pacific. Dr Mema Motusaga, Chief Executive Officer of the Ministry of Women, Community, and Social Development in Samoa, a keynote speaker at the event, praised CAYE Pacific, highlighting it as a specific youth-focused approach and its potential to drive progress in significant Sustainable Development Goals, particularly those addressing youth unemployment and economic growth. She stressed the importance of involving young people as development partners and acknowledging their contributions.
Dr Mema Motusaga said, “Young people are doing the work to lead the charge for the progression of some of our most important development goals. As such, it is pertinent that those of us in positions of policy and decision-making, work with young people as development partners and recognize the meaningful and often-times voluntary work they undertake to serve as forces for positive and sustainable development. The young people who initiated the process of establishing the CAYE Pacific network in collaboration with the Youth Programme are small but powerful examples of this.”
Chairperson of CAYE-Pacific, Alex Andric, highlighted the network’s focus on connecting innovative young entrepreneurs in the region, granting them access to local and international events, creating collaboration opportunities with other CAYE networks in Africa and Asia, and enabling them to leverage the Commonwealth Advantage. Zachary Harrigan, CAYE-Pacific Vice-Chairperson, underlined the network’s plan to provide policy analysis and suggestions to improve governments and administrations.
CAYE-Pacific is designed based on the existing Commonwealth networks in Asia, the Caribbean, and Africa, all established with the efforts of the Commonwealth Secretariat. Sushil Ram, Commonwealth Advisor for Youth Development, commended the CAYE-Pacific Executive Committee for steering the network and reiterated the Commonwealth Youth Programme’s commitment to supporting their endeavors.
Ram emphasized the role of entrepreneurship in contributing to wealth creation, poverty reduction, and human capital development, and highlighted the importance of fostering a supportive ecosystem. He urged Commonwealth member nations, associated organizations, chambers of commerce, policymakers, and business owners to actively engage in guiding and mentoring young entrepreneurs, collaborating with CAYE Pacific to amplify their initiatives.
The inaugural CAYE-Pacific Committee consists of Alexander Andric as Chairperson; Zachary Harrigan as Vice Chairperson; Executive Committee Members representing various Pacific nations, which include Sakshi Thakur from Australia, Kim Nguyen from Australia, Tevita Rakula from Fiji, Best A. Uthakhamkong from New Zealand, Bradley Yombon-Copio from Papua New Guinea, and Kevin Chuster from Samoa.
