1.     Source of funding

 Member government contributions and non-member contributions

2.     Mission and objectives

To support Pacific Island countries and territories with the design and delivery of social policy, programmes and services.

The programme will focus on the following objectives for the five-year period 2008-2012.

Objective 1 To assist the adoption and implementation of an integrated approach to social policy, programmes and services
Objective 2 To build national-level capacity to respond to human and social development needs
Objective 3 To develop and strengthen networks and partnerships and improve coordination of social and human development programmes and services
Objective 4 To strengthen knowledge and approaches for improved human development

3.     Areas of work relating to youth employment

Policy, capacity building, skills and employability

4.     Partners and areas of partnership

European Union, Pacific Islands Forum, Pacific Islands Museum Association, Pacific Agriculture and Forestry Policy Network

5.     Potential or existing partnership with the ILO

6.     Successful youth employment interventions

 The Human Development Programme (HDP) is part of the Social Resources Division of SPC. It was formed by a merger of the Community Education and Training Centre (CETC), and the former Cultural Affairs Programme, Pacific Youth Bureau and Pacific Women’s Bureau.

The SPC Human Development Programme (HDP) works to improve people’s opportunities for safe, secure and sustainable livelihoods. The HDP has a particular focus on bringing gender, youth, culture and community education to the forefront of development.

The Programme aims to nurture an all-inclusive approach across all sectors to maximise the development potential of the entire community and help people achieve a better quality of life. The promotion of cultural industries is a key priority of the department.

     1. Work with governments, non-government agencies and communities to promote more balanced and people-centred development
     2. Improve data and statistics on human development issues
     3. Undertake research on emerging issues such as gender based violence and child abuse
     4. Provide training to strengthen community-based approaches
     5. Assist with regional and international events such as the Festival of Pacific Arts and the Pacific Youth Festival

 An example of an initiative affecting youth is the 2009 research aimed at discovering what features of their environment encourage young people to participate in agricultural activities. This is being used to provide baseline data for the development of the Pacific Youth and Agriculture Strategy 2010–2015. The strategy is aimed at encouraging and empowering young people who live in rural areas to take advantage of self-employment opportunities that can contribute to higher agriculture productivity, improved livelihoods and reduced pressure on urban centres. It seeks to identify key strategies and actions that agriculture, youth and partnering ministries can implement to support young people in their personal and professional development.