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On Friday, May 17, Solomon Islands National University (SINU) successfully held a symposium to mark the European Day. The two-hour symposium, under the theme โDecentralized Service Delivery for Peace and Unity in Solomon Islands,โ was supported by the EU, UNDP, UNICEF, and the Ministry of Provincial Government and Institutional Strengthening (MPGIS).
The aim of the symposium was to empower future leaders by strengthening provincial government for impactful development. The highlight of the event included a panel discussion, presentations, and a Q&A session, fostering knowledge sharing and networking.
Speaking at the event, MPGIS Deputy Secretary Robert Kaua emphasized that, “European day reminds us of the value of peace and unity that binds nations together transcending borders. He further stated that the European Union is a module of cooperation, solidarity and an example of how such a union of countries with different cultural identities can work together effectively as a unified political entity”.
Also speaking at the event, UNDP OIC Patrick Pee highlighted, โthe common values that underlie life in Europe are freedom, democracy, equality, the rule of law, and promoting peace and stabilityโ.
Mr. Pee encouraged Solomon Islanders to identify their own path to development through either centralization or decentralization to move the country forward.
In his remarks, the SINU Vice Chancellor Professor Transform Aqorau thanked students, staff, stakeholders, and panellists for making the event a successful one.
Prof.Aqorau said,” SINU is glad to organize the forum on decentralization, stating that the idea is not new since the country has been discussing decentralization well before the country gained its political independence in 1978”.
With that, the SINU VC said the issue of decentralization and empowerment of communities has many dimensions to it where he said as a university SINU has a responsibility and a role to play in ensuring this kind of conversation happens between government, donors, communities.
The VC then shared a view that Solomon Islands cannot possibly be governed from a centralized position given its geographical location.
The event concluded with a panel discussion featuring: Robert Kaua Deputy Secretary MPGIS, Professor Transform Aqorau SINU VC, Ms Josie-Anne Ashley, SINYC General Secretary, Ms Sharon Inone Mekupe, CEO & Founder of Greenergy Pacific, and Mr.David Lidimani.
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