PACIFIC youth delegates had a chance to share their views on culture, heritage and environment at the Youth Speak! Workshop during the 11th Festival of Pacific Arts in Honiara, Solomon Islands last week.
The workshop was organised by the Pacific Islands Museum Association (PIMA), which collaborated with the International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS).
"In the Pacific, youth are often put on the sidelines," said Tarisi Vunidilo, PIMA secretary general. "PIMA decided that at this year's festival, we would give them due consideration."
A key issue was the impact of climate change on environment and culture.
Of her experience Elsei Tellei, a 19-year-old college student from Palau, said: "I hadn't realised how many different aspects there are to preserving our culture and heritage. It can seem really intimidating but we've discussed different action plans, so it'll be a little easier."
Ms Tellei plans to file a report with her country's youth council.
Rameka Alexander-Tu'inukuafe, a 24-year-old architecture student from New Zealand, said he learnt about the role of culture in sustainable infrastructure and development.
"We can develop economically but not step on culture and heritage. Instead, they should be the main drivers of everything we do in the Pacific," he said.