Samoa Launches new Youth Policy 2026-2031 & Youth Advisory Committee

By Jeannie Penehuro/

Apia, SAMOA – 20 July 2026 – The Ministry of Family and Social Affairs officially launched the Samoa Youth Policy 2026-2031 and re-established the Samoa Youth Advisory Committee today. Its goal is to expand opportunities in youth leadership, education, employment, wellbeing, and meaningful participation.

In launching the policy, the Deputy Prime Minister Mulipola Anarosa Ale Molio’o, said, “Youth development begins in the family, strengthen with villages, guided by church, supported by schools.”

The new policy aims to create a unified vision for Samoa, encouraging collaboration among government, villages, districts, churches, families, civil society, the private sector, and development partners.

“The future of Samoa must be built for our people, with our people, and by our people. Our young people must be at the center of the future,” Mulipola stated.

The Deputy Prime Minister, Mulipola Anarosa Ale Molio’o during her keynote address to launch the Youth Policy 2026/2031

The Policy’s theme uses the Samoan saying, “Toe Timata le Upega” – Cast the Net Anew – symbolizing a collective and inclusive effort.

“In our Samoan way, the net cannot be cast by one person alone; it takes many hands, strength, patience, and faith,” Mulipola explained.

She added that when the net is cast successfully, it benefits the entire family, village, and nation.

To “cast the net wider,” Mulipola stressed the need to open more opportunities and ensure no youth are left behind.

The Australian High Commissioner, His Excellency, Will Robinson compared investing in youth to a tree planted today that will provide shade tomorrow.

She also highlighted that the policy responds to contemporary challenges faced by young people, such as limited job opportunities, violence, health and mental issues, drugs, alcohol, and the feeling that their voices are not heard.

A vital component of the new policy is the Samoa Youth Advisory Committee, which Mulipola described as the voice of young people across villages and Samoa as a whole.

This committee that is representative of the country’s young people, will play a crucial role in representing youth interests and fostering their active participation.

The Australian High Commissioner His Excellency Will Robinson shared a Samoan proverb, “O le la’au e toto nei e malu ai taeao” meaning “the tree planted today will provide shade tomorrow.”

He sed the metaphor to emphasize that Samoa’s Youth Policy is exactly that shade, an investment in the future generations.

The launch event concluded with a traditional ribbon-cutting ceremony, performed by the Ministry of Family and Social Affairs and a choir performing the Ministry’s Theme song “Let Them Dream, Let Them Fly, Let Them Lead.”

The Ministry of Family and Social Development, Chief Executive Officer, Loau Donina Va’a, emphasized that the song was composed and written by the Ministry as their Theme Song during CHOGM 2024.

Members of the re-established Samoa Youth Advisory Committee.

Members of the Samoa Youth Advisory Committee:
Ala Alefaio
Alovale Filoi
Enoka Junior Leroy
Fetalaiga Fiu
Iliganoa Feagaima’ali’i Soti Mapu
Isa’ako Tuato
Jeremiah Kereti
Joy Filisoaina Alofipo
Louis Kaisara
Maea Vaimili Tolova’a
Kasele Lealaogata
Matia Seuamuli
Mele Afano
Petronilla Molio’o
Petelo Lealailesalanoa
Saivaega Toma
Timena Angelina Isa’ako
Valerie Tapunu’u
Victoria Ah Siu.