Service lines

1.2 Pro-poor policy reform to achieve MDG targets

Through the UN joint programme focusing on the development of young people in Samoa called the TALAVOU (Towards A Legacy of Achievement, Versatility and Opportunity through Unity), UNDP supports youth development through income generation initiatives; capacity building and skills training; as well as increasing their self-esteem. Extremely high unemployment rates, high suicide rates, rising incidences of sexually transmitted diseases, teen pregnancies and growing crime have been compelling reasons to approach issues affecting young people in a multidisciplinary way. The programme will be an excellent test for the UN’s capacity for coordinating its development agenda around common initiatives with the ultimate goal of achieving the MDGs.  Already activities sponsored by UNDP and ILO in employment generation will soon be implemented.  As well, with technical assistance from the Regional Pacific Sub Regional Centre, business incubators in food processing and arts and crafts promise to make a big deal of nurturing future businessmen and women and promote the efforts of young entrepreneurs.

Policy advice to government on the development of macroeconomic polices geared to bring about hardship and poverty reduction is a highlight of the Country Programme for Samoa. A combination of top advisers from the Regional Centre in Colombo and the Pacific Sub Regional Centre, as well as national experts have come together to provide Samoa with its suggestions and evidenced-based recommendations for sound poverty reduction macroeconomic policy.  The Macroeconomic of Poverty Reduction Case Study for Samoa Report will be launched later in 2006 by some of UNDP’s senior officers and the government.

Reaching one of the most marginalised groups in society, the UN Volunteers Programme has been undertaking the Empowerment of Rural People with Disabilities (ERPD) project in Samoa funded by the Japan Trust Fund. The project was implemented in 2002-2004 to deliver effective special needs services and to increase the capabilities of people with disabilities to develop income opportunities and raise awareness about their needs and potential contributions to society.

This programme combined the total of 9 international and national UNVs to successfully reach parents, teachers and community leaders in educational training, home care and livelihoods.  In 2006, the ERPD project second phase is continuing its support by extending the activities to include school-age kids with hearing disabilities, providing 3 national UNV special needs teachers and teaching aids to the two pilot schools. This fundamental support to the two schools is very important in setting the ground for further support to people with disabilities. The project is also empowering the people with disabilities by developing the sign language toolkit for deaf people.