50th birthday milestone celebrated

By Sarafina Sanerivi 24 March 2016, 12:00AM

Prime Minister Tuilaepa Sa’ilele Malielegaoi has thanked the United Nations Development Programme (U.N.D.P) for its contribution to Samoa’s development over the years.

Tuilaepa expressed Samoa’s gratitude in front of the government building on Monday where the U.N.D.P’s staff members, partner agencies and members of the public gathered for a very special occasion.

It was the commemoration of the organization’s 50th birthday, which was an opportunity to reflect on the achievements over the last five decades.

The celebration started with a parade from the Fire Station towards the government building.

More than 250 students, both from Upolu and Savai’i, took part in the parade.

A few weeks ago, U.N.D.P provided the selected schools with educational materials on the Sustainable Development Goals (S.D.Gs) and invited them to work on a specific goal. 

The initiative aimed at helping the students learn and familiarize themselves with the Global Goals. Since then, pupils and teachers, have been debating on how we can translate the S.D.Gs into action. 

During the ceremony, one representative from each school presented on how best Samoa can work through their communities and the Government to make the S.D.Gs a reality. 

“The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development is broad and complex and now, more than ever, we need to foster participation and engage with all sectors of society,” U.N Resident Coordinator, Lizbeth Cullity, said in a statement.

“The S.D.Gs are our last chance to build a more prosperous and peaceful planet for all but if we fail, young children and youth will be the most affected. 

“For that reason, they need to be informed, consulted and contribute to the implementation of the development goals over the next fifteen years.”

Here are some photos from the event.

By Sarafina Sanerivi 24 March 2016, 12:00AM
Samoa Observer

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