The goal of this initiative is to provide opportunities for the Pacific youth to share creative ideas, using their own language and creative thinking that could help improve the health and wellbeing in their communities and contribute to addressing non-communicable diseases (NCDs).
As the leading cause of preventable death accounting for 60 to 75% in the region, NCDs, principally diabetes, cardiovascular and respiratory diseases as well as cancers, constitute a crisis of epidemic proportion with major implications for the future development of Pacific Islands Countries and Territories. Tobacco, harmful use of alcohol, poor diets (e.g., diets rich in sugar, salt, fats, and processed foods and low in fruits and vegetables) combined with lack of physical activity, are the leading risk factors for NCDs.
In 2011, due to the significant and growing burden of NCDs, Pacific Island leaders declared that NCDs had become “a human, social and economic crisis” in the region, that required an urgent and comprehensive response.
Convinced that youth are the future of the islands and play a critical role in adopting healthy lifestyle, SPC invites youth aged between 18 and 30 years to become the Pacific NCD Youth Ambassadors to contribute to Pacific people wellbeing. Through this initiative, those selected will receive technical guidance and professional support to implement Youth’s innovative activities designed to prevent and control NCDs in their communities.
Eligibility
- Youth aged 18–30 from one of the SPC’s member Pacific Island Countries and Territories can apply.
- Youth will need to form teams of 3 to 5 people.
Application
- To apply, complete the attached entry form and email it to the following address: Health-Enquiries@spc.int. It will take only a few minutes to complete. Only successful candidates will be notified the outcome of the applications.
