Bradley wants to empower young Pacific leaders

The National People

By NATHAN WOTI
AT the age of 26, Bradley Yombon-Copio is behind the initiative to create a platform for young leaders in the Pacific region to have a voice in addressing issues such as education.
“If the discussion is around issues that will affect our future, young people must be a part of the dialogue, we must be a part of the process and our voices must be heard. After all, this is a future we will inherit. And so we must be actively involved in co-creating and shaping the future we wish to see.”
The man from Wabag in Enga, a former student representative council president at the University of PNG, believes that the representation of young people and the need for young people to take a lead and present their views in various areas is crucial in this day and age. It includes discussion on issues not only on education but also on climate action, youth development, digitalisation and governance.
“Young people must lead the push to a more sustainable future. The sustainable development goals emphasise the need for a more sustainable and inclusive future.”
Bradley is currently an executive member of the Global Student Forum and the Commonwealth Students Association, representing the University of Technology and University of PNG.
The association is an international student organisation established by 56 Commonwealth education ministers in 2012.
He has been the association’s Pacific regional representative since 2022.
What helped him get the position was his role as the UPNG student representative council president in 2021, supported by the endorsement of then Secretary of Higher Education Dr. Francis Hualupmomi.
“As the association’s Pacific regional representative, my role is to advocate in high-level platforms on the behalf of students in the Pacific. Also to promote international and regional collaboration between students in the Pacific with other regions.”
He wants to promote the important role students must play in the education system.
“They are not only learners but also important stakeholders in any education system.”
The key advocacy points include:

  • PROMOTING student rights and welfare;
  • QUALITY education;
  • BETTER financing for education;
  • DIGITALISATION of education;
  • IMPORTANCE of student leadership and soft skills; and,
  • DECOLONISATION of education.
Former University of PNG Student Representative Council president Bradley Yombon-Copio at a Young Pacific Leaders event last year in Auckland, New Zealand. – Pictures supplied.

He is currently driving an initiative to not only promote the role of young people in education but also to build a strong regional network of young people in the Pacific.
“It is an opportunity for tertiary students in the Pacific Islands to work together.
“This regional initiative for Pacific student engagement is something I am proud to lead. It not only promotes the potential of young people but also our ability to provide leadership in the Pacific.”
The 2024 regional engagement will take more than a month. Bradley plans to work with young leaders from Samoa, Solomon Islands, Vanuatu and Fiji.
He will be travelling to these Pacific Island countries to run programmes in their national universities.
“I think this is extremely humbling and a rare privilege for me to share ideas and engage with all these amazing individuals who are the future of the Pacific region. This is what I am mostly looking forward to. And knowing that I am contributing to regional development as a young Papua New Guinean is extremely humbling.”

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