{"id":7800,"date":"2020-08-18T12:00:00","date_gmt":"2020-08-18T02:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/testblogs.griffith.edu.au\/asiainsights\/?p=7800"},"modified":"2023-03-29T14:37:54","modified_gmt":"2023-03-29T04:37:54","slug":"a-closer-look-at-youth-entrepreneurship-in-the-pacific","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/testblogs.griffith.edu.au\/asiainsights\/a-closer-look-at-youth-entrepreneurship-in-the-pacific\/","title":{"rendered":"A closer look at youth entrepreneurship in the Pacific"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Recently, the Lowy Institute published a brief analysis of the population <a href=\"https:\/\/www.lowyinstitute.org\/publications\/demanding-future-navigating-pacific-youth-bulge\">\u2018youth bulge\u2019 of Pacific states<\/a>. This is an important and timely primer. As author, Catherine Wilson, notes some half of the regional population is <a href=\"https:\/\/sdd.spc.int\/topic\/population\">under the age of 23<\/a>. The developmental futures of Pacific states are intrinsically intertwined with the opportunities available to their youth populations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The overview provided an insightful snapshot of the issues being faced by the young people of the region. Rather than repeating lazy claims often associated with youth bulge theory that large youth populations necessitate a security risk, Wilson looked at the education and employment opportunities and challenges young people face in the Pacific. She also identified social issues that they must navigate, including those related to mental health, gender based violence and increasing rates of poor nutrition.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">One sticking point for me, however, was a brief mention of the capacity of entrepreneurship to provide livelihood opportunities for young people whose formal employment opportunities are poor. Although the discussion of entrepreneurship was brief it reflected a trend in development discourse in the region that views entrepreneurship as the great hope for driving down unemployment and boosting economic growth. This is visible in the abundance of youth livelihood and development projects and programs in the Pacific that include a focus on entrepreneurship.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">During research conducted in 2015 I located at least five such programs in Honiara alone. I even worked in one such project in Fiji in 2012 and 2013. So entrenched has entrepreneurship become in the discourse around how to provide \u2018development\u2019 to youth in a way that benefits national economies that Fiji has mainstreamed it as a priority area for youth employment through the \u2018<a href=\"https:\/\/yes.gov.fj\/\">Youth Entrepreneurship Scheme<\/a>\u2019 (YES). YES is designed to provide seed funding, business training and mentoring to potential entrepreneurs who have been unsuccessful in securing traditional financing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Anecdotal evidence suggests that the proliferation of programs aimed at enhancing the entrepreneurial capacity of Pacific youth is largely a result of interest for such projects from large donor bodies. Recent conversations that I have had with staff from multiple such agencies have confirmed the continued enthusiasm for supporting such projects.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Whether donor driven or a product of government policy, the bright red flag for such initiatives is the lack of evidence as to their efficacy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Wilson cites a <a href=\"http:\/\/ssgm.bellschool.anu.edu.au\/sites\/default\/files\/publications\/attachments\/2016-10\/dp_2016_7_evans_online.pdf\">paper by Daniel Evans<\/a> examining the employment landscape for Honiara youth. In an environment where youth entrepreneurial projects are abundant, Evans\u2019 paper curiously appears to be the only piece of academic work that discusses such projects in any depth. In it he writes, \u2018for an economy like Solomon Islands an entrepreneurial or capital-centric approach should take priority over formal employment programs, or, at the very least, be of equal relevance.\u2019<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Evans\u2019 assertion speaks to broader challenges that Pacific states face in terms of being able to grow their formal economies, largely as a result of their <a href=\"https:\/\/devpolicy.org\/in-search-of-a-pacific-model-of-growth-20140717\/\">geographical isolation<\/a>. His support for exploring entrepreneurship programs as a means to reduce youth unemployment and grow the economy of Solomon Islands is measured, however. Evans particularly notes that inadequate data is being captured and disaggregated regarding the efficacy of entrepreneurship streams within youth employment programs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Given the proliferation of youth employment projects and programs with entrepreneurial streams across the Pacific, the lack of data regarding their effectiveness is surprising. A <a href=\"https:\/\/www.dfat.gov.au\/sites\/default\/files\/solomon-islands-evaluation-youth-at-work-program.pdf\">2015 review<\/a> of the Solomon Islands-based Youth@Work program \u2013 regarded as an exemplar in Melanesia \u2013 found no significant improvement in employment outcomes for graduates compared to young people who had not accessed such a program.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">I am not suggesting that Youth@Work is a flawed program. Far from it. <a href=\"http:\/\/press-files.anu.edu.au\/downloads\/press\/n6024\/pdf\/ch06.pdf\">As I have reported elsewhere<\/a>, it has been important in reframing young people in Honiara as an asset rather than a threat.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Entrepreneurship can be an important component of long term planning to address economic and social issues that are compounded by the large youth populations of the Pacific. The potential for entrepreneurship to drive economic growth and employment is limited, though.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">To begin with, entrepreneurial environments cannot be created out of thin air. <a href=\"https:\/\/psycnet.apa.org\/record\/2006-11785-003\">Research<\/a> has shown that entrepreneurship requires highly individualised character traits that run counter to the sociocentric cultures of most Pacific communities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Evans remarks that where microenterprise efforts are supported, they need to be diversified and targeted to create sustainable market ecosystems rather than simply leading to the creation of ever-more canteens. He writes, \u2018Cash-constrained urban youth selling to similarly cash-constrained urban youth will not yield significant, long-term returns.\u2019<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The proliferation of entrepreneurship programs and projects as a salve for economic and social concerns also speaks to broader debates about what role economic growth models have in envisioning Pacific developmental futures. Approaches that <a href=\"https:\/\/link.springer.com\/chapter\/10.1007%2F978-1-349-04943-1_12\">centre culture<\/a> and imagine <a href=\"http:\/\/press-files.anu.edu.au\/downloads\/press\/p328371\/pdf\/appendix01.pdf\">locally-relevant<\/a> sustainable development have been put forward by Pacific thinkers for decades. The <a href=\"https:\/\/www.gov.vu\/index.php\/resources\/vanuatu-2030\">Vanuatu 2030 People\u2019s Plan<\/a> well articulates a vision of social, environmental and economic harmony.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The future of the Pacific is absolutely dependent on how it engages its youth populations, the opportunities available to young people and how they use them. In my opinion there is every likelihood that this future will be bright. Entrepreneurship may even play a part in achieving it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"Author label wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>AUTHOR<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Aidan Craney is a Lecturer in the Department of Social Inquiry at <a href=\"https:\/\/www.latrobe.edu.au\/\">La Trobe University<\/a> and development consultant. He tweets from&nbsp;<a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/AidanSeamus\" target=\"_blank\">@AidanSeamus<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><em>The Pacific Outlook series is an initiative of the&nbsp;<a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/www.griffith.edu.au\/asia-institute\/partnerships-collaborations\/pacific-hub\" target=\"_blank\">Pacific Hub<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The developmental futures of Pacific states are intrinsically intertwined with the entrepreneurial opportunities available to their youth populations. Aidan Craney discusses further. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":14,"featured_media":7802,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_lmt_disableupdate":"","_lmt_disable":"","_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_feature_clip_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[1427,1756,1021,248,1055],"tags":[1386,1299,986,1384,1101,1050,1385,1383],"class_list":["post-7800","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-pacific-forum","category-livelihoods-culture","category-pacific-outlook","category-png-and-the-pacific","category-economies-and-development","tag-aidan-craney","tag-employment","tag-entrepreneurs","tag-innovation","tag-pacific","tag-pacific-outlook","tag-solomon-island","tag-youth"],"acf":[],"modified_by":"Jill Moriarty","yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v28.0 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>A closer look at youth entrepreneurship in the Pacific | Griffith Asia Insights<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"The developmental futures of Pacific states are intrinsically intertwined with the entrepreneurial opportunities available to their youth populations. Aidan Craney discusses further.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/testblogs.griffith.edu.au\/asiainsights\/a-closer-look-at-youth-entrepreneurship-in-the-pacific\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"A closer look at youth entrepreneurship in the Pacific | Griffith Asia Insights\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"The developmental futures of Pacific states are intrinsically intertwined with the entrepreneurial opportunities available to their youth populations. Aidan Craney discusses further.\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/testblogs.griffith.edu.au\/asiainsights\/a-closer-look-at-youth-entrepreneurship-in-the-pacific\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"Griffith Asia Insights\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:publisher\" content=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/griffithasiainstitute\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2020-08-18T02:00:00+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2023-03-29T04:37:54+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.griffith.edu.au\/asiainsights\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2020\/08\/Pacific-young-entrepreneur-900x500-1.jpg?fit=900%2C500&ssl=1\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"900\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"500\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/jpeg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"Griffith Asia Institute\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:creator\" content=\"@GAIGriffith\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:site\" content=\"@GAIGriffith\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"Griffith Asia Institute\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"4 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\\\/\\\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"Article\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/testblogs.griffith.edu.au\\\/asiainsights\\\/a-closer-look-at-youth-entrepreneurship-in-the-pacific\\\/#article\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/testblogs.griffith.edu.au\\\/asiainsights\\\/a-closer-look-at-youth-entrepreneurship-in-the-pacific\\\/\"},\"author\":{\"name\":\"Griffith Asia Institute\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/testblogs.griffith.edu.au\\\/asiainsights\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/person\\\/8121b8aa336749474cbaca380c03029a\"},\"headline\":\"A closer look at youth entrepreneurship in the Pacific\",\"datePublished\":\"2020-08-18T02:00:00+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2023-03-29T04:37:54+00:00\",\"mainEntityOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/testblogs.griffith.edu.au\\\/asiainsights\\\/a-closer-look-at-youth-entrepreneurship-in-the-pacific\\\/\"},\"wordCount\":897,\"commentCount\":0,\"publisher\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/testblogs.griffith.edu.au\\\/asiainsights\\\/#organization\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/testblogs.griffith.edu.au\\\/asiainsights\\\/a-closer-look-at-youth-entrepreneurship-in-the-pacific\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/testblogs.griffith.edu.au\\\/asiainsights\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/2\\\/2020\\\/08\\\/Pacific-young-entrepreneur-900x500-1.jpg\",\"keywords\":[\"Aidan Craney\",\"employment\",\"Entrepreneurs\",\"Innovation\",\"Pacific\",\"Pacific outlook\",\"Solomon Island\",\"Youth\"],\"articleSection\":[\"Pacific Forum\",\"Pillar 2: Livelihoods and culture\",\"Region | Papua New Guinea and the Pacific\",\"Region-PNG and the Pacific\",\"Topic-Economies and development\"],\"inLanguage\":\"en-AU\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"CommentAction\",\"name\":\"Comment\",\"target\":[\"https:\\\/\\\/testblogs.griffith.edu.au\\\/asiainsights\\\/a-closer-look-at-youth-entrepreneurship-in-the-pacific\\\/#respond\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/testblogs.griffith.edu.au\\\/asiainsights\\\/a-closer-look-at-youth-entrepreneurship-in-the-pacific\\\/\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/testblogs.griffith.edu.au\\\/asiainsights\\\/a-closer-look-at-youth-entrepreneurship-in-the-pacific\\\/\",\"name\":\"A closer look at youth entrepreneurship in the Pacific | Griffith Asia Insights\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/testblogs.griffith.edu.au\\\/asiainsights\\\/#website\"},\"primaryImageOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/testblogs.griffith.edu.au\\\/asiainsights\\\/a-closer-look-at-youth-entrepreneurship-in-the-pacific\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/testblogs.griffith.edu.au\\\/asiainsights\\\/a-closer-look-at-youth-entrepreneurship-in-the-pacific\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/testblogs.griffith.edu.au\\\/asiainsights\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/2\\\/2020\\\/08\\\/Pacific-young-entrepreneur-900x500-1.jpg\",\"datePublished\":\"2020-08-18T02:00:00+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2023-03-29T04:37:54+00:00\",\"description\":\"The developmental futures of Pacific states are intrinsically intertwined with the entrepreneurial opportunities available to their youth populations. Aidan Craney discusses further.\",\"breadcrumb\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/testblogs.griffith.edu.au\\\/asiainsights\\\/a-closer-look-at-youth-entrepreneurship-in-the-pacific\\\/#breadcrumb\"},\"inLanguage\":\"en-AU\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"ReadAction\",\"target\":[\"https:\\\/\\\/testblogs.griffith.edu.au\\\/asiainsights\\\/a-closer-look-at-youth-entrepreneurship-in-the-pacific\\\/\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-AU\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/testblogs.griffith.edu.au\\\/asiainsights\\\/a-closer-look-at-youth-entrepreneurship-in-the-pacific\\\/#primaryimage\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/testblogs.griffith.edu.au\\\/asiainsights\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/2\\\/2020\\\/08\\\/Pacific-young-entrepreneur-900x500-1.jpg\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/testblogs.griffith.edu.au\\\/asiainsights\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/2\\\/2020\\\/08\\\/Pacific-young-entrepreneur-900x500-1.jpg\",\"width\":900,\"height\":500,\"caption\":\"entrepreneurial\"},{\"@type\":\"BreadcrumbList\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/testblogs.griffith.edu.au\\\/asiainsights\\\/a-closer-look-at-youth-entrepreneurship-in-the-pacific\\\/#breadcrumb\",\"itemListElement\":[{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":1,\"name\":\"Home\",\"item\":\"https:\\\/\\\/testblogs.griffith.edu.au\\\/asiainsights\\\/\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":2,\"name\":\"A closer look at youth entrepreneurship in the Pacific\"}]},{\"@type\":\"WebSite\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/testblogs.griffith.edu.au\\\/asiainsights\\\/#website\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/testblogs.griffith.edu.au\\\/asiainsights\\\/\",\"name\":\"Griffith Asia Insights\",\"description\":\"Asia Insights is published by the Griffith Asia Institute. It offers latest commentary on Asia-Pacific affairs and aims to inform and foster academic scholarship, public awareness and considered and responsive policy making.\",\"publisher\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/testblogs.griffith.edu.au\\\/asiainsights\\\/#organization\"},\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"SearchAction\",\"target\":{\"@type\":\"EntryPoint\",\"urlTemplate\":\"https:\\\/\\\/testblogs.griffith.edu.au\\\/asiainsights\\\/?s={search_term_string}\"},\"query-input\":{\"@type\":\"PropertyValueSpecification\",\"valueRequired\":true,\"valueName\":\"search_term_string\"}}],\"inLanguage\":\"en-AU\"},{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/testblogs.griffith.edu.au\\\/asiainsights\\\/#organization\",\"name\":\"Griffith Asia Institute\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/testblogs.griffith.edu.au\\\/asiainsights\\\/\",\"logo\":{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-AU\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/testblogs.griffith.edu.au\\\/asiainsights\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/logo\\\/image\\\/\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/i0.wp.com\\\/blogs.griffith.edu.au\\\/asiainsights\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/2\\\/2023\\\/10\\\/GU_Griffith-Asia-Institute_rgb_red_horizontal.png?fit=2930%2C308&ssl=1\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/i0.wp.com\\\/blogs.griffith.edu.au\\\/asiainsights\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/2\\\/2023\\\/10\\\/GU_Griffith-Asia-Institute_rgb_red_horizontal.png?fit=2930%2C308&ssl=1\",\"width\":2930,\"height\":308,\"caption\":\"Griffith Asia Institute\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/testblogs.griffith.edu.au\\\/asiainsights\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/logo\\\/image\\\/\"},\"sameAs\":[\"https:\\\/\\\/www.facebook.com\\\/griffithasiainstitute\\\/\",\"https:\\\/\\\/x.com\\\/GAIGriffith\"]},{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/testblogs.griffith.edu.au\\\/asiainsights\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/person\\\/8121b8aa336749474cbaca380c03029a\",\"name\":\"Griffith Asia Institute\",\"image\":{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-AU\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/secure.gravatar.com\\\/avatar\\\/f133de65681da3b20ddbc1917f066f458d355d7dfa1f214b10ff4bd135d5ab6c?s=96&d=mm&r=g\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/secure.gravatar.com\\\/avatar\\\/f133de65681da3b20ddbc1917f066f458d355d7dfa1f214b10ff4bd135d5ab6c?s=96&d=mm&r=g\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/secure.gravatar.com\\\/avatar\\\/f133de65681da3b20ddbc1917f066f458d355d7dfa1f214b10ff4bd135d5ab6c?s=96&d=mm&r=g\",\"caption\":\"Griffith Asia Institute\"},\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/testblogs.griffith.edu.au\\\/asiainsights\\\/author\\\/gaigriffith-edu-au\\\/\"}]}<\/script>\n<!-- \/ Yoast SEO plugin. -->","yoast_head_json":{"title":"A closer look at youth entrepreneurship in the Pacific | Griffith Asia Insights","description":"The developmental futures of Pacific states are intrinsically intertwined with the entrepreneurial opportunities available to their youth populations. Aidan Craney discusses further.","robots":{"index":"index","follow":"follow","max-snippet":"max-snippet:-1","max-image-preview":"max-image-preview:large","max-video-preview":"max-video-preview:-1"},"canonical":"https:\/\/testblogs.griffith.edu.au\/asiainsights\/a-closer-look-at-youth-entrepreneurship-in-the-pacific\/","og_locale":"en_US","og_type":"article","og_title":"A closer look at youth entrepreneurship in the Pacific | Griffith Asia Insights","og_description":"The developmental futures of Pacific states are intrinsically intertwined with the entrepreneurial opportunities available to their youth populations. Aidan Craney discusses further.","og_url":"https:\/\/testblogs.griffith.edu.au\/asiainsights\/a-closer-look-at-youth-entrepreneurship-in-the-pacific\/","og_site_name":"Griffith Asia Insights","article_publisher":"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/griffithasiainstitute\/","article_published_time":"2020-08-18T02:00:00+00:00","article_modified_time":"2023-03-29T04:37:54+00:00","og_image":[{"width":900,"height":500,"url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.griffith.edu.au\/asiainsights\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2020\/08\/Pacific-young-entrepreneur-900x500-1.jpg?fit=900%2C500&ssl=1","type":"image\/jpeg"}],"author":"Griffith Asia Institute","twitter_card":"summary_large_image","twitter_creator":"@GAIGriffith","twitter_site":"@GAIGriffith","twitter_misc":{"Written by":"Griffith Asia Institute","Est. reading time":"4 minutes"},"schema":{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"Article","@id":"https:\/\/testblogs.griffith.edu.au\/asiainsights\/a-closer-look-at-youth-entrepreneurship-in-the-pacific\/#article","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/testblogs.griffith.edu.au\/asiainsights\/a-closer-look-at-youth-entrepreneurship-in-the-pacific\/"},"author":{"name":"Griffith Asia Institute","@id":"https:\/\/testblogs.griffith.edu.au\/asiainsights\/#\/schema\/person\/8121b8aa336749474cbaca380c03029a"},"headline":"A closer look at youth entrepreneurship in the Pacific","datePublished":"2020-08-18T02:00:00+00:00","dateModified":"2023-03-29T04:37:54+00:00","mainEntityOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/testblogs.griffith.edu.au\/asiainsights\/a-closer-look-at-youth-entrepreneurship-in-the-pacific\/"},"wordCount":897,"commentCount":0,"publisher":{"@id":"https:\/\/testblogs.griffith.edu.au\/asiainsights\/#organization"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/testblogs.griffith.edu.au\/asiainsights\/a-closer-look-at-youth-entrepreneurship-in-the-pacific\/#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/testblogs.griffith.edu.au\/asiainsights\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2020\/08\/Pacific-young-entrepreneur-900x500-1.jpg","keywords":["Aidan Craney","employment","Entrepreneurs","Innovation","Pacific","Pacific outlook","Solomon Island","Youth"],"articleSection":["Pacific Forum","Pillar 2: Livelihoods and culture","Region | Papua New Guinea and the Pacific","Region-PNG and the Pacific","Topic-Economies and development"],"inLanguage":"en-AU","potentialAction":[{"@type":"CommentAction","name":"Comment","target":["https:\/\/testblogs.griffith.edu.au\/asiainsights\/a-closer-look-at-youth-entrepreneurship-in-the-pacific\/#respond"]}]},{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https:\/\/testblogs.griffith.edu.au\/asiainsights\/a-closer-look-at-youth-entrepreneurship-in-the-pacific\/","url":"https:\/\/testblogs.griffith.edu.au\/asiainsights\/a-closer-look-at-youth-entrepreneurship-in-the-pacific\/","name":"A closer look at youth entrepreneurship in the Pacific | Griffith Asia Insights","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/testblogs.griffith.edu.au\/asiainsights\/#website"},"primaryImageOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/testblogs.griffith.edu.au\/asiainsights\/a-closer-look-at-youth-entrepreneurship-in-the-pacific\/#primaryimage"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/testblogs.griffith.edu.au\/asiainsights\/a-closer-look-at-youth-entrepreneurship-in-the-pacific\/#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/testblogs.griffith.edu.au\/asiainsights\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2020\/08\/Pacific-young-entrepreneur-900x500-1.jpg","datePublished":"2020-08-18T02:00:00+00:00","dateModified":"2023-03-29T04:37:54+00:00","description":"The developmental futures of Pacific states are intrinsically intertwined with the entrepreneurial opportunities available to their youth populations. Aidan Craney discusses further.","breadcrumb":{"@id":"https:\/\/testblogs.griffith.edu.au\/asiainsights\/a-closer-look-at-youth-entrepreneurship-in-the-pacific\/#breadcrumb"},"inLanguage":"en-AU","potentialAction":[{"@type":"ReadAction","target":["https:\/\/testblogs.griffith.edu.au\/asiainsights\/a-closer-look-at-youth-entrepreneurship-in-the-pacific\/"]}]},{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-AU","@id":"https:\/\/testblogs.griffith.edu.au\/asiainsights\/a-closer-look-at-youth-entrepreneurship-in-the-pacific\/#primaryimage","url":"https:\/\/testblogs.griffith.edu.au\/asiainsights\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2020\/08\/Pacific-young-entrepreneur-900x500-1.jpg","contentUrl":"https:\/\/testblogs.griffith.edu.au\/asiainsights\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2020\/08\/Pacific-young-entrepreneur-900x500-1.jpg","width":900,"height":500,"caption":"entrepreneurial"},{"@type":"BreadcrumbList","@id":"https:\/\/testblogs.griffith.edu.au\/asiainsights\/a-closer-look-at-youth-entrepreneurship-in-the-pacific\/#breadcrumb","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Home","item":"https:\/\/testblogs.griffith.edu.au\/asiainsights\/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"A closer look at youth entrepreneurship in the Pacific"}]},{"@type":"WebSite","@id":"https:\/\/testblogs.griffith.edu.au\/asiainsights\/#website","url":"https:\/\/testblogs.griffith.edu.au\/asiainsights\/","name":"Griffith Asia Insights","description":"Asia Insights is published by the Griffith Asia Institute. It offers latest commentary on Asia-Pacific affairs and aims to inform and foster academic scholarship, public awareness and considered and responsive policy making.","publisher":{"@id":"https:\/\/testblogs.griffith.edu.au\/asiainsights\/#organization"},"potentialAction":[{"@type":"SearchAction","target":{"@type":"EntryPoint","urlTemplate":"https:\/\/testblogs.griffith.edu.au\/asiainsights\/?s={search_term_string}"},"query-input":{"@type":"PropertyValueSpecification","valueRequired":true,"valueName":"search_term_string"}}],"inLanguage":"en-AU"},{"@type":"Organization","@id":"https:\/\/testblogs.griffith.edu.au\/asiainsights\/#organization","name":"Griffith Asia Institute","url":"https:\/\/testblogs.griffith.edu.au\/asiainsights\/","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-AU","@id":"https:\/\/testblogs.griffith.edu.au\/asiainsights\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/","url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.griffith.edu.au\/asiainsights\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2023\/10\/GU_Griffith-Asia-Institute_rgb_red_horizontal.png?fit=2930%2C308&ssl=1","contentUrl":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.griffith.edu.au\/asiainsights\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2023\/10\/GU_Griffith-Asia-Institute_rgb_red_horizontal.png?fit=2930%2C308&ssl=1","width":2930,"height":308,"caption":"Griffith Asia Institute"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/testblogs.griffith.edu.au\/asiainsights\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/"},"sameAs":["https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/griffithasiainstitute\/","https:\/\/x.com\/GAIGriffith"]},{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/testblogs.griffith.edu.au\/asiainsights\/#\/schema\/person\/8121b8aa336749474cbaca380c03029a","name":"Griffith Asia Institute","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-AU","@id":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/f133de65681da3b20ddbc1917f066f458d355d7dfa1f214b10ff4bd135d5ab6c?s=96&d=mm&r=g","url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/f133de65681da3b20ddbc1917f066f458d355d7dfa1f214b10ff4bd135d5ab6c?s=96&d=mm&r=g","contentUrl":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/f133de65681da3b20ddbc1917f066f458d355d7dfa1f214b10ff4bd135d5ab6c?s=96&d=mm&r=g","caption":"Griffith Asia Institute"},"url":"https:\/\/testblogs.griffith.edu.au\/asiainsights\/author\/gaigriffith-edu-au\/"}]}},"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/testblogs.griffith.edu.au\/asiainsights\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2020\/08\/Pacific-young-entrepreneur-900x500-1.jpg","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":9973,"url":"https:\/\/testblogs.griffith.edu.au\/asiainsights\/finding-a-place-for-youth-leadership-in-australias-new-international-development-policy\/","url_meta":{"origin":7800,"position":0},"title":"Finding a place for youth leadership in Australia\u2019s new International Development Policy","author":"Griffith Asia Institute","date":"14 September 2023","format":false,"excerpt":"HELEN BERENTS\u00a0AND KATRINA LEE-KOO |\u00a0 Asia and the Pacific are the most youthful regions of the world, with 25 per cent of their populations aged between 15 and 29. Combined, the two regions are home to 60 per cent of the world\u2019s youth. Yet, in Australia\u2019s new International Development Policy,\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Region | Australia&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Region | Australia","link":"https:\/\/testblogs.griffith.edu.au\/asiainsights\/category\/australia\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"Asian youth in back of protest demonstration holding a poster We need a change. Student activist","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/testblogs.griffith.edu.au\/asiainsights\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2023\/09\/youth-protester.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/testblogs.griffith.edu.au\/asiainsights\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2023\/09\/youth-protester.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/testblogs.griffith.edu.au\/asiainsights\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2023\/09\/youth-protester.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/testblogs.griffith.edu.au\/asiainsights\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2023\/09\/youth-protester.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":10044,"url":"https:\/\/testblogs.griffith.edu.au\/asiainsights\/maritime-safety-for-lives-and-livelihoods-the-multiplier-effect-of-a-well-connected-pacific\/","url_meta":{"origin":7800,"position":1},"title":"Maritime safety for lives and livelihoods: The multiplier effect of a well-connected Pacific","author":"Griffith Asia Institute","date":"13 October 2023","format":false,"excerpt":"HEATHER WRATHALL | This article provides a comprehensive overview of the maritime safety needs of the Pacific region and its impact on various aspects of development, such as economic productivity, access to essential services, and achievement of Sustainable Development Goals. It effectively highlights the challenges faced by maritime services and\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Pillar 2: Livelihoods and culture&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Pillar 2: Livelihoods and culture","link":"https:\/\/testblogs.griffith.edu.au\/asiainsights\/category\/publication\/feature-series\/pacific-outlook-feature-series\/livelihoods-culture\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"Passengers departing inter-island ferry between the major Islands of Fiji, Viti Levu and Vanua Levu highlight the maritime safety needs of the Pacific.","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/testblogs.griffith.edu.au\/asiainsights\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2023\/10\/pacific-maritime-transport.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/testblogs.griffith.edu.au\/asiainsights\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2023\/10\/pacific-maritime-transport.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/testblogs.griffith.edu.au\/asiainsights\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2023\/10\/pacific-maritime-transport.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/testblogs.griffith.edu.au\/asiainsights\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2023\/10\/pacific-maritime-transport.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":7648,"url":"https:\/\/testblogs.griffith.edu.au\/asiainsights\/poverty-and-power-womens-entrepreneurship-in-the-asia-pacific-region\/","url_meta":{"origin":7800,"position":2},"title":"Poverty and power:  Women\u2019s entrepreneurship in the Asia-Pacific region","author":"Griffith Asia Institute","date":"22 July 2020","format":false,"excerpt":"The Asia-Pacific region is changing the world. It hums with an entrepreneurial energy and spirit of opportunity that permeates everywhere from local marketplaces to the sprawling headquarters of multinational corporations.","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Asia Pacific Women&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Asia Pacific Women","link":"https:\/\/testblogs.griffith.edu.au\/asiainsights\/category\/publication\/feature-series\/asia-pacific-women\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"Asia Pacific Region","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/testblogs.griffith.edu.au\/asiainsights\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2020\/07\/Elise-Stephenson-900-x-500.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/testblogs.griffith.edu.au\/asiainsights\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2020\/07\/Elise-Stephenson-900-x-500.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/testblogs.griffith.edu.au\/asiainsights\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2020\/07\/Elise-Stephenson-900-x-500.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/testblogs.griffith.edu.au\/asiainsights\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2020\/07\/Elise-Stephenson-900-x-500.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":10302,"url":"https:\/\/testblogs.griffith.edu.au\/asiainsights\/enhancing-the-ecosystem-for-entrepreneurship-and-innovation-in-the-pacific\/","url_meta":{"origin":7800,"position":3},"title":"Enhancing the ecosystem for entrepreneurship and innovation in the Pacific","author":"Griffith Asia Institute","date":"16 November 2023","format":false,"excerpt":"JEFF LIEW\u00a0 |\u00a0 Liliana is a young mother and small business owner in an island community. With a digitally connected and responsive business financing and support ecosystem, she can connect with suppliers, market her products to a global audience, access training and support, engage with role models, and manage her\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Commentary&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Commentary","link":"https:\/\/testblogs.griffith.edu.au\/asiainsights\/category\/publication\/commentary\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"Small business owners stalls at Pacific islands markets. MSME","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/testblogs.griffith.edu.au\/asiainsights\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2023\/11\/Pacific-MSME.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/testblogs.griffith.edu.au\/asiainsights\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2023\/11\/Pacific-MSME.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/testblogs.griffith.edu.au\/asiainsights\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2023\/11\/Pacific-MSME.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/testblogs.griffith.edu.au\/asiainsights\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2023\/11\/Pacific-MSME.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":10707,"url":"https:\/\/testblogs.griffith.edu.au\/asiainsights\/leaving-nothing-to-chance-sustaining-pacific-development-beyond-2024\/","url_meta":{"origin":7800,"position":4},"title":"Leaving nothing to chance: Sustaining Pacific development beyond 2024","author":"Griffith Asia Institute","date":"27 March 2024","format":false,"excerpt":"ANNA NAUPA AND TESS NEWTON CAIN Download PDF Introduction The value proposition of Pacific regionalism in an increasingly dynamic geopolitical environment must balance the agreed rhetoric of Blue Pacific stewardship that drives a regional ethos, with the realpolitik of governments looking at shorter-term timeframes potentially at the expense of these\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;GAPSO&quot;","block_context":{"text":"GAPSO","link":"https:\/\/testblogs.griffith.edu.au\/asiainsights\/category\/publication\/feature-series\/gapso\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"Leaving nothing to chance: Sustaining Pacific development beyond 2024","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/testblogs.griffith.edu.au\/asiainsights\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/03\/Pacific-blog-banner.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/testblogs.griffith.edu.au\/asiainsights\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/03\/Pacific-blog-banner.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/testblogs.griffith.edu.au\/asiainsights\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/03\/Pacific-blog-banner.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/testblogs.griffith.edu.au\/asiainsights\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/03\/Pacific-blog-banner.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":10279,"url":"https:\/\/testblogs.griffith.edu.au\/asiainsights\/cooperation-and-capabilities-pacific-led-regionalism-in-the-age-of-great-power-competition-part-2\/","url_meta":{"origin":7800,"position":5},"title":"Cooperation and capabilities: Pacific-led regionalism in the age of great power competition | Part 2","author":"Griffith Asia Institute","date":"14 November 2023","format":false,"excerpt":"SEAN JACOBS\u00a0 |\u00a0 While Pacific Island Countries (PICs) and Western nations rely on shared values as a basis for a strong relationship, Beijing relies on a different appeal\u2014an \u201cability to deliver,\u201d in Dame Meg Taylor\u2019s words. Indeed, across the Pacific, where \u2018bricks and mortar\u2019 outcomes face persistent setbacks, tangible deliverables\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Pillar 3: Geopolitics and diplomacy&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Pillar 3: Geopolitics and diplomacy","link":"https:\/\/testblogs.griffith.edu.au\/asiainsights\/category\/publication\/feature-series\/pacific-outlook-feature-series\/geopolitics-diplomacy\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"Participants of the Pacific Group of African, Caribbean Pacific (ACP) Leaders met as part of the 51st Pacific Islands Forum meeting in Suva, Fiji, July 2022","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/testblogs.griffith.edu.au\/asiainsights\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2023\/11\/PIF-9.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/testblogs.griffith.edu.au\/asiainsights\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2023\/11\/PIF-9.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/testblogs.griffith.edu.au\/asiainsights\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2023\/11\/PIF-9.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/testblogs.griffith.edu.au\/asiainsights\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2023\/11\/PIF-9.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x"},"classes":[]}],"jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"featured_image_thumbnail_url":"https:\/\/testblogs.griffith.edu.au\/asiainsights\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2020\/08\/Pacific-young-entrepreneur-900x500-1.jpg","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/testblogs.griffith.edu.au\/asiainsights\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7800","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/testblogs.griffith.edu.au\/asiainsights\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/testblogs.griffith.edu.au\/asiainsights\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/testblogs.griffith.edu.au\/asiainsights\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/14"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/testblogs.griffith.edu.au\/asiainsights\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=7800"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/testblogs.griffith.edu.au\/asiainsights\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7800\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/testblogs.griffith.edu.au\/asiainsights\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/7802"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/testblogs.griffith.edu.au\/asiainsights\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=7800"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/testblogs.griffith.edu.au\/asiainsights\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=7800"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/testblogs.griffith.edu.au\/asiainsights\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=7800"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}