Pacific Cooperation Foundation (PCF) has proudly held its inaugural Youth Leadership Awards to encourage and reward service leadership to benefit communities in Aotearoa New Zealand, as well as the Pacific region.
The 2020 award winners were announced at Parliament on December 9, at a reception hosted by Minister for Pacific Peoples and Associate Minister of Foreign Affairs Hon Aupito William Sio.
Lead/Management Consultant at PCF, Afamasaga Jackie Curry says Pacific people are a growing, youthful and diverse population both in New Zealand and in the Pacific region.
“These awards acknowledge and encourage the contribution and achievements of our young Pacific emerging leaders as well as their families who support them,” Afamasaga says.
“Exemplary youth leaders have demonstrated excellence in their fields, will in turn use their leadership abilities and skills to help give back to their communities and assist in tackling the many complex issues and challenges being faced in the Pacific region, especially in light of the effects of COVID on regional economies.”
Winners were announced for 10 official award categories in total, with five awards specially set aside for Pacific students from the Pacific region studying in New Zealand - the special point of difference about PCF’s Pacific Youth Leadership Awards.
“The awards bring greater awareness and appreciation by the people and communities of the Pacific Islands and New Zealand, of their shared Pacific identify, history and culture, as well as a shared destiny,” Afamasaga adds.
Showing its support for the inaugural event and for these incredible young leaders, the Ministry for Pacific Peoples sponsored the PCF Top Pasifika Cultural and Language Advocate Award.
This award was presented to Writer, Motivational Speaker, Model, and Publisher Leulua’iali’i Satuala Tofaeono Tanuvasa.
Leulua’iali’i (pictured left) is a Student Ambassador for the University of Auckland, Managing Director for Fuelavelave Press, and Cultural Advisor for Sau E Siva Productions. He also teaches at Pacific Education Centre.
The Samoan proverb, “O le ala i le pule, o le tautua – the pathway to leadership begins with service” is his life mantra, and he believes service to others is the essence of greatness and the highest of distinctions.
Leulua’iali’i publishes the largest collection of Samoan educational resources following the legacy of his father the late Tofaeono Tanuvasa Tavale; and is dedicated to preserving the Samoan culture and working with youth and mental health.
He believes inspiring young people to understand their cultural identity improves their sense of self and relating to others.
The Ministry for Pacific Peoples congratulates Leulua’iali’I and all the 2020 PCF Youth Leadership Award recipients.
Inaugural PCF Youth Leadership Awards recipients are:
The PCF also awarded two special awards: