Youth in the Pacific

A Wholehearted Monthly conversation with Olivia Baro, Ecumenical Animator for Youth Engagement and Empowerment Ministries, Pacific Conference of Churches.

Pacific greetings from Fiji. It’s always encouraging to know that some of you have visited this part of the world. I serve as the Ecumenical Youth Animator for the Pacific Conference of Churches (PCC), which brings together 35 member churches across 21 countries in the Pacific —including our newest members in New Zealand and Hawaii. We also work closely with 10 national councils of churches.

The Pacific Conference of Churches

My role focuses on youth programmes but we are also active around the issue of self-determination in the social and political context of the Pacific, gender justice, child protection, ecological stewardship, and climate justice. Our ecumenical programmes help us discern the priorities of Pacific churches and decide what we should speak out on.

My journey into this role wasn’t something I planned. I studied marine management at the University of the South Pacific, and , prior and today I still volunteered with Scripture Union Fiji. That experience opened the door to ministry. After graduation, I stepped back from work to care for my daughter. A colleague encouraged me to apply for this role, and five years later, I’m still here. It’s been a journey of testimony and challenge—especially through COVID-19 and the ongoing balancing act between family life and the pressing issues in our region. But I believe that if God puts you in it, He will bring you through it. That belief keeps me going.

Working across the Pacific is challenging—geographical distance, cost, and limited connectivity all play a part. While technology is advancing, it can’t replace the relationships built through face-to-face encounters and cultural immersion. That’s a strength we hold onto. Our work sits at the intersection of culture, faith, and spirituality, and we see how these intersect with the issues our communities face.

“Young people have a voice and valuable experience to share”

Young people in the Pacific face many challenges: a drug pandemic, the HIV/AIDS epidemic, rising sea levels, and increasingly severe cyclones. These are cross-cutting issues that also affect mental health, depression, and suicide, and they deepen systemic inequalities. In our cultures, young people are often given the role of implementing decisions made by elders, without being part of the decision-making process. We’re working to change that—encouraging elders to act as mentors and advisors, and to recognise that young people also have a voice and valuable experiences to share.

Locally, churches are stepping up. They’re addressing issues like HIV, which has long been taboo. This year, we learned that HIV transmission in Fiji is increasingly linked to drug use and needle sharing. Churches are responding—partnering with health services, police, and rehabilitation centres, and inviting speakers with lived experience. These efforts are making a real impact.

Building a bold generation of young leaders

In 2021, we established the Regional Ecumenical Youth Council. We knew we needed more than just another youth group—we needed a space built on faith. This council is the foundation for advocacy and campaigning on climate, nuclear issues, health, and inclusion.

Our advocacy spans local, regional, and international levels. Some Pacific nations are still under foreign control for example West Papua is still under Indonesia and French Polynesia (Maohi Nui) and New Caledonia (Kanaky) under France. We work to support these communities and ensure they’re not forgotten.

More than this, our advocacy is about being prophetic and accompanying affected communities and individuals. We want young people to know who they are—not just as Pacific islanders or indigenous people, but as people in Christ. We help them build their identity and solidarity.

We are building a bold generation of young leaders who can participate meaningfully in their communities. We have done this through the Pacific Australian Emerging Leaders Network. The two videos below share some reflections from participants over the past two years.

Participants are usually endorsed by church leaders through the Regional Ecumenical Youth Council. We aim for peer-to-peer learning, with returning participants mentoring new ones. If we identify a young person who’s engaged, we reach out to their church to support them through the formation process. We help them discern where they want to engage—whether at the UN, nationally, or in their local communities.

Political engagement is difficult in small communities. People know each other, and it’s hard to speak freely. But we bring together different cohorts—Pacific youth, diaspora, First Nations—to build confidence and encourage honest dialogue. Many have lost trust in political systems, which have been oppressive. We help young people understand their civil rights and duties, and how to hold governments accountable.

Silence that speak volumes

One powerful moment was seeing young people stand before church leaders and share their vision for youth programmes. The leaders listened silently—no interruptions, no questions. That silence spoke volumes. It meant agreement. I’ve also seen young people speak at the UN and other international platforms. That’s God at work.

A call to prayer

Please pray for us—for Pacific youth and communities, for the work of PCC, and for God’s intervention in the challenges we face. Working in the church and representing our communities can be difficult. We’re sometimes targeted for speaking out. But we know everyone has a role to play. I ask for your prayers for the young people and for all that I’ve shared.