From L-R: Young Pacific Leaders Wilson Hazelman, Jacinta Jonathan and Emma Oliver at the Tiaki Moana Summit, in Tahiti.
Jacinta Jonathan becomes emotional as she reflects on the Tiaki Moana Summit and Workshop in Pōrīnetia Farāni she attended along with 43 other Young Pacific Leaders.
The 31-year-old from Alotau, Milne Bay in Papua New Guinea, was nominated to take part in Tiaki Moana in late March.
She joined leaders from 22 Pacific nations, to address shared challenges and solutions around ocean health and prosperity.
In Milne Bay, Jacinta is a Team Lead and Operations Manager for the not-for-profit, Sea Women of Melanesia (SWoM), whose mission is to empower Melanesian women with the skills and resources to lead and support ocean health from a community-level.
As a leader in her community, Jacinta says the YPL initiative has provided a platform for her to connect with and share her work with fellow Pacific leaders.
“It provided an opportunity to discuss the challenges I face in my province and through these exchanges, I learned so much from the other leaders, and their stories and resilience deeply inspired me,” Jacinta says.
“To sit at the same table with the other YPL was a highlight for me, and it has left a positive impact on me, motivating me as I move forward with the work I still need to do.”
She adds Tiaki Moana has reignited her desire and purpose to leave a positive footprint of hope for the next generation.
“Coming from a patrilineal society, I am not traditionally a leader in the clan I come from.
“My parents were the first generation to receive formal education, and they made great sacrifices, both culturally and financially, to ensure I had the education I needed to pursue my dream of one day saving the ocean.
“When I joined SWoM as a volunteer and later became a member and leader, I was required to step outside the traditional perspective of leadership in my community.”
Today, education allows women to take on active leadership roles and break traditional barriers, and Jacinta says she sees it as a personal challenge to find the strength to empower other women to take on active roles in promoting ocean health.
On her return to PNG, Jacinta is training more women in her province to build their capacity, so they can assist in setting up Locally Managed Marine Areas (LMMAs).
“After experiencing YPL, I am planning to pursue an opportunity to secure a small grant to establish a clean water supply for Fergusson Island, the island I come from,” Jacinta adds.
“This initiative could help alleviate ongoing issues with access to clean water for many communities and hamlets on the island.”
Things feel different now for Jacinta.
“I feel privileged to have been given a voice on such a platform as YPL, and I will gradually overcome my fears.
“The work I do is much bigger than me, and my role is just a small part of the ongoing efforts in species, environmental, and ocean health, as well as the work that still lies ahead.”
It is anticipated selected YPL participants will travel to UNOC3 in France, to present preliminary outcomes from Tiaki Moana.
Visit the Tiaki Moana website for more information and the Young Pacific Leaders website for more details on the US Department of State initiative.
