LESS corruption. More transparency. Development that reaches rural villages, not just urban centers. These are the demands of young Solomon Islanders in a governance survey, and unless political leaders start listening, the next election may be their last benefit of the doubt.
The survey, collected responses from youth across provinces, including Malaita, Isabel, Guadalcanal, Western Province, and Honiara. The majority of respondents were young (59 per cent aged 18–25) and students (60.5 per cent). It was a clear insight into how the next generation of voters and potential future leaders in the Solomons, view things.
Distrust in Public Financial Management
Young Solomon Islanders demonstrated a clear lack of confidence in how the government handles the public purse. When asked whether public money is managed ethically, only seven per cent agreed. A resounding 54 per cent disagreed or strongly disagreed, while 31 per cent took a neutral stand.
This scepticism extends to the judiciary and political leadership. A majority of respondents believe political influence affects judicial decisions, and confidence in the courts remains low, with many saying they are “very unconfident” or “don’t know” whether judges are truly independent.
Human Rights: Not Yet Realized?
When asked, “Do you believe human rights are protected in our country?”, only 41 per cent said yes. Nearly 30 per cent said no, and 21 per cent were unsure.
They identified culture and tradition as the single biggest challenge to human rights, followed by lack of education, weak law enforcement, and gender discrimination. Many called for more awareness campaigns, stronger legal protections, and better enforcement of existing laws.
One respondent summed it up: “People need to understand and know clearly about their rights.”
Development Benefits Unequally Shared
Asked whether the benefits of development have reached all parts of society, a majority disagreed. Many noted that development is concentrated in urban areas, often leaving rural and remote communities behind.
Comments included:
- “Development mainly occurs in urban areas.”
- “Significant disparities exist between provinces.”
- “Most infrastructure is based in central areas.”
Only a small minority believed development was fairly distributed.
Political Leadership: Mixed Ratings, High Cynicism
Ratings of Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele were mixed: 21 per cent rated him Good or Very good, 17 per cent rated him Bad or Very bad, and 28 per cent were neutral. Perhaps tellingly, a large number (19 per cent) did not answer.
When asked whether political leadership makes them feel that leaders are looking after the public good, quite a few responded with comments like:
- “Our leaders are only looking after themselves”
- “Our leaders are only looking after the rich”
Many respondents identified politicians, wealthy elites, and those in power as the people who truly have a say in the country.
Voting Intentions Remain Strong
Despite widespread dissatisfaction, 64 per cent of respondents said they planned to vote in the next national election. Common reasons included:
- “It is my right as a citizen.”
- “My vote counts.”
- “I want to vote for change.”
Those who said they would not vote gave reasons such as corruption, lack of trust, and the belief that politicians are all the same.
Calls for Action
A theme that consistently ran through the survey was Solomon Island youth repeatedly calling for:
- Transparency and accountability from leaders
- Better education on rights and democracy
- Equal distribution of development to rural areas
- Stronger law enforcement and independent judiciary
- More awareness of human rights at the grassroots level
For a country with a rich cultural heritage and a lot of natural resources, the survey results from these young people suggest a youth that are keenly aware of their rights, frustrated by corruption and inequality, yet still hopeful enough to vote. The challenge for the political leadership is to rebuild public trust, decentralize development, and ensure that human rights are not just theoretically there, but implemented in practice.
