2025 S!NERGY  #IAYSP Oceania 

On January 29, 2025, IAYSP-Oceania hosted the third S!NERGY x Oceania competition via Zoom; attended by 17 executives, youth, and partners from Oceania, Asia Pacific, and Africa. The competition featured two contestants from Samoa and the Solomon Islands, with a judge joining from Fiji.

S!NERGY, meaning “Students x Ideas x Energy,” is an IAYSP initiative that provides a platform for youth to present UN SDG-focused projects.

There were the following presentations delivered by representatives from Samoa and the Solomon Islands:

Rex Uilao (Samoa) – “Regrow with Nature:” A land rehabilitation and biodiversity conservation project. Leading up to the competition, he began piloting the project on his family plantation and even featured it on TV 5 Samoa.

Pyung Guk Bokabule (Solomon Islands) – “Jiru Conservancy Project:” With the slogan, “To conserve and preserve,” it is a project that aims to support the establishment of marine reserves and environmental awareness through government and NGO collaboration.

There was also a presentation by Ms. Vaetoeifaga Apelu—the reigning S!NERGY x International champion—on her mental well-being project, which was implemented with the National University of Samoa Students Association.

Following the competition, Mr. Shashi—a founding mentor YSP Peace Designer Mentorship Program—shared his encouragement and recognition of the youth’s leadership and dedication. He commended their heart of service and urged them to continue developing their initiatives for the betterment of their communities.

The event concluded with celebration of the youth’s leadership, project design, and presentation skills, encouraging them to continue developing their initiatives.