UNICEF completes 3-day workshop in Makira-Ulawa to strengthen Ward Committees’ planning and governance capacity.
The United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund, UNICEF has successfully completed a three-day workshop aimed at strengthening the capacity of Ward Development Committees (WDCs) across Makira-Ulawa Province. The training, held from Wednesday, July 9 to Friday, July 11 in Kirakira, brought together representatives from 20 wards, including 40 WDC members, along with provincial heads of divisions and key stakeholders.
The workshop focused on building the knowledge and skills of WDCs and ward support officers to ensure effective community planning and service delivery at the ward level. Topics covered included governance, community engagement, development planning, and resource mobilization.
Closing the workshop, Makira-Ulawa Provincial Permanent Secretary Mr. Peter Trena extended heartfelt appreciation to UNICEF for organizing what he described as a “very important and timely” workshop. He emphasized the need for continued capacity building among WDCs, noting that these grassroots institutions are vital to driving development initiatives in rural communities.
“This training has strengthened the ability of our Ward Development Committees and their support officers to better understand their roles and responsibilities in community development,” Mr. Trena said. “We are grateful to UNICEF for this initiative, and we look forward to more partnerships in the future.”
Participants also expressed gratitude to UNICEF, stating that the training had equipped them with practical tools to improve their development planning processes and enhance service delivery within their respective wards.
The workshop is part of UNICEF’s ongoing support to local governance and community development in Solomon Islands, aimed at empowering local institutions to better serve their people.
SOURCE: BY LIONEL TAORAO IN MAKIRA PROVINCE
