Guest blog by Anna Ga’a, Denphil Hunt-Mitir, Nabieu Lansana, Solomon Mape, Julia Tubang
Doing the PDIA program was unexpected for our group; initially, we doubted we could tackle the process effectively. But, by welcoming PDIA’s open and collaborative approach, we embraced the challenge. Here’s an overview of our journey, including the lessons learned, the challenges met, and our commitment to continue our work with the youths in Tuna Bay.
Key Learnings
PDIA taught us that working together as a team and approaching problems with humility can lead to meaningful change. Here are a few key insights we gained:
1. Kindness unites: Kindness strengthens group bonds and builds a supportive environment.
2. Small steps lead to progress: Taking manageable actions lets us learn and adapt quickly, making adjusting where necessary for better outcomes easier.
3. Consistency drives improvement: Regular effort is essential to build on our progress.
4. Inclusive engagement matters: Reaching out to everyone involved in an issue opens new perspectives and enriches problem-solving.
5. Delegation builds accountability: Sharing responsibilities evenly supports accountability and strengthens teamwork.
These lessons helped us work effectively and reshape our perspectives on the value of teamwork and collaborative problem-solving.
Our Problem: Disengaged Youths in Tuna Bay
Over the past 12 weeks, we focused on the issue of disengaged youths in Tuna Bay, a community in Port Moresby South. Many young people in the area, ages 16–26, were unemployed and not in school, facing limited opportunities. Initially, we aimed to build a framework to help youths realize their potential. However, through PDIA, we refined this to focus on the “prevalence of disengaged youths in Tuna Bay.” This specific focus allowed us to take practical steps to address the issue.
Our first action was surveying the youth to understand their experiences and challenges. The responses weren’t as strong as hoped, as many were reluctant to engage. This highlighted a gap in trust and awareness, which we addressed by organizing a community meeting with a group of youths. This meeting revealed the depth of their struggles, from limited job prospects due to a lack of formal certifications to financial barriers keeping them from further education.
Future Actions and Making Progress
Equipped with a clearer understanding of their needs, we shifted our approach to reach more youths effectively. We hosted a one-day information session with the community, strengthening our relationships with the youths and their wider networks in Tuna Bay. This marked an important milestone in building trust and getting youths to see the value of engaging with us.
We also launched small support meetings led by Anna, one of our team members, where youths gathered weekly to discuss their struggles and share support. These gatherings became a safe space for open discussion, allowing the youths to release bottled-up thoughts and gain encouragement from each other. Though a modest step, it led to positive shifts in their daily routines and perspectives, with some even sharing their improvements.
Our team also started meetings with key authorizers, including representatives from Santos Community Division, the National Youth Development Authority (NYDA), and the Law-and-Order Committee. These connections proved invaluable, guiding us and building our initiative’s legitimacy. Our follow-up sessions introduced more youths to the DREAM program, helping them develop personal mission statements and goals.
Reflecting on PDIA and Looking Forward
PDIA showed us that complex issues require adaptive, practical solutions. This process involves breaking down problems, finding starting points, testing ideas, and continuously reflecting on progress. In doing so, we learned that community-based issues like ours don’t have one-size-fits-all solutions; instead, we must address the root causes directly and work closely with those affected.
As we move forward, we will follow the PDIA principles, mainly focusing on small, consistent actions. To sustain and expand our impact, we plan to set up a Youth Association to close the gap between the local government and the youth in Tuna Bay. We will also use the AAA analysis—evaluating our ability, authority, and acceptance—to guide our next steps.
Words of Wisdom for Fellow PDIA Practitioners
Through PDIA, we’ve learned that every problem has a solution, often requiring getting your hands dirty. The process isn’t always easy, but you can achieve remarkable things with the right people, strong connections, and commitment. Celebrate the small wins, stay consistent, and remember that even the smallest steps forward are steps toward the bigger picture.
This blog was written by participants who completed a 12-week PDIA for PNG online action learning program from August – November 2024. 31 participants successfully completed this program.