Government of the Federated States of Micronesia

Nena Asks Kosrae to Host Youth Leadership Conference

PALIKIR, Pohnpei (FSM Information Service): June 23, 1998 –
President Jacob Nena communicated to Kosrae Governor Moses Mackwelung in
May that there is a need for Kosrae State to host the 6th FSM
Annual Youth Leadership Conference in July of this year.

This year’s conference is scheduled for July 20 to the
25th which will focus on the topic, “Partnership in Youth
Development,” according to William Eperiam, the FSM Youth
Development Program Coordinator, Department of Health, Education
and Social Affairs.

Similar conference was scheduled for Kosrae last year, but
due to unexpected circumstances, it was not held. The State of
Yap hosted last conference held in 1990.

Nena advised Governor Mackwelung and State Director of Education
Henry Robert and Linley William in the Division of Community
Development to contact Eperiam for further information.

Linley is the chairman of the coordinating committee composed
of Kosrae State officials who are responsible for organizing
this year’s conference, Eperiam stated.

The responsibility over youth programs falls under various
departments or offices in different FSM and State Governments,
Eperiam said. In Yap State, youth activities fall under the preview
of the Department of Civic and Youth Affairs; in Chuuk, it falls
under the Department of Public Affairs; in Pohnpei, it falls
under the Department of Human Resources and in Kosrae it falls
under the Department of Education.

The importance of youth development can not be overemphasized,
statistically, Eperiam said, over half of the FSM’s population
is under 25 years of age. Thus, as the voting age in the state
and national elections is 18 years of age, youths can play a
significant role in shaping the political, economic and social
topography of the FSM.