President Mori Addresses Micronesian Youth at 6th Annual MYSN Conference in Pohnpei

Government of the Federated States of Micronesia

President Mori Addresses Micronesian Youth at 6^th Annual MYSN Conference in Pohnpei

Palikir, Pohnpei (FSM Information Services): April 22, 2010 - The Sixth Annual Micronesian Youth Service Network (MYSN) Conference began on Wednesday, April 14^th, 2010 at the COM-FSM national campus gymnasium and President Manny Mori gave the keynote address. This conference brought together youth from all four FSM states, the Republic of Palau, the Republic of the Marshall Islands, Guam and CNMI for a two day meeting with the theme of "Weaving Cultures into Youth Services in the Micronesian Region".

In his keynote address, the President spoke to the different parts of the theme. He said the first element of the theme for this conference underscores the importance of culture and that in the Micronesian context, culture and traditions enrich us, sustain us, and make us strong. The President told the audience that culture has a role in weaving all of our values together, and where we have commonalities in our cultures, we find strength. Where we have differences, we find enrichment.

The President stated that there is no other event in our region that is as significant and important as this conference, since all of the youth present represent the next generation of hope; the future of Micronesia.

President Mori told the youth that they have a role to play in the development and aspirations of these islands and he challenged them, as young men and women of Micronesia, to rise to the occasion and assume their role, and continue the prospect of a unified Micronesia.

The Opening Ceremony of the conference also saw remarks from the Lt. Governor of Pohnpei, Hon. Churchill Edward, the President of the MYSN, Ms. Sarah Thomas-Nededog, and the Hon. Iso Nahnken of Nett.

The two day conference was filled with panel sessions, youth presentations, workshops on topics such as "At the Crossroads of Culture and Modernization" by Dr. Rufino Mauricio and "Student Leadership: Weaving Leadership towards Individual, Community Success" by Dr. Julie Ulloa-Heath.

Pohnpei State, in conjunction with the FSM Department of Health and Social Affairs, Youth Affairs, hosted the event. This is the first time the event was held in the FSM.