 FSM Close-Up 2009 Students Fine-tune Their Leadership KnowledgePalikir, Pohnpei (FSM Information Services): May 21, 2009 - Thirty-nine (39) students and five (5) Chaperons from the four FSM states representing the FSM Close-Up Program visited president Manny Mori and vice president Alik L. Alik on May 11, 2009. That visit was part of their nine-day schedule of events the FSM 2009 Close-Up Program has pursuant to this year's theme: "Getting Closer to How Officials Make Decisions about Important Issues". From Pohnpei were twelve students and one Chaperon. Eight students and two Chaperons came from Yap, eight more students and one Chaperon came from Chuuk and eleven students and one Chaperon came from Kosrae. Every year the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM) Congress provides funding for the Close-Up Program as requested by the FSM President for the purpose of bringing students from the four states to the Capital of the nation to get acquainted with the workings of this government in terms of how decisions are made on issues that affects their lives. Among other activities, the 2009 Close-Up students were fortunate to observe the opening of the 16th Congress and pay a courtesy call on the FSM Congress Speaker Honorable Isaac V. Figir on may 11, 2009. Other tours include the FSM National Government Complex, more specifically, the Judiciary compound, the Congress Chamber, the Executive Branch, the COM-FSM Complex and the Sokehs Kingdom Hall. At Sokehs the students did their cultural presentations and presented a traditional feast (the Pohnpei way) to the Nahnmwariki of Sokehs. The students were also privileged to meet the Nahnmwariki of Madolenihmw and toured the Nan Madol ruins. Other activities includes debate on the topic: "Be it resolved, that state which contribute more on Sin Tax should be scholarship priority recipient", and writing on various topics. For more information on the Close-Up 2009 Program, please visit www.fsmed.fm or call FSM Education at 320-2609. |