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FSM Youth Summit in 2009 will Turn Policies into Action

Palikir, Pohnpei (FSM Information Services): June 19, 2009 - June 19, 2009

Mr. Osais Santos, the National Youth Activity Coordinator in the FSM Department of Health and Social Affairs is preparing for the 2009 Youth Summit that will be held from June 23-26, 2009 in Weno, Chuuk. In preparation for the summit, the National Youth Policy is undergoing a review process which was started last year during the 2008 FSM Youth Summit hosted in Pohnpei. This review is critical in transitioning the Youth Policy into action plans.

At the 2008 Youth Summit, Ms. Rose Maebiru, Youth Adviser of the Secretariat of the Pacific Community (SPC), conducted the review. Mr. Santos assisted her along with the youth stakeholders and the youth representatives to the Youth Summit. The review is an on-going process before the deadline of 2010. This review will continue in the upcoming 2009 FSM Youth Summit, but this time it will focus on its implementation successes. A mapping format of youth activities was designed by SPC and was adopted during in 2005 FSM Youth Summit. This format, which is currently being utilized, will continue to be scrutinized during this upcoming review. As part of the agreement in the Joint Country Strategy between FSM and SPC, Ms. Aliti Vunisea, SPC Human Development Adviser and now in charge of the SPC North Pacific Office will continue with the Review.

The FSM Implementation Plan for Youth Activities is based on the FSM Strategic Development Plan 2004-2023 (Strategic Goals 6 & 7) and charges the Secretary of the Department of Health and Social Affairs, and in particular, responsibility lies with the National Youth Office, in making sure that the activities in the Strategic Goals of the SDP are being carried out as indicated in the FSM National Youth Policy. These activities are laid out by Strategic Goal 6: "Strengthen the Institutional Capacity, Effectiveness and Impact of Youth Organizations in the Planning, Delivery, Promotion, Monitoring and Evaluation of Youth Programs and the National Youth Policy, and Strategic Goal 7: "Strengthen Youth Development through Social, Economic and Political Participation". A copy of the implementation Plan was adopted by the FSM Youth Council during the 2005 Youth Summit. This action plan will also be revisited during this 2009 Youth Summit.

For more information on the upcoming Youth Summit, please contact Mr. Osaia Santos at osantos@fsmhealth.fm or at the Department of Health and Social Affairs at (691) 320-2619.