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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 25^th 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.