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Press Release
“I believe in you” President Panuelo Tells Youth at the 2019 Youth Conference
PALIKIR, Pohnpei—On November 19th, 2019 His Excellency David W. Panuelo, President of the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM), addressed the attendees of the 2019 Youth Conference, whose theme was “Youth Action for Climate Change & Sustainable Development.” The week-long conference will cover topics ranging from the Pacific Youth Development Framework and progress on the Youth Policy’s implementation across the FSM, to the State of the Youth in areas such as Health, Education, and Economic Development. The President’s remarks, however, largely focused on Youth empowerment as the key towards taking action.
“If there’s only thing you take away from my address this morning,” President Panuelo began, “I want it to be this: I believe in you. The FSM National Government believes in you. I am sure, and hopeful, that you have family that believe in you, too. But what is most important is that you also believe in yourself.”
The President described how part of believing in oneself—including believing in one’s capacity to take action against climate change and to promote sustainable development—is to ask “What does success look like?” at each stage of one’s life, for tasks both big and small, and for Youth to give it all they have towards reaching that success. In addition to recognizing what success looks like, the President explained, it’s equally important that Youth themselves define what it means for them.
“You are in control of who you are, and who you will become,” the President said. “Your body belongs to you—it doesn’t belong to anybody else. Your dreams belong to you—they don’t belong to anybody else. Your life is your life—it doesn’t belong to anybody else, either.”
The President then segued into describing how—while it’s important, even necessary—for Youth to believe in themselves, that it’s not always enough. “I became a Foreign Service Officer and thus began my career as a public servant in the 1980s because [the late and Honorable] Andon Amaraich believed in me,” President Panuelo said. “I’ve told our Youth that if there’s one thing you learn from me today, it’s that you must believe in yourself. But to our Adults—if there’s one thing I want you to take away from me this morning, it’s this: believe in our Youth. Give them a chance. Show them you care, [like Andon Amaraich had confidence in me].”
President Panuelo relayed the view that tackling an existential threat such as Climate Change requires the whole of society, including the Youth, to play an active and participatory role in democracy and to take action in bettering the lives of themselves and those around them. The President referred to numerous topics wherein public opinion can vary highly between agreement and disagreement, with corresponding levels of passion—such as sea cucumber harvesting in Pohnpei State (and whether it should occur or not), and a proposed Nation-wide ban on most forms of plastic (and whether it should, and how it could, occur or not)—and asked the Nation’s Youth to form their own opinions on issues that affect them and their future.
“The best law is your conscience,” the President said. “I want you to listen to it, and take action and be part of our Nation-building process in whatever passion you have.”
The President’s remarks ended on a high note, requesting that Youth and Adults alike believe in themselves and each other as the FSM takes Youth Action for Climate Change and Sustainable Development for our Nation’s prosperity tomorrow.
