BY CHRIS ALEX
A group of young Pacific Island leaders, including alumni of the We Are Young Pacific Leaders (YPL) programme, made a significant impact in the heart of US policymaking last week as they visited the US Capitol and the State Department.
The delegation met with influential US lawmakers and senior diplomats to share the unique perspectives and urgent concerns of Pacific communities on global issues.
Among the high-level engagements, the group held discussions with members of the US Congress and met with the Under Secretary of State for Public Diplomacy and Public Affairs, one of the most senior public diplomacy officials in the US government.
These meetings served as a platform for the Pacific youth to elevate issues that are vital to their region, including climate change, environmental protection, cultural heritage preservation, and regional security.
Millicent Barty, a youth leader from the Solomon Islands and a vocal advocate for Pacific voices, described the visit as “an inspiring opportunity to exchange ideas and advocate for the Pacific region”.
The Young Pacific Leaders initiative, supported by the US Department of State, is designed to foster regional collaboration and leadership development among young professionals across the Pacific.
Many of the visiting delegates are alumni of this initiative, which has built a growing network of changemakers from nations including Fiji, Samoa, Papua New Guinea, the Solomon Islands, Palau, and others.
The meetings in Washington highlighted the need for inclusive global governance and the importance of elevating underrepresented voices particularly those from small island nations who are most vulnerable to the consequences of climate change and geopolitical instability.
Photo: Millicent Barty
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