October declared Youth Empowerment Month

Recognizing the CNMI’s young leaders and agencies that support them and to encourage hundreds more in the community, Gov. Arnold I Palacios and Lt. Gov. David M. Apatang joined the Office of Youth Affairs to declare October as Youth Empowerment Month during a proclamation signing ceremony last Thursday at the Pedro P. Tenorio Multi-Purpose Center in Susupe.

The proclamation not only recognized the youth in the community but also encouraged and advocated for community support for these rising leaders.

“Youth empowerment is one of the serious solutions to preserving our future and to acknowledge the value and positive endeavors of CNMI youth…the future and dreams of the Commonwealth lies in the hopes dreams and aspirations of CNMI youth,” the proclamation read.

Youth were also encouraged to address situations and take action in order to improve their access to resources.

In his remarks, Palacios recognized the Office of Youth Affairs and the other government agencies and the private sector that support young individuals through programs and opportunities.

“I hope that in our community we continue to look at the next generation of leaders and community leaders who will continue and improve the lives and the quality of life in our community. I encourage each and every one of you to participate in any program whatsoever that brings together our youth,” he said.

Office of Youth Affairs special assistant Delbert T. Pua shared in his remarks that, “In order to empower our youth. we first must understand what they need and how they can be empowered. You are so often seen as a problematic demographic and perceived as being unruly and not having the right skills to succeed in the workforce. However, there’s a lot of potential that can be unlocked if we invest in this demographic.”

He added that as a community the CNMI needs to invest in the next generation of leaders and summarized the definition of youth empowerment as “taking control, becoming responsible, and becoming active.”

“Change starts with young people pushing our government and our system to do its job effectively,” said Pua.

Vinnie Sablan, speaker for the 19th Youth Congress; Peaches Bayot, vice speaker; and senators Ayden Yumul and Maili Peter were in attendance at the event and shared their thoughts on youth empowerment.

“We would like to commend Youth Affairs for organizing this event and all of the organizations and agencies that came and showed up in support for our youth. It’s really important to recognize our youth in the CNMI because it’s all about creating positive platforms to empower us all and it’s all about social engagement and really providing more opportunities for our youth to be active citizens in our community in the CNMI,” said Sablan

Peters said “I think it’s very important and it’s very comforting knowing that we have a bunch of support systems all around us, different offices private sectors really supporting and encouraging the idea of programs being built for our youth.”

Sablan added, “We may be young, we may be kids, we may be teenagers, but our youth in the CNMI need to recognize that we have a voice and we can make very positive impact in our community. It’s just a matter of mindset and a matter of everyone’s environment as well.”