Grooming ‘real’ leaders of tomorrow

By ANGEL A. DEMAPAN

Public Law 8-27 established the CNMI Youth Congress “to provide a system that allows the youth to prepare to meet the challenges of the future and to make recommendations to the policy makers on youth programs.”

Now in its 8th year of operation, I firmly believe that the institution of the Youth Congress continues to instill leadership qualities in our young men and women. I say this with pride, having been afforded the opportunity to sit in office in the Youth Congress’ inaugural body in 1998, then getting re-elected in 1999 and 2000 with the privilege of serving as Speaker of my peers in both terms. In those three years, rigorous debates on the floor and education pertinent to bill-drafting by some of the legislature’s greatest legislative assistants instilled newfound knowledge in me in areas such as ethics in public office, quality bill-writing skills, and budgetary management. Moreover, we began to learn that despite all its negative stereotypes, a public office is a public trust!

Most importantly, the Youth Congress finally gave the young members of our community the opportunity to speak their minds and let their voices be heard. P.L. 8-27 clearly states, “…the Youth Congress represents the youth of the Commonwealth, their desires and aspirations, and shall serve as training for the Commonwealth’s future leaders.”

Finally, the youth have the opportunity to cooperatively interact with their peers and air their needs without the normal intimidation one may experience when speaking to older adults. Today, our youth are proud to have a legislative body dedicated to addressing issues relative to the general welfare of the younger sector of the community. Moreover, our young men and women also enjoy the opportunity to go through this “training ground” aimed at producing excellent leaders that may one day effectuate positive change in our government. If you don’t believe me, just turn to our neighboring island of Guam, the Vice Speaker of the 28th Guam Legislature, the Honorable Joanne M.S. Brown, once served in the Guam Youth Congress.

Maybe, just maybe, if our present and past leaders were afforded this opportunity to develop into quality leaders at a very young age, the CNMI would have been spared from its present-day disparity. Don’t get me wrong; we have been privileged to have elected a few good men and women into public office. But just as there is a fall to every rise, we have also negligently elected many Ph.Ds (Politically Hired Dummies).

Many times, our youth’s ideas, concerns, and needs are overshadowed by our elected leaders’ personal agenda and special interests. Clearly stated, politics often gets in the way of the weak and innocent voices of our children. For example, while our children are yearning for updated textbooks in the classrooms, our leaders are busy playing ping-pong with the budget bill. While our children ask for youth centers to rise in their villages, our officials are too busy boosting their frequent flyer miles. While our youth go off to college on a “contractual” scholarship with the government, they return to learn that no jobs are here for them. While our children experience a shortage in school buses, our government continues to expend thousands of dollars in unnecessary consultancy contracts. Were it not for the existence of the Youth Congress, I guarantee you that our youth will only enter the political spotlight in each election year. Yes, this is the time, when the roaring speakers proclaim the importance of the children. This is the time that education skyrockets from being stashed in the storage room to becoming the main discussion on Capital Hill. Quite frankly, before the Youth Congress, election years were the only times we saw any hint of hope for the future. But between elections, our leaders sometimes even forget how to spell “youth.”

Over the years, the Youth Congress has had its share of critics. But this is the beauty of democracy—for what good is a democratic government if there are no questions asked? However, many of the Youth Congress’ critics criticize the institution because of a lack of education on its true purpose and intent. Hence, I am renewing the call I made to the media during my tenure to give fair coverage to the activities and operations of the Youth Congress. If proper exposure is given to the Youth Congress, maybe most of its critics will begin to see a clearer picture of its benefits and advantages. I salute the efforts of the late former Vice Speaker, Jesus P. Mafnas, for crafting the Youth Congress bill and former House Floor Leader Ana S. Teregeyo for making the necessary amendments to further clarify the functions and purpose of the bill.

I am not trying to swing any votes in this piece. All I am doing is giving a clear illustration of why I believe we must maintain the Youth Congress in our government. In the past seven installations of this august body, I’ve seen and worked alongside many young, vibrant aspiring leaders who give me confidence that the future of our islands will be placed in qualified and sincere hands. Imagine the day when our government will be led by my fellow former Speakers, Mr. Luis Castro, Mr. Alvin Fejeran, and Mr. BJ Nicholas. And wouldn’t it be great too if we elect the likes of former Sens. Frances Somorang, Ramona Concepcion, Joaquina Borja, Andrew Borja, Roselle Demapan, and Roman “Bo” Palacios, to name a few.

Only then will I be able to flip the light switch on my nightstand and shut my eyelids knowing that tomorrow will be a better day. Hence, I proclaim with all my being, “Keep the Youth Congress going! Biba Manhoben Marianas!

Angel Demapan served as PUTC Chairman in the 1st Youth Congress, Speaker of the 2nd and 3rd Youth Congress, and is currently an undergraduate student at the University of Hawaii in Honolulu, Hawaii.