By Moneth G. Deposa
Variety News Staff

YOUNG people from various schools and districts will discuss the possible federalization of the local minimum wage and immigration system during a two-day summit that starts on Feb. 22 in Charley’s Cabaret at the Pacific Islands Club.
Organized by the CNMI Youth Congress, the summit is expected to draw 150 participants from Saipan, Tinian and Rota, according to Glenna S.P. Reyes.
She said guest speakers and presenters will include the governor’s special legal counsel Howard Willens, Saipan Chamber of Commerce president Juan T. Guerrero, former Chief Justice Jose Dela Cruz, Marianas Visitors Authority vice chairwoman Marian Aldan Pierce, and former Speaker Heinz S. Hofschneider.
Reyes said the summit will be “an important component of their learning process as elected youth representatives,” referring to the youth senators.
“This will provide a forum for our youth senators to interact with their peers and discuss essential matters pertaining to the youth of the commonwealth,” she said.
According to Youth Congress secretary Roslyn Leon Guerrero and event coordinator BJ Attao, the youth senators have prepared a list of issues for the summit.
“This year’s youth summit will be different from those in past years,” Leon Guerrero said. “There will be presenters and speakers to educate our youth, and we expect the youth to absorb the information given to them and find solutions and remedies to the problems themselves. Also, they will conduct their own panel discussions with members of the community regarding immigration and the minimum wage.”
Attao said the youth senators “are making an effort to provide solutions for tomorrow.”
He said under the leadership of Youth Congress Speaker Mathew O. Deleon Guerrero, the youth senators will provide adequate information to their peers and the public about the issues facing the CNMI.
Also to be discussed during the two-day event are teen pregnancy, substance abuse, and healthy eating habits.