Micronesian Youth Services Network’s CNMI event steering committee chairwoman Frances Sablan, said they are expecting 200 participants, including 50 presenters.
Sablan said MYSN president Sarah Thomas-Nededog will be one of the keynote speakers.
Other issues faced by the youth will be the focus of this year’s conference whose theme is, “Strengthen Micronesian Community — One Youth at a Time.”
Participants from Guam, Palau, the Marshall Islands and the Federated States of Micronesia are expected to attend the conference.
In his message, Gov. Benigno R. Fitial commended MYSN for its commitment in addressing the concerns of the youth, saying that the CNMI government supports the group’s mission, values, goals, and objectives.
“We extend our support to the Micronesian Youth Services Network, a group committed to supporting the youth population throughout our region by providing a variety of culturally appropriate youth services and programs,” the governor said.
On Friday, Fitial signed the proclamation designating March 29 to April 4 as Micronesian Youth Services Network Week.
In his proclamation, the governor said the CNMI “must focus [its] efforts on supporting our youth and families.
He noted that in the last fiscal year, the Child Protective Services Unit received 436 referrals.
Fourteen children and youths were placed in foster care while over 84 children and youths received emergency shelter assistance, Fitial said.
Micronesia, he added, is at the “crossroads of tremendous social change” that requires the community and civic leaders, youth advocates and service provides and all sectors to engage in activities that will strengthen youth programs.
He encourages the youth service providers to enhance policies and encourage positive youth development and family unity.
“The commonwealth embraces the concept of regional collaboration so that, together, we can share ideas and seek solutions to better our communities,” he said.
