THE members of the CNMI Young Pacific Leaders are organizing a training academy and are inviting eligible island residents to take part in leadership training opportunities beginning as early as mid-September on Saipan, Tinian, and Rota.
Eloise Lopez, the group’s secretary, said the CNMI-YPL aims to develop leadership skills among Chamorro, Carolinian, and Micronesian high school seniors, college students, and young professionals in the CNMI.
The CNMI-YPL was established by local residents who are part of the Young Pacific Leaders program, which was founded by the U.S. Department of State in 2013. The broader YPL network comprises members from across Australia, Micronesia, Melanesia, and Polynesia.
Both the CNMI-YPL and the Young Pacific Leaders program emphasize the same four focus areas: civic leadership, education, environmental and resource management, and economic and social development.
To that end, the upcoming CNMI-YPL Training Academy will help residents learn how to implement meaningful local projects across the CNMI, connect with peers, prepare to apply for Young Pacific Leaders conferences and workshops across the Pacific, and strengthen their ability to create positive change, Lopez said.
“We also aim to create a space for youth in our communities to step forward and make a difference, recognizing that reaching out and taking the first step can feel intimidating,” Lopez added. “This academy helps tear down that fear, encouraging more hands and hearts to join us. Together, we can build impactful projects that not only transform our islands but also contribute to positive change in our world, cultivating a generation of leaders ready to guide our communities toward a brighter future.”
On Rota, the workshops will be held Sept. 12–15; on Tinian, Sept. 26–29. The Saipan training will take place over two weekends in October, with exact dates to be announced.
In addition, four Saturday online training sessions are scheduled for November.
Lopez said the program is seeking participants who want to “lead with empathy,” “build confidence,” and “contribute meaningfully to their communities.”
“[The YPL] deepened my commitment to give back, whether through teaching, mentoring, or creating projects that reflect our culture and values,” she said. “For those who join the Training Academy, they can expect to grow in the same way. It’s not just about building individual skills but about shaping leaders who carry forward the responsibility of culture, resilience, and hope for the next generation.”
Applications are available at: https://tinyurl.com/YPL-Training
To be eligible, applicants must be 18 years or older and of Chamorro, Carolinian, Chuukese, Palauan, Pohnpeian, Marshallese, Yapese, or Kosraean descent.
Applicants must also be working or volunteering in one of the four YPL pillars — civic leadership, education, environment and resource management, or economic and social development — be willing to attend required in-person and online trainings, be committed to mentoring the next generation of Young Pacific Leaders, and plan to remain in the CNMI for the foreseeable future.
