The group does not intend to change too much, but will bring everyone back to the table to see how members can continue to work together.
The meeting will start with a short synopsis of the group’s different programs over the last three years.
For more information, e-mail .
HONOLULU (EPA) — The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Pacific Islands Office, together with the governments of the CNMI, Guam, and American Samoa are hosting a four-day conference, June 22-25, at the Saipan World Resort in Susupe.
This year’s conference, themed “Climate of Change: Energizing a Sustainable Future for Pacific Islands,” will be attended by environmental officials and representatives from the U.S., the CNMI, Guam, American Samoa, Palau, the Federated States of Micronesia, the Marshall Islands, and other countries in the Pacific.
“The conference will bring together leaders in government, the community and industry from around the Pacific to examine environmental challenges and issues facing the Pacific Islands, such as climate change and implementing alternative energy strategies,” said John McCarroll, manager of the EPA Pacific Southwest Region’s Pacific Islands Office. “The sessions will discuss efforts toward making a difference in protecting the island environments and will provide island leaders with the latest ideas and tools on preserving fragile ecosystems.”
The agenda will focus on a wide range of topics, including:
• CNMI Energy Summit and alternative energy options for the islands;
• Adapting to climate change impacts;
• Increasing sustainable and green infrastructure efforts;
• Tips for increasing community and non-governmental activities to protect the environment;
• Success stories on improving the environment in the Pacific;
• Water and wastewater infrastructure issues;
• The latest efforts to address solid waste and recycling in the Pacific; and
• Protecting coral reefs.
The conference will include a CNMI Energy Summit, co-sponsored by the CNMI Energy Division, and other pre-conference workshops on June 22; the main conference program and working sessions for the EPA, territorial environmental, utility, and public works agencies runs from June 23 to 25.
For questions regarding the 26th Pacific Islands Environment Conference, contact Nuria Muñiz at 415-972-3811, [email protected]; or Michael Mann at 415-972-3505 [email protected].
For information on exhibit and sponsorship opportunities, contact Fran Castro at 670-664-8500, or [email protected]
For additional information and registration: www.regonline.com/PIEC2009
Yap legislative panel discusses education measures
COLONIA, Yap (Yap State Government) — The Yap Legislative Committee on Resources, Education and Development held public hearings on three measures on Thursday in the legislative chamber.
Sen. Ted Rutun, the committee chairman, thanked all those people involved for taking the time off from their busy schedule so they can attend this very important meeting.
Resolution 7-1 was first on the agenda.
The resolution requests the Department of Education to review its school curriculum for the primary and secondary schools and to include the teaching of the local vernaculars of Yap in all primary and secondary schools.
The department said the vernaculars are already being taught in all the primary schools since the new baseline curriculum was in place in 2000.
Local vernaculars are being taught orally from grades one to grade five, during which students are given instructions to write in English and the local vernaculars.
Many concerns were raised during the discussions on Resolution 7-3, which is requesting the Department of Education to establish a registry of all Yapese students attending colleges, universities and vocational institutions.
Proponents felt that it would be beneficial for the state to keep an account on the number of students studying abroad and the schools that they are attending, including their homes or e-mail addresses so they could keep in contact.
The committee felt that this may not be an easy job for one department to handle so it assigned the Departments of Education and Resources and Development to set up the registry or data system to keep track on Yapese students who are learning abroad.
The committee also held brief discussions on the third measure, which proposes several amendments to the provisions of the Yap State Code.
Bill 7-70 seeks to amend Title 16 of the Yap State Code, Education, by adding a new chapter 7, to provide for the Academic Excellence Award Grant.
The bill would allow high school students from the state who maintain a 4.0 GPA from their freshmen through their senior years to receive grant.
The Yap Legislature would annually appropriate $40,000 for the eligible student.
