The outer island regions of Pattiw, Pafeng, and Namonweito which make up the Northwest District in Chuuk State, Federated States of Micronesia have undergone a troubling history of divisions caused by politics. We recognize the complexity of issues and needs facing the people in these outer islands and acknowledge the incredible challenge to solve these issues. What we present here are our understanding of those needs and solutions to meet these challenges. We present them here with utmost humility in our hearts and invite others to join us in discussing how together we can transform these needs into opportunities for the people.
Educational Reform is our Top Priority!
An educated citizenry is the key to breaking the cycle of disempowerment among the people in the Northwest region in Chuuk. No single issue deserves top priority in the outer islands today than the ensuring of adequate education for our children. It is imperative that our young generations of outer islanders are given all the available resources to survive in a globalized and fast-changing world. Providing our youth with the best education is the best way to prepare our region for 2023 when the economic provisions of the Compact of Free Association expires.
Faith-inspired Political Leadership!
Our small island communities with close relationships and deep abiding faith in God have been negatively impacted by the political system. Politics as practiced in Chuuk today has torn our people apart and caused unnecessary hardships among an otherwise peace-loving culture. We call for leaders who are truly inspired by their conscience to lead by example by leading people informed by their faith in God. For when love is the foundation of your desire for public service, then nothing else matters, but the good of the people just like our Lord would want it…
Uniting Our Efforts Under One Roof!
The people in the Northwest region need a place on Weno we can truly call our own, a place that unites the three regions of Pattiw, Pafeng, and Namonweito, and a place that advances Northwest services and advocacy efforts in the areas of educational opportunities, economic development, health care, leadership development, cultural preservation. The Fanapi Center will be such a place…
Preventive Care is the Best Medicine!
Preventive health care must be improved to combat the increase of obesity, diabetes, and other health problems in the outer islands of the Northwest region. In a State which suffers from incompetent leadership and lack of resources, the only sure medicine that has always been available to us as a people has been our own way of life; we need to re-educate our people on preventive measures such as the need to lead less sedentary lifestyles…
Prosperity Through Sustainable Development!
The outer islands have suffered from a lack of leadership and sustainable economic development strategies. Despite millions of dollars of Compact funds aimed at capital and economic improvement projects in the Northwest region, all we have to show for are bankrupted Pattiw and Namonweito Authorities, rusted fishing boats, fiberglass boats, and irresponsible gifts to bribe people before elections, and projects for a few at the expense of the many…
Energizing the Young Generation for Civic Engagement!
The youth have been the backbone of our community activities in Chuuk. Ironically, they have also been the members of our island communities who have beeng given the least resources. Their voices are not readily heard because of the cultural misconception that youth means inexperience rather than energy; that youth (hemirit) means lack of wisdom when in fact they bear creativity; that youth are undisciplined when in fact they are hungry for knowledge…
Reuniting People On Common Needs!
Political campaigns and elections have become a source of divisiveness and corruption in our families, clans, communities, State, and even our nation. It has become standard practice among many incumbent legislators to use government funds to buy votes by giving money, sacks of rice, and other food items only to the people who have pledged their votes to the politicians. Rather than focusing on our common needs and common good, politicians have continued to divide people against each other to produce results that help their re-election process…
Bridging Local Needs with Global Resources!
Since the Compact of Free Association went into effect, there has been a steady exodus of outer islanders in search of better life for themselves and their families. Many of our outer islanders living overseas in Guam, Hawaii, and the mainland have established their own base of resources. Yet they have not been empowered to participate in governance and finding solutions to our needs in the Northwest…
Empowering Women’s Leadership Roles!
Much like the rest of the world, Chuuk is undergoing a paradigm shift in recognizing the importance of women in leadership roles. Women have traditionally been the backbone of the family, a role that has over time become a cause of injustice in today’s democratic government; today, many Chuukese men expect women to serve in subservient roles in the community. We must reclaim our tradition of honoring the women in our communities by involving them in governance structures…
Open Governance Encourages Community Involvement!
Ironically, while our Chuukese culture espouses fairness, openness, and hospitality, our government suffers from a lack of accountability and transparency. People have very little knowledge or involvement in the day-to-day operations and policy-making decisions in the government. Because no one is demanding a transparent governance, the political leaders continue to make funding decisions that are not for the greater good of the community…
Having Access to Information & Resources!
The distance of the outer islands from the main centers poses a real challenge of access to resources and valuable information. In a technologically advanced age, there is no reason why these outer islands should not have information readily available to them. But it takes efforts and leadership to prioritize information as necessary component of an effective and actively engaged democratic system of government…
Protecting Our Natural Resources for Future Generations!
The care of our lands, seas, and air is the responsibility of every Chuukese citizen. The government must provide adequate funding, leadership, and programs to educate the public in the proper stewardship of our natural resources. Efforts must be made to empower the NGO’s that are dedicated to environmental issues…