Guåhan but not Forgotten: Regional Programs Connect Australian and Micronesian Youth

Hello and hafa adai (‘hello’ in the Chamorro language). My name is Paul Kaletsis. I was born and raised in Sydney, Australia, but I am the descendent of Greek immigrants who left Europe after World War II in search of a better life. I’ve had the privilege of serving as PAYA’s Manager of Events since July 2022. I joined the PAYA family just prior to my recent chapter living in Vanuatu and New Caledonia through the Australian Government’s New Colombo Plan Scholarship, spending 12 months working on both local and regional sustainable development programs.

Working with PAYA has opened many exciting doors that I couldn’t have possibly imagined just 16 months ago. One of the most rewarding experiences was the opportunity to represent PAYA and Australia at the United States Department of State’s Young Pacific Leaders Conference in Guåhan (Guam) in April 2023. Joining 45 young leaders from across 20 countries and territories opened my eyes to the history and cultural beauty of island communities across our Blue Pacific. Whilst we are more connected than ever, I also came to appreciate that more work can be done to enhance cultural exchange and enhance cultural understanding between youth across our region.

YPL Cultural Night hosted at Governor’s House in Hagåtña, the capital village of Guam

My story begins in November 2022, the day after the conclusion of PAYA’s inaugural Youth Leadership Summit in Nouméa. I was speaking to one of the Summit’s delegates from Rockhampton in central Queensland, Zhanae, who shared about an incredible program she had participated in that year in Hawai’i, the ‘Young Pacific Leaders Conference’. She had worked alongside youth from every corner of the Pacific, sharing cultural insights and enhancing youth leadership to address challenges concerning 4 key regional pillars: Education, Environment and Resource Management, Civic Leadership, and Economic and Social Development. Hearing Zhanae’s transformative experience, the cultural understanding she gained, and the knowledge and skills with which she departed the Conference, was all the inspiration that I needed to start my application to attend the 2023 Conference. I returned to Vanuatu and began my application immediately, not knowing just how incredible an opportunity had been revealed to me.

To my surprise, the following January I was accepted as a YPL Conference delegate. Despite two cyclones hitting Vanuatu in March 2023 and last-minute flight cancellations, I finally touched down in Guam alongside 44 young leaders from across the Pacific. The Conference consisted of workshops, panel discussions, and opportunities for group discussions facilitated by YPL Alumni surrounding the four YPL pillars. Each of these sessions provided fantastic insight into contemporary challenges impacting Pacific youth, whilst also revealing opportunities that we as young professionals could commit ourselves to in order to enhance outcomes for youth across our region.

Where YPL excelled, and why I remember the Conference so fondly, is the opportunities that delegates had to immerse in Guam’s indigenous Chamorro culture, and the cultural exchanges that occurred between youth from each of the countries and territories represented. We had the opportunity to learn about traditional Micronesian navigational techniques, attend a cultural night at the Governor’s Residence featuring performances from each country, and experience the island through a tour organised by YPL’s Guam alumni. The 2023 YPL Conference offered an unparalleled opportunity to experience the diverse heritage and cultural beauty of our Blue Pacific, and the importance of maintaining traditional knowledge. It was inspiring to learn about initiatives led by Chamorro youth to protect Guam’s natural environment, and to preserve traditional Chamorro culture and language.

Learning about Traditional Micronesian Island Navigation Techniques

The time would eventually come to depart Guam and return to my work in Vanuatu. However, the inspiration I received during the Conference, from both old friends and new, would stay with me long after I returned. Six months on, I continue to tell my family and friends about the dinner that was hosted for us at the home of the Certeza family, and the spine-tingling sensation that I experienced listening to performances of traditional Chamorro songs. I sincerely hope that Chamorro youth continue to preserve their beautiful language and traditions, carrying forwards this cultural knowledge for future generations.

The YPL Conference left me feeling inspired to build opportunities to enhance cultural connections between youth across our Blue Pacific. Returning to my role with PAYA, I came to identify a glaring gap in regional connectivity: a gap in interactions and cultural exchange between youth in Micronesia and Australia. Whilst strong cultural ties exist between Australian, Melanesian and Polynesian youth, the vast distance between Micronesia and Australia has prevented many opportunities from arising for youth to develop ties and engage in cultural exchange. Having the privilege to meet youth not just from Guam, but from Palau, the Northern Mariana Islands, Kiribati and the Republic of the Marshall Islands, I endeavoured to provide an such an opportunity.

After several months of planning, this vision came to life. PAYA delivered our Micronesian Cultural Voyages Webinar hosted this September, bringing together stories and perspectives from youth across Micronesia and Australia. YPL alumni Holly (Belau/Palau) and Joseph (Guåhan/Guam) shared their professional careers and journeys with our PAYA family joining from across Australia, Melanesia and Polynesia. They were joined by Sophie, a young Australian and fellow New Colombo Plan Scholar, who was returning to the Federated States of Micronesia after she previously spent six months studying and working in public health in Pohnpei. Each speaker shared a snapshot of the impact they are having in their local communities, whilst simultaneously exposing our attendees to the rich diversity of culture, history and values amongst communities living across the thousands of Micronesian islands. This initiative is one of many steps PAYA is taking to promote opportunities for youth across the Pacific-Australia region, and to provide opportunities to enhance collaboration and cultural understanding between youth across Micronesia and Australia.

Sophie (Australia) – Sharing Her Experience Studying and Working in Pohnpei

The U.S Embassy & Consulate in New Zealand deserves immense praise for organising the Young Pacific Leaders program, and for equipping its delegates with the passion, networks and vision to create initiatives to enhance Pacific leadership and appreciation of our Blue Pacific’s rich cultural tapestry. I encourage everyone to follow We Are Young Pacific Leaders on social media to learn about the programs they offer, and how you as a young leader can build the skills and knowledge to create positive change within your local community. Opportunities to learn more about unique cultures, traditions and stories from across our Blue Pacific await.

Si Yu'os Ma'åse' (Thank you) for the space to share my story.

Written by Paul Kaletsis - PAYA Manager of Events