Kaselehlie Press - Young PALM Declaration presented in Miyakojima

Young PALM Declaration presented in Miyakojima

May 25, 2012Miyakojima, OkinawaYoung PALMers perform a production number at the Young PALM Summit

Accompanied by an excellent symphonic band consisting of young residents of the island, Miyakojima dignitaries treated Pacific Island leaders to a full red carpet reception as their charter plane arrived for the Young PALM presentation. Each of the Forum Island Countries (FICs) sent two young representatives to the Young PALM. The Federated States of Micronesia was represented by Anne Marie Rosario, and Adanacio Primo. Rosario and Primo are students at Pohnpei Islands Central School (PICS). Both said that they made friends from around the Pacific that they will never forget. Their chaperone was Cliff James.

The idea of the Young PALM was to foster mutual understanding of young people in the Pacific region. That afternoon, participants dramatically read the contents of the Young PALM Declaration. On conclusion of the reading they presented a dramatic dance after which young people of each nation were asked to accompany their leaders to a position on the stage and to present a hard copy of the declaration. The text of the declaration follows:

At Young PALM we have learned that working together is essential to achieve a mutual goal. As leaders of your nations, responsibility falls upon you to actively engagein a united effort to bring together the people of our region. Thus, strengthening diplomatic relations and removing cultural barriers.

Our Pacific region is known for being a paradise in itself, hence Miyako Island has been deemed the perfect location for this year’s young PALM meeting, as it is a great example of an eco-friendly island. Our mission is to learn about environmental issues and to propose solutions that will be in the best interest of every nation represented here at PALM 6. In the past three days, we have immersed ourselves in the Okinawan culture, people and sights, as well as deepened our friendships with other participants. Our excursion to the Sodeyama Water Treatment Plant, and lectures from Dr. Sakurai and local high school students have opened our eyes to water related issues and solutions relevant to our lives. The four major issues regarding water in our Pacific islands are:

Water Resource Management

There is a decreased quality and quantity of water due to pollution. We are alarmed that there are inadequate regulations in place to prevent water pollution, sustain water quality, and ensure water security.

International Cooperation

Pacific islands lack the finance or ability to secure their water access on their own.

Education for Sustainable Development

Lack of education leads to environmentally destructive human activities, such as the wasting of water.

Further Issues

Other problems exist due to human activity, contamination of the sea, and excessive CO2.

I. Water resource conservation

We Young PALMers promise to:

1. Contribute to the improvement of water facilities

2. Encourage people to apply suitable technology for each region.

3. Assist others in our communities in managing water.

4. Understand the importance of water, and use it carefully.

Our governments should:

1. Increase funding for the improvement of water facilities.

2. Provide more water storage systems.

3. Make laws and legislation for the preservation of water concerning water protection zones.

4. Monitor the safety, quality and quantity of water.

5. Create different methods to purify water.

6. Regulate the activities of factories to prevent pollution of our seas.

II. International Cooperation

1. Our governments and the Asia-Pacific Water Forum should establish a union regarding water, that:

a. Monitors and advises its member countries.

b. Sets and accomplishes short and long term goals.

c. Is able to evaluate its performance.

2. Increase Official Development Assistance.

3. Declare that every country should reduce CO2 emissions, in turn preventing the flooding of small islands.

4. Cooperate with other countries in planning water emergency strategies, checking waste management, and sharing technological knowledge. Help countries that lack safe water by searching for the most suitable ways to

allow for water sustainability.

5. Raise awareness on exploitation of natural resources by foreign countries, by spreading knowledge using mass media.

6. Hold frequent international events on environmental problems where younger generations can make suggestions to their government leaders on environmental issues.

III. Education for Sustainable Development

We Young PALMers promise to:

1. Study water related issues that affect the Pacific to solve these problems by strongly recommending eco-friendly lifestyles.

2. Utilize mass media to spread our opinions on environmental matters.

Our government should:

1. Manage their resources by educating communities and the world as a whole about prioritizing environmental matters.

IV. Further issues

We Young PALMers promise to:

1. Preserve our local environments by participating in volunteer services to keep our islands beautiful for future generations.

2. Participate in activities to promote awareness concerning water related issues, and share environmental problems and solutions with others.

3. Adopt eco-friendly habits by completing the “6 R’s”: Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, Refuse, Repair, and Respect.

4. Use alternative transport that does not give off carbon dioxide and other gases that affect our atmosphere.

Our governments should:

1. Take leadership in improving the economy, water security, and water resource management in order to earn trust from their people and be a good role model for the international community.

As participants of Young PALM 2012, we envision a world where every person has access to safe and clean drinking water, where Mother Nature thrives without negative impacts from humans.

As we stand here today proposing these solutions to the leaders of our nations, we also declare our commitment to minimize our impact on the environment, conserve our water resources, and respect each other’s cultures.

One country cannot combat c l i m a t e change alone;

i n t e r n a t i o n a l cooperation is essential.

After all, we all live on one planet.

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