PISA National Celebrates #BluePacificYouth with YouTube As Fiji, Tonga, Samoa and Vanuatu Announce Blue Pacific Youth Champions
Many Asian American and Pacific Islander organizations across America have taken the first day of May, also the beginning of AAPI Heritage Month, as a cue to announce new programs, Executive Directors, policy reports, giving campaigns, and special events to commemorate culture and heritage. It has been nothing short of exciting to witness the launch of innovation across both communities, and it feels like this year’s Heritage month seems to carry a more communal spirit than past years. Of course, the conversation and pursuit to disaggregate Pacific Islander data from the larger AAPI umbrella is still ongoing and necessary, however the understanding and mutual respect between the two kindred spirits cannot go unnoticed.
Amidst this flurry of activity, one striking trend emerges: a concerted effort to unify Blue Pacific youth, both within the U.S. diaspora and throughout the Blue Pacific Region. PISA National, alongside three Pacific Islander student-clubs (University of Southern California, University of Michigan, and Cal State Dominguez Hills), is leading a historic 7-week digital content campaign with YouTube to amplify the voices and narratives of #BluePacificYouth across America. Concurrently, Tonga, Fiji, Samoa, and Vanuatu are rolling out the final selections of this year’s Blue Pacific Youth Champions who will have the honor of embarking on year-long leadership journey around the Blue Pacific region that is focused on climate adaptation and resilience.
With each island nation selecting four representatives to join the pan-Pacific Blue Pacific Youth Initiative (led by the U.S Peace Corps), signifies a pivotal moment in U.S.-Pacific relations. Grounded in the strategic goals and outcomes outlined in the Blue Pacific Strategy that was designed and endorsed by the Pacific Islands Forum leaders, the Blue Pacific Youth Initiative is a joint effort between the United States and the Blue Pacific Region to develop Pacific Islander youth, and strengthen U.S-Pacific relations.
Furthermore, the groundbreaking partnership between PISA National and YouTube adds another layer of shared commitment to not only showcasing the stories of Blue Pacific Youth but also elevating our voices here in the United States. PISA National, alongside a consortium of grassroots entities on both sides of the Pacific, believe and actively are working towards building sustainable pathways between the two places we call home, and this collaboration sets the stage for enduring bonds between the Blue Pacific Region and the U.S. Pacific diaspora, charting a path toward sustainable progress.
