AUCKLAND – Federated States of Micronesia’s (FSM) representative to Power Shift, Lucille Sian wants to create change in the mindset of her country’s people in their attitudes towards disaster preparedness and take back a practical action plan after returning home from the biggest youth climate summit in New Zealand.Lucille, from Chuuk State in FSM has vast experience in youth advocacy, a member of several youth councils in FSM – Chuuk Youth Council (NGO), FSM Youth Council and Pacific Youth Council – and is currently an employee of the College of Micronesia.While delivering her country presentation at the Looking Beyond Disaster (LBD) forum today, Lucille highlighted that Chuuk is one of the four states in FSM, with more than half of the islands population (53221 people) living on it and though the young people are the majority – 75 percent – they are very silent in voicing out their concerns on issues concerning their future.

“My plan of action after these events (Power Shift and LBD forum), is to gather as much information and share it through my networks,” says Lucille. “I am here to absorb information from my fellow Pacific youths, their actions, experience, opinions, projects and solutions in regards to disaster.” She explains that the rising sea levels due to global warming has a mental impact on the disaster resilience work carried out by the people on the island, sometimes getting their hopes down to take action.Lucille adds her expectations out of Power Shift is very high and aims to take back workable or actionable strategic plans that young people – from Chuuk Youth Council/FSM Youth Council/ Micronesians – can relate to and implement.