Overview:
Mia Kuartei ends her NYCC tenure, urging stronger youth voice, safe spaces, and cultural leadership in shaping Palau’s future policies.
By: Laurel Marewibuel
KOROR, Palau — Mia Kuartei has wrapped up her tenure as executive director of the National Youth Congress of Palau, reflecting on the challenges facing the nation’s young people and the role of youth advocacy in shaping policy.
“Youth today face a shortage of safe spaces, both physical and virtual, along with limited funding and availability of youth-focused programs and services,” Kuartei said. “But the solution isn’t just building new spaces or increasing funding. We need more effective collaboration and coordination across existing programs to create integrated support networks that provide a continuum of care.”
Kuartei pointed to the Division of Youth under the Ministry of Human Resources, Culture, Tourism and Development as central to implementing Palau’s National Youth Policy. “With limited resources, the division serves as a hub to coordinate and implement programs that reflect youth needs in a unified approach,” she said.
During her year at the helm, Kuartei emphasized the Congress’s core mission: ensuring youth voices shape national policies. “Advocacy is the heart of what we do,” she said. “Youth are often lumped together as a single group, when they’re actually very diverse and navigating complex identities.”
She acknowledged the challenge of high turnover in membership due to the transitional nature of youth aged 12 to 24, but said this turnover also brings fresh perspectives that keep the organization relevant.
Looking ahead, Kuartei urged stronger partnerships between government ministries and youth organizations. “The simplest answer is: include youth at every stage—conversation, planning, implementation. Treat youth as significant stakeholders,” she said.
Kuartei also challenged hesitation to fully entrust youth with leadership. “We can’t keep telling youth to trust us to take care of Palau until we’re gone. We must give them a seat at the table now,” she said.
Offering advice for emerging youth leaders, she called on them to balance cultural heritage with modern governance. “Our language and culture aren’t just things to document—they must be lived and practiced every day. Palauan youth hold the key to preserving these traditions while blending them with contemporary governance that reflects who we are as a nation.”
As she steps down, Kuartei said she remains optimistic about the future of Palau’s young people. “We’re counting on you,” she said.