Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — Through an Oct. 07 executive order, Gov. Lemanu P.S Mauga established the Governor’s Youth Council, saying the “American Samoa Government wants to encourage our youth to have a voice in the future of our territory.”

The governor pointed out that “keeping young people involved in the affairs of our government and society will encourage them to learn here, to work here, and to live here.”

Furthermore, “providing young people in the territory with a forum to address their concerns will promote the long-term health of our society.”

Among the “Duties of the Council”, is to act as a voice for the territory’s youth to the ASG; select a chair and vice chair who preside over meetings of the Council; coordinate with government leaders to carry out functions of the Council, — which is to meet no less than once a month; and express the concerns of children and youth.

The Council is also to:

•           make recommendations for policies for public programs to address the needs of children and youth including, but not limited to, health, social services, education, recreation, delinquency, foster care, transportation and job opportunities;

•           review and make recommendations for legislation pertaining to children and youth in areas including, but not limited to, health, social services, education, recreation, delinquency, foster care and job opportunities; and

•           encourage and foster local community action on behalf of and by children and youth adults.

According to the governor’s order, the Youth Council will consist of two students — one boy and one girl — from each public and private school that has high school classes to be selected by the principal or director of that school.

Also on the Council is one student who is 22 years old or younger from the American Samoa Community College that is selected by the college president; and six members appointed by the Governor — two from each district — who are 22-years old or younger at the time of their appointment.

Initial appointments to the Council shall be made as soon as possible and subsequent appointments shall be made by Sept. 15 of each year.

For “staff support,” the executive order directs the Youth and Women’s Affairs director to act as a liaison between the Youth Council and other organizations to ensure the smooth and continued operation of the Council;

The new order — which supersedes a 1996 order — takes effect immediately and will remain in effective until Jan. 03, 2025 unless it is extended, superseded, amended or repealed.