OIA PRESS RELEASEJunior Statesmen Foundation Students from Insular Areas Visit OIA
July 30, 2008 - Today, seven students from the insular areas attending summer school at Georgetown through the Junior Statesmen Program visited the Department of the Interior’s Office of Insular Affairs (OIA) in Washington. The seven students hail from the U.S. Virgin Islands, the Northern Mariana Islands and American Samoa. These students have completed a month-long summer program at Georgetown. The students met with Director Nikolao Pula, Charlene Leizear, Director of Technical Assistance, Mary Baltimore, Program Analyst/Grants Manager in the Technical Assistance Division and, Faride Komisar, Grants Manager from the Budget Division. The Director talked to them about the various programs in the insular areas and programs that are funded through the Office of Insular Affairs. In 2008, OIA provided funding assistance to the Junior Statesmen Foundation to provide summer enrichment programs and/or full scholarships for students from six insular areas: American Samoa, the Northern Mariana Islands, Guam, U.S. Virgin Islands, Palau, and Micronesia. Part of the funds are used for summer enrichment programs in the respective insular areas and also for some students to attend the 2008 Junior Statesmen Presidential Nomination Convention Symposia which includes attending the Democratic and Republican conventions. The Office of Insular Affairs has provided assistance for youth from the Insular Areas to participate in the Junior Statesmen Foundation programs for over 20 years. |
