The Young Pacific Leaders (YPL) Program is a youth leadership development program organized by the U.S. Department of State in 2013. The program includes exchanges to the United States, regional exchanges, and seed funding for projects. YPL seeks to build the leadership capabilities of youth in the region and strengthen ties between the United States and the Pacific. YPL focuses on critical topics identified by youth in the region: education, environment and resource management, civic leadership, economic and social development.
The YPL community consists of young leaders 20-35 years old from Australia, the Cook Islands, Fiji, Federated States of Micronesia, French Polynesia, Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Nauru, New Caledonia, New Zealand, Niue, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu, Vanuatu, Wallis and Futuna, American Samoa, Guam, Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, and Hawaii.
Upon completion, alumni will be supported in implementing their leadership vision and plans through a small grant program, follow-on conferences, and ongoing engagement with the U.S. Embassy in their country. Participants will become a part of the International Exchange Alumni community, which offers an online forum, allowing them to remain in close contact and share the ways they are making a difference in their countries and their region.
The program is fully funded by the U.S. Department of State.
Cultural Vistas is currently administering the following Young Pacific Leaders programs in partnership with the U.S. Department of State:
- YPL Conference
- YPL Small Grants Program
- YPL Regional Workshops
Full information about the YPL program can be found on the website of the U.S. Embassy in New Zealand: https://nz.usembassy.gov/young-pacific-leaders/
The program is fully funded by the U.S. Department of State. Opportunities to apply for U.S. exchanges are advertised throughout the year. Join the mailing list to get updates on upcoming YPL exchanges.