AS-CAN fellowships for students entering public policy and environmental studies

Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — The American Samoa Climate Action Network (AS-CAN) is a community-based initiative that aims to empower and equip US-Affiliated Pacific Islanders (USAPI) with the political knowledge and advocacy skills to engage in environmental discourse at a national level.

In doing so they announced a fellowship for those interested in public policy and environmental studies and those who are passionate about helping our island community.

The deadline for the fellowship is August 24, 2022.

“Our work is split into two: advocacy and program development —initiatives both rooted with the goal of increasing the representation of USAPI in the federal government,” said Daniel Torres Balauro, President's Sustainability Research Fellow in response to questions from Samoa News.

Balauro said American Samoa is heavily impacted by the climate crisis — yet despite this fact, Pacific Islanders (let alone, American Samoans) are heavily underrepresented in the federal government, especially ones that deal with direct climate policy.

“No Pacific Islander has ever been politically appointed to the most senior-level positions in the Department of Energy, Environmental Protection Agency, or the National Climate Task Force.

“Pacific Islanders are uniquely impacted by the climate crisis -- not only through ecological disruptions, but also within our health, economy, and importantly, culture. American Samoa and other US Pacific Territories are situated in an interesting geo-political state.

“We are part of the South Pacific (contributing less than 1% of greenhouse gas emissions collectively), but also we are under the jurisdiction of the United States -- one of the top polluters in the world.

“To add on, there exists very little political avenues to affect federal policy due to being barred from voting in presidential elections, no Senate representation, and limited to electing one non-voting member to the House of Representatives. It is only fitting that we challenge this issue, and ensure that our voices are heard at the table.”

He said their fellowship aims to disrupt this status quo. 

“The AS-CAN Environmental Policy Fellowship will connect students to mentors working in the field of sustainability and policy, with the goal of offering students paid professional development skills, demonstrating to them their leadership capabilities, and ultimately, inspire them to give back to American Samoa.

“Along that, we hope to create a pipeline of future policy-makers (both at the local and federal level.)”

In addition to Balauro the AS-CAN Environmental Policy Fellowship is also headed up by Chanel Fatu.

The two students are graduates of Fa’asao Marist High School from 2019, and now current college seniors respectively studying at Swarthmore College and Northern Arizona University both majoring in Environmental Policy.

They are funded by a grant that Balauro received from the Lang Center for Civic and Social Responsibility of Swarthmore College and that they are also supported by many community partners including Sabrina Suluai-Mahuka, Patrick Ti’a Reid, and Representative Andra Samoa.

“Our 2022 mentors come from the EPA (Casuallen Atuatasi), Department of Commerce (Petti Matila), Department of Public Works (Faleosina Voigt) & ASCC-ACNR (DJ Sena and Ian Gurr).”  

The students will be matched to a mentor in one of the participating institutions, and will work as an intern from September 12 - November 04 and that students will receive professional working experience, be supplemented with extra connections and resources within the field of sustainability and policy, and learn how to write policy.

All students selected will receive $750 for their participation in the program. They will also receive mentorship on how to leverage the fellowship experience for college and job applications.

For more information, contact Daniel Torres ([email protected]) or Chanel Fatu ([email protected]).”

Patrick Ti’a Reid an Executive at the Governor’s Office said it has been a pleasure for the Governor’s Office and various ASG departments to provide support to Balauro on important issues as environmental policy and climate change.

“Mr. Balauro is an intelligent and service-minded young man and product of American Samoa who is already committed to making meaningful impacts among the youth in American Samoa. We encourage all eligible and interested youth to take advantage of this amazing fellowship opportunity.”