THE MICRONESIA INSTITUTE, INC. 1983-2003 A Twenty-year Review c/o Patricia Luce Chapman 6 Spoonbill Lane Rockport, TX 78382 [email protected] * 361/790-5715 THE MICRONESIA INSTITUTE, INC. - 1 - THE MICRONESIA INSTITUTE, INC. 1983-2003 A Twenty-year Review The Micronesia Institute is being restructured by Micronesian leaders to enable the islanders better to meet some of their common needs in this new 21st Century A summary of its founding, and the programs and people who have taken part in the development of this singular private organization -- which embraces all the peoples of the Micronesian cultural area -- shows that the focus of the organization has been on education, privatization and volunteerism in the fields of: ** private sector business growth ** cultural preservation and development ** training in preventive health care ** program assistance to private organizations The Institute, with an extremely limited budget and staff, found it necessary to focus on areas where it observed the greatest need, where its work was most requested, and where there were strong Micronesians working to improve the lives of the people. No disrespect was intended for areas that may not have received as much attention as others, nor was the friendship and affection any less. Sometimes the intentions of the Institute were misconstrued due to unfamiliarity with private sector practice, or transportation obstacles were unsolvable; these impacted some programs. In other cases, projects did not receive the necessary funding and could not be carried out. In many cases, pilot programs later were adapted by larger organizations. Often the MI could also serve by enabling others to make gifts through the MI umbrella. Always, the personal rewards to the non-Micronesians, and we hope also to the islanders, were deep and lasting. We are fortunate to have been associated with the peoples of Micronesia and wish good fortune to the successor Institute. The Institute's temporary address is c/o its Founder, Patricia Luce Chapman, at 6 Spoonbill Lane, Rockport, TX 78382. The Micronesia Institute, August 2004, Washington, DC THE MICRONESIA INSTITUTE, INC. - 2 - CONTENTS BACKGROUND 3 ORGANIZATION 4 PROGRAMS and CRITERIA 5 I. PRIVATE SECTOR DEVELOPMENT Symposia 5-13 Investment Seminars 13-19 Chambers of Commerce 19-22 Publications on Private Sector Development 22-23 II. EDUCATION 23 Libraries 24 Diplomatic Training Programs 24 College Student Orientation Program 25 Georgetown U. Pacific Islands Project 26 Press Seminars 27 Guam, USA Education Project 28 Majuro, RMI Cooperative School 28 Yale University Intern to the RMI 28 Cornell/Stanford Intern to Kosrae, FSM 28 Research on Effect of Removing Student Grants 29 Schuyler Nijri Kendall Memorial Foundation 29 Help to Agricultural Students 29 III. MENTAL AND PHYSICAL HEALTH CARE 29 Chuuk “Red Cross” 31 Cultural Therapy 31 Cross-Cultural Counseling 32 George Washington U. School of Medicine 32 Women United Together of the Marshall Islands 33 Medical Supplies 33 Disaster Relief 34 IV. CULTURE Micronesian Endowment for Hist. Preservation 34-35 Donated Paintings of Micronesian Areas 35 Promoting Culture through Gifts 35 APPENDIX 36 THE MICRONESIA INSTITUTE, INC. - 3 - BACKGROUND The area of Micronesia, in the central Pacific, has in the last 20 years become three new nations in free association with the United States (the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM), the Republic of the Marshall Islands (RMI), and the Republic of Palau (ROP). The northernmost islands, the Marianas became the US Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI). All these areas were initially administered by the United States after their liberation in World War II. Later, they became a United Nations Trust Territory administered by the United States. The Micronesia area also includes the Republics of Kiribati and Nauru, and the US Territory of Guam. The entire region consists of some 2,100 islands dotted across an area of the Pacific Ocean the size of the continental United States, stretching from the Marshall Islands southwest of Hawaii, down to Nauru just below the equator, and east to the Republic of Palau just a few hundred miles from the Philippines. It is a region of stunning physical beauty and variety, vast oceanic resources, and proud, intelligent, hardworking and friendly peoples with a rich cultural heritage. Since their acquisition in the 16th century by Spain during the time of Magellan -- before the Pilgrims left England for the then unknown land which became America - the citizens of the various island areas (referring here to the Freely Associated States and the CNMI) were dominated by a succession of foreign authorities: Spain, Germany, and Japan, and then after World War II, the United States and the United Nations. It was only within the last 30 years that the Micronesians were enabled, primarily through US grants and programs and access to good education, to begin to plan for their futures. Brilliant leadership - in Palau, Lazarus Salii; in the Federated States, Tosiwo Nakayama; in the Marshalls, Amata Kabua, in the CNMI, Edward DLG Pangalinan - and leaders of goodwill in the United States, led to plebiscites on Commonwealth status for the Mariana Islands, and to Free Association for the other three. A series of Hearings in the U.S. Congress, followed by action in the UN to secure termination of the Trusteeship, brought the establishment of the new independent governments of the FSM and the RMI in 1986 and Palau in 1994. In early 1982 it became apparent to a small group of Americans that the development of a private sector organization would assist Micronesia as it moved from the welfare handouts to which had become accustomed, back to the former self-reliance and selfsufficiency. They also felt that such an organization could further American awareness of the historic American responsibilities and ties to the Micronesian peoples. It was also in America’s self-interest to do so as the area continues to be of strategic significance to the free world. Major trade routes with Southeast Asia, Japan, and the US pass through Micronesian waters and airspace. In Free Association, the US guarantees the defense of all THE MICRONESIA INSTITUTE, INC. - 4 - of Micronesia‘s lands and oceans. ORGANIZATION The Micronesia Institute (MI), a non-profit, 501-c-3 educational charitable organization, was formed in 1983 in Washington, DC under the leadership of Patricia Luce Chapman and in consultation with Eddie DLG Pangelinan of Guam and the CNMI; Noriwo Ubedei of Palau; Epel Ilon of the FSM; Oscar de Brum of the RMI; Singeru Singeo, Ph.D. of the College of Micronesia, Palau, and the FSM; former Ambassador Peter Rosenblatt and Ambassador Fred Zeder of the Office for Micronesian Status Negotiations and members of their offices. The MI was governed by a Board of Directors, including Micronesians, advised by an Honorary Board of Directors and an Advisory Council of knowledgeable civic leaders, educators, scholars, physicians, and business executives. The Institute had no political, religious, territorial or financial interests in Micronesia. A small administrative staff at the Washington, DC headquarters with Micronesian interns and program officers and sometimes Americans and other nationals, coordinated fund raising, proposal writing, project oversight and administration.. Individual projects were led when possible by a Micronesian director located where the project was conducted, and by local Micronesian project advisory committees. The Micronesian interns were fully involved in the process, as part of an educational experience, of operating the non-profit organization and also in the opportunities offered by the Washington, DC location. In turn they educated the MI Board and staff on Micronesian customs and needs and were invaluable in development of relevant programs. Programs Programs focused on self-help and self-sustaining projects to the greatest extent possible. The designs were based on close or specific suggested areas of need. Some embraced all of Micronesia, such as support for the Micronesian Endowment for Historic Preservation (MEHP) and programs on private sector development. Others were directed to an area, and some to one village or atoll. Programs ranged from medical and humanitarian relief to encouragement of traditional cultures, private sector and business seminars and symposia, and student programs. The Institute also hosted receptions to honor visiting Micronesians, their nations and their arts, meetings to interest other organizations in Micronesia, and identification of professionals to help create support networks in their fields. Funding The Institute relied on individual contributions, foundation, corporate and governTHE MICRONESIA INSTITUTE, INC. - 5 - ment grants, and donations through the Combined Federal Campaign. PROGRAMS and PROGRAM CRITERIA 1. Prior consultation The MI founders had, as an absolute criterion for program development, the creation of activities designed or proposed by or with Micronesians, and jointly executed. This Micronesian co-ownership of the activities was a primary reason for MI ability to conduct relevant and encompassing programs on an extremely small budget. The MI found that Micronesians at all levels were surprised and deeply appreciative to be consulted before a program was created and that their input and equal participation, initiative and leadership was required. The result was programs that were relevant, sustainable, unusual, cost-effective, and well-run by Micronesian