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Looking for opportunities outside of paradise
go through: Marisa Diarmeon Spiers
Palau Koror – Graduation season brings familiar questions to Palau’s youth: What’s the path ahead? College? Work? Military service? These are just some of the choices for about 2,300 Palauans between the ages of 12 and 24, representing 13 percent of the island nation’s total population.
Traditionally, Palauan youth have pursued a variety of paths: higher education, immediate employment, or military service. However, a recent trend has emerged – more and more are seeking education and career opportunities abroad. With an estimated 25-40% of Palauans living abroad, this phenomenon begs the question: why are young people leaving their island paradise?
Island talent, global ambitions
With this question, Island Times intern Marissa Spears interviewed Sylvester Francis Alonzi, Director of the Youth and Career Development Division of the Ministry of Human Resources, Culture, Tourism and Development (MHRCD). Alonzi plays a key role in guiding youth career development and identifying data gaps on Palau’s youth population.
He is currently involved in the implementation of the Palau National Youth Policy, a five-year plan (2023-2027) that outlines “a shared vision and goals for youth development, and strategies to achieve them.”
The policy focuses on six main objectives:
- Workforce Development: Build a skilled workforce to contribute to Palau’s sustainable economic development.
- Healthy Generation: Develop a strong and healthy generation, ready for future challenges.
- Community Involvement: To inculcate social values and promote community service to foster a sense of national ownership.
- Civic Engagement: Encourage youth and citizen participation at all levels of governance.
- Equity and Inclusion: Create equal opportunities for all young people, with a special focus on supporting at-risk and marginalized groups.
- cooperate: Establish a collaborative platform among youth-serving organizations and strengthen their capacity.
Alonzo’s Journey: Responsibility and Development
Alonzi is one of the youngest directors of MHRCD and brings a unique perspective. Prior to his current position, he worked with young people through NGOs such as the Red Cross and as a career guidance counselor at Palau High School and Mindszenty High School.
Alonz holds a bachelor’s degree in religious studies from Loyola University and a master’s degree in human rights and humanitarian action earned while studying in Paris. When asked about his decision to return to Palau, he expressed a sense of responsibility — a desire to contribute the knowledge and skills he has gained to enrich his community.
He stressed his connection with Palau’s youth, saying, “I am not much younger than the Republic of Palau.” He believes he can make a significant impact on Palauan society with his role. Using an analogy, Alonzi asked, “Would you rather be the tail of an elephant or the head of an ant?”
Challenges and opportunities
Alonz highlighted two main concerns based on his work with youth and personal experience: Palauan Diaspora as well as Reverse culture shock. Reverse culture shock refers to the situation in which people who return from studying or living abroad have difficulty readjusting to their home culture.
An increasing number of Palauan youth have grown up abroad and may not be proficient in the language, understand traditional customs, or be familiar with cultural hierarchies. Existing youth policies do not specifically target this group, which can cause them to experience difficulties when visiting or returning to Palau. In addition, their educational backgrounds may be very different, creating a sense of fear.
Alonz stressed Untapped potential In this group, he observed that many students had difficulty with career direction, and during his time as a counselor, he found that only a few were actively planning for college.
However, Alonzi remains optimistic about the resilience and cultural appreciation of Palau’s youth. He believes that traditional leaders and chiefs are most effective in working with youth, driven by genuine care and dedication. “Your title is an action,” he stressed.
As Palauan society evolves, it is equally important that young people come together to meet these evolving challenges. As President Surangel S. Whipps Jr. said in his Youth Policy Foreword:
“Today’s adults will not be here forever. You, today’s youth, will lead our governments, courts, schools, businesses, and communities. You will be responsible for protecting our heritage and culture and moving our Republic forward. That is why we must invest in our children for the Republic of Palau.”
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