Applicants sought for Security Scholars Program

SUVA, Fiji—Limited financial resources, geographic isolation and a lack of exposure are a few of the many barriers that limit greater participation of Pacific Islanders in international affairs. Nevertheless, the Pacific Islands Society believes that these challenging circumstances provide a unique perspective for future policymakers and policy experts to develop innovative solutions to global problems.

Through the Pacific Security Scholars Program, PacSoc welcomes young professionals, postgraduate students, and research students to take part in a program that aims to inspire and empower a generation of leaders working toward a stronger voice for Pacific Islanders on international affairs.

Over the course of the program, participants will have the opportunity to have mentorship from leading experts and professionals at the highest level of foreign policymaking. Participants will also be given the opportunity to actively engage in these international discussions by publishing op-eds and policy recommendations in leading policy publications.

Lora Vaoileti, a participant from the inaugural class of Security Scholars, says the program “offers a unique balance of mentorship, structure, networks, and generous insight to young leaders…. What I felt and still feel differentiates the organization (and thus this program) is that this is a young, passionate and internationally spread organization with a big finger on the pulse of our region.”

The Pacific Islands Society is now accepting applications from the following countries, territories, prefectures, and states: Fiji, Tonga, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Vanuatu, Kiribati, Nauru, Solomon Islands, New Zealand, Federated States of Micronesia, Palau, Niue, Republic of Marshall Islands, Tuvalu, French Polynesia, New Caledonia, American Samoa, Tokelau, Guam, Timor-Leste, Wallis and Futuna, Hawai`i, Okinawa, and the Northern Mariana Islands.

If interested, send an expression of interest, C.V., and two recommendations to vicepresident@islandssociety.org. When submitting, paste the requested items in the body of the email rather than as attached documents. Applications will remain open until Nov. 1, 2015, or until the five Pacific Security Scholars are chosen.

About the Pacific Islands Society

The Pacific Islands Society (www.islandssociety.org) is an independent, non-partisan, non-governmental organization that develops and implements projects that inspire and empower Pacific Islanders around the world. These projects are currently organized around two main themes: community projects and next generation leaders. PacSoc’s community projects center on nine issue areas, including charity, conservation, democracy, disaster relief, education, equality, health, innovation, and sustainability. PacSoc’s next generation leader projects support artists, athletes, chefs, incubators, musicians, policymakers, storytellers, and technologists.