The 2026 Guam Youth Summit has brought together 80 high school students from across the island to examine public policy issues and community concerns affecting Guam, make recommendations for policies to address the issues and help students understand their roles as young citizens in shaping public policy.
The four-day submit began on Oct. 6, teaching students about the structure of local government through policy proposal writing.
"The summit will allow students to engage in and learn about the legislative process, to include the role of legislative committees, the process of selecting chairpersons, and the importance of conducting research on policy issues affecting the community," the Guam Department of Education said.
According to Close Up Foundation the event put students to work in one of six research committees - education, environment, energy and natural resources, government and ethics, health, labor and the economy and public services and infrastructure.
In the committees, students engage with a panel of experts to guide their policy proposals.
GDOE said the policy recommendation will be presented to representative of the legislature and students will engage in discussions about the proposals.
The summit held at the Hilton Guam Resort and Spa is funded through a grant from the U.S. Department of Interior, Office of Insular Affairs. Close Up is a nonprofit civic education organization that informs, inspires, and empowers young people to become active citizens.
"Our goal is to connect what students learn in class to the real world around them and help them articulate their own views, listen to those of others, and engage with people of different backgrounds with tolerance and understanding," the Close Up Foundation said.