Mahoney Mori is dedicated to seeing youth in the Pacific region not only thrive but take the lead in development.
By Michelle Curran
Strategic Communications, Pasifika TV
Hailing from the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM), Young Pacific Leaders (YPL) alumnus Mahoney Mori is dedicated to seeing youth in the region not only thrive but take the lead in development.
As President of the Chuuk Youth Council and the first Micronesian Chair of the Pacific Youth Council, Mahoney sees his current life purpose as advocating for human rights and uplifting youth, as well as social justice at all levels.
“I’m dedicated to amplifying youth voices, promoting capacity-building opportunities and advocating for an all-inclusive space in national and regional policy development spaces,” Mahoney says.
“I want to see spaces where the input of our young people is guaranteed, heard and integrated into development priorities,” Mahoney says.
With expertise in policy development and advocacy, Mahoney has worked with international agencies, including UNICEF, UNDP, IOM, OXFAM and Transparency International.
The youth advocate first attended a YPL program in 2019, in the United States, looking at economic and social development.
“I was honored to have met with successful young entrepreneurs who were creative and had the courage to take risks in pursuing their dreams,” Mahoney says.
“It was an amazing experience having to listen to their stories about how they overcame their challenges in their personal journeys, and they also shared wisdoms.
“I was able to broaden my network of young professionals not just in my area of work but also in different fields, which was enriching because I was exposed to a very diversely dynamic group with different perspectives on life, worldview and various other issues and topics.”
Mahoney’s journey with YPL will continue this month, when he joins a 12-strong cohort from around the Pacific to take part in the YPL Alumni Roadshow in the US, from September 13-30, 2025.
The Roadshow includes stops in New York City, Washington DC, Salt Lake City, and Los Angeles, where the YPL alumni will engage on multilateral policy discussions and engagements to bolster connections and relationships between the United States and other Pacific countries, to contribute to a safer, stronger, and more prosperous Pacific region.
Mahoney and the rest of the cohort will meet with existing and potential stakeholders, to expand its network, and create new opportunities for the US through YPL and Pacific stakeholders in the region.
The FSM representative is anticipating interesting talanoa about his focus areas of uplifting youth, cultural preservation, and disaster resilience.
The cohort has also been participating in a virtual leadership program, looking at collaboration, advocacy, and raising awareness of the Pacific region ahead of the Roadshow.
Visit the Young Pacific Leaders website for more details on the US Department of State initiative.
