Vanuatu’s Willy Missack is passionate about building resilience throughout his island nation.
By Michelle Curran
Strategic Communications, Pasifika TV
With his home country ranked by the World Risk Report as the world’s most at-risk country to natural disasters and extreme weather events, Vanuatu’s Willy Missack is passionate about building resilience throughout his island nation.
The Young Pacific Leaders (YPL) alumnus is currently a PhD candidate at from Te Herenga Waka – Victoria University of Wellington, where he is completing studies on nature-based solutions for climate adaptation and wellbeing.
While studying, he works as the Loss and Damage Project Manager at the Department of Climate Change of Vanuatu.
He is also the Executive Director of Learn to Serve Vanuatu, a community-based youth organization, working on an ecosystem restoration and sustainable land management project, as well as water, sanitation, hygiene and climate justice projects.
In 2015, Willy was awarded as one of the first ever Queen Young Leaders from Her Majesty Elizabeth II for the work he does in the communities at Tanna, his home island, ensuring residents have access to clean drinking water.
Willy first took part in YPL, the United States Government’s signature initiative to strengthen leadership and networking in the Pacific, at a Hawai’i-based workshop, in YEAR.
This year, from September 13-30, he will join 11 of his YPL peers from around the Pacific to take part in the YPL Alumni Roadshow, to engage on multilateral policy discussions and engagements to bolster connections and relationships between the United States and other Pacific countries.
The talanoa is aimed towards creating a safer, stronger, and more prosperous Pacific region.
With stops in New York City, Washington DC, Salt Lake City, and Los Angeles, the YPL 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 YPL cohort has also been participating in a virtual leadership program ahead of the Roadshow, looking at collaboration, advocacy, and raising awareness of the Pacific region.
Willy is looking forward to engaging with various stakeholders in the US, about disaster resilience and cultural preservation.
Visit the Young Pacific Leaders website for more details on the US Department of State initiative.
