Assistant Secretary Cantor Highlights Funding to Support Civic Education Opportunities for Students in U.S. Territories and Freely Associated States

WASHINGTON – Assistant Secretary for Insular and International Affairs Carmen G. Cantor today met with high school students from the 2024 Insular Area Close Up Program, a program funded by the Office of Insular Affairs that provides meaningful civic education opportunities for students from the U.S. Territories and Freely Associated States.

In April 2024, the Office of Insular Affairs awarded $1 million through its Technical Assistance Program to the Close Up Foundation. The funding helps provide opportunities for students and educators from the Insular Areas to learn more about American democratic processes through

visits and meetings with government leaders in the executive and legislative branches as well as the diplomatic corps. The students also visit historical sites such as Williamsburg and Philadelphia.

“This program supports experiential learning opportunities about our democratic, governmental institutions and we are honored to support these programs for youth from the Insular Areas,” said Carmen G. Cantor, Assistant Secretary for Insular and International Affairs. “The Interior Department is committed to inspiring the next generation of civic leaders and stewards of our lands and waters so that our precious spaces can be preserved for future generations.”

During the visit, Assistant Secretary Cantor discussed the important role that Interior plays 
vis-à-vis the territories and highlighted the various types of funding assistance provided through the Office of Insular Affairs including new funding under the newly renegotiated Compacts of Free Association.

Assistant Secretary Cantor also shared information about the work of the Office of International Affairs and the technical assistance provided to other countries in conservation and natural resources. She also discussed the work of the Ocean Program at Interior, their interagency work on developing an Ocean Policy and protecting coral reef natural resources.

Funded through the Office of Insular Affairs Technical Assistance Program since 1987, the Close Up Insular Areas Program provides civic education opportunities for students and educators from the Insular Areas, and includes travel to the nation’s capital where students meet with government leaders in the executive and legislative branches as well as the diplomatic corps. Recently funded for fiscal year 2024 activities, the Close Up Insular Areas Program has inspired many island leaders and continues to be supported every year by the U.S. Congress.

The Assistant Secretary for Insular and International Affairs and the Office of Insular Affairs (OIA) carry out the Secretary of the Interior’s responsibilities for the U.S. territories of American Samoa, Guam, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Additionally, OIA administers and oversees federal assistance under the Compacts of Free Association to the Federated States of Micronesia, the Republic of the Marshall Islands, and the Republic of Palau. The OIA also administers a discretionary Technical Assistance Program for all the Insular Areas. Find information about OIA and its work on www.doi.gov/oia, Facebook, X, and YouTube.

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