Graduate students from the University of Guam are taking civic education beyond the classroom. Their conference, “Strengthening Democracy: Civic Engagement in Guam and the Pacific”, brought together voices from across the island to talk about the power of participation and informed leadership.

With the 2026 elections on the horizon, UOG's public administration students are challenging the community to think deeper about civic participation – and the power of informed voices in shaping Guam’s future. Graduate students in UOG's public budgeting course hosted the one-day conference. Their goal: to explore how civic engagement and effective public policy can drive real, tangible progress – not only for Guam, but for the wider Pacific Region.

The event’s themes centered on the relationship between traditional governance and modern democracy, ways to integrate indigenous leadership and customs in those processes, and how media and technology are reshaping civic participation in a digital age.

professor Dr. Ronald Mcninch-Su, delivered the opening remarks, saying civic engagement has always been at the heart of the School of Business and Public Administration – where the goal is to prepare students to make positive contributions to the island. And Dr. Judith Guthertz, who leads the graduate course, says national changes – even from thousands of miles away – ripple through Guam’s economy and public services.

“We are seeing changes nationally that affect our revenue stream in certain areas of great need in our community," said Guthertz. “And that’s one reason why we have our PA 525-Public Budgeting class at the graduate level – to help our future leaders in public administration who will take positions of significance in public service.”

Those shifts affect everything from public health to education and social services. Guthertz says understanding these pressures – and finding as many local solutions as possible – is key to preparing the next generation of public leaders.

Among those future leaders is Kiana Joy Yabut, executive assistant to the Guam Visitors Bureau’s president and CEO – and one of the conference’s youth panelists. She believes strengthening democracy means getting more people – young and old – informed, active in their community, and to the polls.

“So, read the news, read the comments, read across sources," she advised. "If it makes you feel some type of way, if it makes you mad, good! That means you’re passionate about something. If it makes you sad, good! That means you have empathy for that cause. And then, once you find whatever makes you feel some type of way… then you can go and find groups that are already advocating for that cause or are already doing the work, and you join them. That’s how you build a movement.”

She says in the age of social media, users and creators alike share a responsibility to ensure information is accurate and constructive. And as Guam approaches another election year, she says inclusion must go beyond symbolism.

“It’s not uncommon for a youth member to have a seat at the table and then not be given any food to eat and not be able to take part in the conversations that are happening or to even be taken seriously," Yabut added. "So I think if candidates want to engage with the youth they have to show them that they care.”

For these students like Yabut, strengthening democracy means taking participation personally — not just talking about change, but living it.