Youth empowerment by enhancing leadership skills with emphasis on active citizenship and peace education

Concept The importance of youth in nation-building is recognized. Yet, this sector, especially in some areas of Mindanao, has not been given enough opportunities to maximize their capacity. The Filipino youth is an untapped resource for achieving a more developed country, and in this context, a peaceful Mindanao.

There is a need to train our youth, especially young leaders, as agents of change in Philippine society with respect to cultural diversity. Acknowledging this, there should be a series of activities that will inculcate the values of responsible and active citizenship among them as leaders of their generation.

In Southern Philippines, it is essential to unite the concepts of leadership with civic participation and peace education. The recent skirmishes in the provinces of Mindanao gave rise to further sowing the culture of chaos in the society. Thus, the project seeks to counter this by promoting the culture of non-violence among the youth of the tri-people of Mindanao.

With an opportunity of putting their capacities into practice and providing them additional strategies in youth empowerment – assimilated with leadership education emphasizing civic participation and promoting peace education, the young leaders of Mindanao will have a chance to take part in mapping out a roadwork to an improved Mindanao socially, economically and culturally. And, consequently, a better Philippines.

Objectives (a) provide participants with an understanding of important concepts such as volunteerism and civic engagement (b) develop their individual skills in leadership and enhance their knowledge on effective strategies for promoting volunteerism (c) sharpen the participants’ skills in designing concrete action plans; (d) set up program activities in civic participation, volunteerism, networking, and community leadership.

Stakeholders Student leaders Schools/universities

Young leaders Government offices/ business institutions

Outputs/Outcomes Proposed projects which are being implemented Commitment from school administrators Partnership with institutions, among others

Resources Utilized CCP-NSD fellows CCP-NSD program University/school administration ACCESS partners IVP

Future Plans/Proposals Strengthened and continued implementation of the program in other universities or institutions Linkages and partnership with other organizations with similar advocacies