Youth volunteers from various organizations across the region participated the first ever Bangsamoro Youth Volunteers Summit dubbed “Lifehacks: Volunteer, Inspire, and Influence,” on September 28-29 at Shariff Kabunsuan Cultural Center, Cotabato City.
The two-day activity aims to promote the notion of selfless acts towards civic engagement initiatives by recognizing primarily the outstanding youth volunteer’s experiences. It also inspires to create a safe space for the youth to share their ideas in devising solutions in corresponds with the challenges in the Bangsamoro.
Emphasizing youth participation, Ms. Setti Ivy Ampatuan, Member TWG-BYTPA, explained the Bangsamoro Youth Transition Priority Agenda which highlighted the outcome statements for the five priority center agenda.
Meanwhile, Jofel Delicana, UNDP Technical Consultant, discussed the Bangsamoro Youth Volunteers Program and Regional Action Plan on Youth Peace and Security which aimed at creating a safe environment to capture conflict-sensitive and grounded YPS agenda, and to foster understanding on local youth context anchored to national and international policies.
Moreover, Commissioner Nasserudin Dunding elucidated youth volunteerism in the context of BARMM emphasizing its significance in establishing law and policies affecting youth.
The participants were also immersed with various workshops and activities bringing ideas and initiatives to strengthen youth participation.
One of the highlights of the said activity was PEP Talk which gathered distinguished youth champions to discuss their relevant experiences anchored with the Commission’s BYTPA.
BYC, being the primary policy-making and coordinating body of the BARMM Government in all matters affecting youth, concluded its activity as the Commission’s Chairperson MP Marjanie S. M. Mimbantas inspired youth to strengthen and continue their volunteerism as it was also the foundation of the Bangsamoro struggle.
“The BARMM Government started through volunteerism, our leaders did not expect anything in return, they just worked sincerely purifying their intentions. If we are to do the same surely we will achieve more. The Commission is committed to provide you mechanisms to further capacitate yourselves in order to prepare for our future endeavors,” Macasalong said.
