MAGUINDANAO— Various youth organizations across Lanao del Sur and Maguindanao provinces participated in the Youth Leadership Forum 2022, Monday, May 16, in Parang town. .
The activity was spearheaded by the Philippine Navy anchored on its 124th anniversary. It bears the theme: “Capacitating youth in community-building towards sustainable peace and development,” which aims to equip the youth with necessary knowledge on the current community issues and concerns.
Commissioner Nasserudin Dunding, MAPDS of the Bangsamoro Youth Commission (BYC) – Maguindanao, Cotabato City, and SGA, discussed the rights and responsibilities of the youth, which he highlighted the importance of the youth in engaging themselves in the process of governance.
Among the rights mentioned were the right to suffrage, freedom of speech, freedom of assembly, protection against cruel punishment, and right to bodily integrity, among others.
“As youth we have to move forward. We have to engage ourselves in the process. Hanapin natin ang ating sarili sa proseso. Bilang tayo ay binubuo ng malaking populasyon, malaki ang magagawa natin bilang kabataan,” Dunding said.
Urging youth participation, Commissioner Dunding emphasized the concept of participatory leadership as an approach to enable members of every youth organization to contribute in decision-making as it also serves to prevent rise of conflict and violence.
Meanwhile, Dunding also presented the disaggregated data of youth population provided by the PSA-BARMM and the commission’s future programs and activities to address various youth concerns.
In his remarks, Dunding reminded the youth to do their part in the new administration instead of igniting conflict due to differences of principles.
“Kaiba man ng pananaw ang bawat isa ay dapat na magkakasama pa rin tayo sa pagsulong sa anim na taong administrasyon ng ating bagong presidente. Gawin natin ang part natin para sa ikabubuti ng ating bansa, lalong-lalo na para sa ikabubuti ng ating rehiyon— ang Bangsamoro,” he said. (BYC PR Unit)
