DAVAO CITY (August 22, 2023) – Youth leaders from across the region attended an orientation on Bangsamoro Youth Volunteers Program (BYVP), on August 16, in Davao City highlighting the initiative’s pursuit to instill among the youth the significance of meaningful and active participation in community development and nation-building.
Bangsamoro Youth Commission (BYC) Youth Development Officer Settie Ivy Ampatuan discussed the BYVP, emphasizing the need to equip youth with essential knowledge and skills to actively contribute to the advancement and transformation of their communities.
Remarkably, the program helps in ensuring the active engagement and empowerment of Bangsamoro youth to undertake peaceful struggle to build community resilience, moral governance, peace, and development, as envisioned in the Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL).
It enables solidarity and empowerment of youth from the tri-people groups through capacity-building on essential life skills such as self-awareness and empathy, communication, problem solving, critical thinking, collaboration, and leadership.
Moreover, it engages youth from diverse backgrounds: youth representing civil society and community-based organizations, out-of-school youth, unemployed youth, youth who are former combatants or who are children of former combatants, and youth members of faith-based groups, among others.
BYVP will integrate a component on building the capacities of the BYC in terms of developing and utilizing data solutions to support evidence-based policy and program advocacy for youth empowerment in BARMM.
It unfolds two distinct tracks: the first caters to participants of the Youth Reintegration Program (YRP), focusing on the modules of the School of Peace and Democracy. The YRP participants will engage in comprehensive learning, drawing from the expertise offered by these modules.
The second track is designed for Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) officials across the region. This track will delve into SK’s mandatory training and significant codes specific to the Bangsamoro context. By tailoring the program to the unique needs and roles of SK officials, the BYVP aims to fortify their leadership capabilities and enhance their contributions to community progress.
The initiative also serves as critical support for the Regional Action Plan on Youth, Peace, and Security, particularly in providing avenues for youth affected by violent conflicts and violent extremism.
Upon completion of their training and learning sessions, these young individuals will transition into youth volunteers, ready to apply their acquired knowledge and skills for the betterment of their communities.
The development of BYVP received funding from the UK Government, through the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). (BYC PR Unit/AAA)
