COTABATO CITY (Dec. 18, 2023) — The Bangsamoro Youth Commission (BYC) and the United Nation’s Development Programme (UNDP) launched the pilot testing phase for Bangsamoro Youth Volunteers Program on Friday, December 15, in a bid to address the evolving needs of the youth and contribute comprehensively to regional development.
The initiative adopts a multifaceted approach, engaging youth from diverse backgrounds, including civil society representatives, community-based organizations, out-of-school and unemployed youth, former combatants, children of former combatants, and members of youth-based faith groups.
The activity initiated a pilot program engaging 50 youth volunteers across different tracks to foster collaboration and knowledge exchange among youth participants, enhancing their collective capacity for impactful contributions to community development, governance, and climate change initiatives.
BYC Commissioner Nasserudin Dunding emphasized the importance of volunteerism. He highlighted that volunteer efforts played a crucial role in the establishment of the BARMM government.
“Ang usaping volunteerism ay ito yung ideya na ayaw nating mawala sa puso’t isipan ng ating mga kabataang Bangsamoro. Hindi nangangahulugang may Bangsamoro na tayo ay hindi na natin kailangan ang mga Bangsamoro na magkukusang ilapit ang kanilang mga sarili sa proseso ng kapayapaan. Lagi nating hanapin ang ating mga sarili sa proseso,” he said.
The BYVP unfolds across three distinct tracks, each tailored to address specific aspects of community development:
Track 1 – Disaster Prevention/Preparedness and Response:
Youth volunteers will actively participate in initiatives aimed at preventing, preparing for, and responding to natural and human-induced disasters. Collaborating closely with local communities, they will play a crucial role in bolstering resilience.
Track 2 – Public Policy and Governance:
Deployed within various ministries, offices, agencies, and local government units, youth volunteers under this track will assist in establishing and enhancing policies, programs, and systems for responsive, inclusive, transparent, and accountable governance.
Track 3 – Community Organizing and Development:
Volunteers in this track will contribute to civil society and community-based organizations, actively participating in programs related to community development, covering areas such as education, health, livelihood, and cultural heritage projects.
BYVP is strategically designed to engage youth and channel their energies toward active participation, the BYVP aligns with the global Youth, Peace, and Security (YPS) agenda. It’s intersectionality with the YPS agenda lies in its multidimensional approach to youth engagement. Recognizing the unique vulnerabilities of youth to radicalization and violence, the program aims to harness their potential as positive agents of change.
The pilot testing of the BYVP commenced on the launching day of the Bangsamoro Action Plan on Youth and Security for 2023-2028 (BAP-YPS). (BYC PR Unit/AAA)
