COTABATO CITY (August 24, 2022)—The Bangsamoro Youth Commission (BYC) marked culmination of the International Youth Day 2022 celebration with the 3rd State of the Bangsamoro Youth Address (SOBYA) and launching of two programs of the youth.
Chairperson Marjanie Mimbantas Macasalong, PhD delivered the SOBYA on August 24 in Cotabato City, with hundreds of attendees, most of them the youth, to present the Commission’s successes and challenges, and the plans it will undertake in the near future.
Macasalong noted that youth play a crucial role as powerful force in making change in the Bangsamoro region’s social landscape by developing their capacities in their endeavors and advocacies, and providing them with opportunities that maximizes their potentials.
“We say the youth is a powerful force in our society. They are the change-makers, the idealists, and the dreamers for a better nation and future for all; they challenge the status quo and confront problems with courage and intellect,” he said.
Macasalong said with the efforts of the Bangsamoro Government, development partners, and the BYC, youth’s meaningful participation will be ensured by developing and devising activities that will equip them to face future challenges.
“Our youth are the next brood of figureheads in the Bangsamoro. It will be their voices that will echo in the future,” Macasalong said.
On the same day, BYC has launched the Positive Peace Project (3Peace) (read full story here) and opened the applications for the Bangsamoro Youth Parliament (BYP) 2022 (read full story here).
The week-long celebration was marked by several activities conducted by the Commission and its commissioners’ offices.
Among these activities include the Lingkod Kabataang Bangsamoro, Adolescent and Youth Policy Consultation with UNICEF, Social Media Education and Training on Journalism and Photography, 1st Youth Leadership Conference, Youth Accredited Organizations and Beyond 2025, and en-banc first regular session.
The observance of IYD provides an opportunity to celebrate and mainstream young people’s voices and efforts.
The IYD 2022 theme, “Intergenerational solidarity: Creating a World for All Ages,” aims to amplify the message that action is needed across all generations to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals and leave no one behind. The IYD also raises awareness on certain barriers to intergenerational solidarity, notably ageism, which impacts young and old persons, while having detrimental effects on society as a whole. (BYC PR Unit/AAA)
Read the full text of 3rd SOBYA here.
