MANILA, Philippines - As part of its thrust to develop a new generation of young Filipino leaders, the Ateneo de Manila University-School of Government (ASOG), in cooperation with the Kaya Natin! Movement for Good Governance and Ethical Leadership and the Office of Senator Francis "Kiko" Pangilinan, will hold the 1st Youth Leaders Summit for Good Governance on April 19-21, at the Ateneo campus in Quezon City.
Given that the next election is just a year away, the conference seeks to encourage and develop the leadership skills of college student leaders from Metro Manila and nearby provinces. It also aims to help young leaders develop innovative projects and programs that would encourage their fellow youth to register and take part in the upcoming national and local elections.
"We don't want to just provide talks and trainings to our youth leaders, we want to equip them with the necessary skills, encouragement and support that will allow them to plan and implement projects in their schools and communities," says Myra de Leon, one of the event organizers.
The event also seeks to establish a network of proactive youth leaders who can help create mechanisms towards helping ensure transparency and accountability in their respective local government units.
"The youth sector in our country currently comprise more than 40 percent of the population thus, they can be a major source of positive change if they are only given the right opportunities to engage our government officials and institutions" adds de Leon.
The event expects to bring together knowledgeable speakers such as ASOG Dean Tony La Viña, Kaya Natin! champions and Ramon Magsaysay for Government Service awardees DILG Sec. Jesse Robredo and former Isabela Gov. Grace Padaca, former Pampanga Gov. Among Ed Panlilio, presidential adviser for Environmental Protection Sec. Neric Acosta, former San Isidro, Nueva Ecija Mayor Sonia Lorenzo, Quezon City Rep. Bolet Banal, House Deputy Speaker Rep. Erin Tañada III, QC Vice Mayor Joy Belmonte, Cabiao, Nueva Ecija Mayor Baby Crespo-Congco, former San Fernando City, La Union Mayor Mary Jane Ortega, Tagudin, Ilocos Sur Mayor Roque Verzosa Jr., Brgy. Loyola Heights, Quezon City Capt. Caesar Marquez, among others.
Kaya Natin! lead convenor and ASOG Leadership and Social Entrepreneurship director Harvey Keh said that that in the past decades, one of the major problems that our country has been facing is the raging graft and corruption in government institutions. Due to this, the economic growth of our country has moved at a snail's pace compared to our other Asian neighbors. Poverty also continues to be a major issue given.
"Next year, our country will again be voting for a new set of local and national government officials thus, it is imperative that we are able to ensure that the Filipino youth, which comprise majority of our voting population, are well educated and well informed so that they would be able to elect effective, ethical and empowering government leaders," said Keh.
Effective, ethical, and empowering leaders battle corruption and frown upon abusive practices, while training future Filipino leaders to do what is right and just. They espouse people participation by allowing their constituents to take part in governance and make the people true stakeholders of their community's growth and development.
"If we are able to elect the right leaders who will practice good governance, then our country will be able to finally conquer poverty and move forward economically at a much faster pace," emphasized Keh.
Pre-registration is required. If you would like to participate in the 1st Youth Leaders Summit for Good Governance or volunteer and help in organizing the activity, you may contact Shylynne Castillo at 990-3282 or kindly send an email to ateneoylse@gmail.com.
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