Thursday, June 6, 2019
IP MORO YOUTH CONFERENCE - AUGST 24-26 2019
This report examines the Kabatanonan alang sa
Kalambuan 2018 initiative—a youth empowerment and peace-building program in
Mindanao—and outlines its relevance to National Commission for Culture and the Arts.
By analyzing the project’s objectives, methods, and outcomes, this report
demonstrates how its core elements align with NCCA’s mission to safeguard children’s
rights, promote inclusive development, and nurture resilient communities.
1. Overview of Kabatanonan alang sa Kalambuan 2018
Kabatanonan alang sa Kalambuan 2018 (Youth for
Progress 2018) was designed to foster unity, leadership, and peace among
indigenous peoples (IP) and Moro youths in Mindanao. Originating from a rich
cultural context—with beneficiaries drawn from diverse tribes such as the
Kirenteken, Donggoanon, Talaandig, Pulangihon, Ilantongon, Higaonon, and
Manobo—the project brought together youth from historically conflicted
communities. Through a series of activities including friendship exchanges,
interactive rating exercises on community closeness, ritual covenants, cultural
performances, and reflective sessions, the initiative aimed to bridge divides
and empower participants to become future leaders in peace and development.
2. Core Objectives and Activities
The project
was built upon several key objectives:
- Cultural and Historical Awareness: Participants learned about ancestral figures like Apo Mamalo and
Apo Tabunaway, as well as the importance of customary laws and traditions.
- Perception and Dialogue: Activities encouraged participants to assess their present
conditions, explore the roots of intergroup tension, and brainstorm
solutions to restore brotherhood.
- Leadership Development: Through identifying and engaging youth leaders from both IP and
Moro communities, the initiative fostered leadership skills vital for
community transformation.
- Peace-building: Emphasizing that war is not a solution, the project actively
promoted dialogue, mutual respect, and reconciliation.
- Community Integration: Structured activities—such as mixed “list of friends” exchanges
and cultural nights—facilitated inter-cultural understanding and
trust-building.
These elements
were practically implemented over a multi-day event that included structured
discussions, rituals, and celebratory cultural showcases.
3. Alignment of Mandates
Core
priorities include the protection of children’s rights, youth empowerment,
education, and the fostering of peaceful, inclusive communities. Kabatanonan
alang sa Kalambuan 2018 aligns with these priorities in several critical ways:
Youth Empowerment and Leadership
- Capacity Building: By equipping participants with leadership skills and knowledge
about their cultural heritage, the project reinforces emphasis on
empowering young people to be agents of change in their communities.
- Voice and Participation: The initiative created safe spaces for youths to articulate their
thoughts, dreams, and concerns, resonating with UNICEF’s commitment to
ensuring that young people have a voice in decisions affecting their
lives.
Peace-building and Conflict Resolution
- Intergroup Dialogue: The project actively addressed historical grievances and fostered
inter-cultural dialogue between IP and Moro youths. This approach is
central to conflict-affected areas, where building trust and
reconciliation is paramount.
- Cultural Integration: By celebrating diverse cultural practices and promoting mutual
understanding, the initiative contributes to a framework for peaceful
coexistence—a key element and strategy to reduce violence and promote
stability.
Community Resilience and Inclusive Development
- Grassroots Engagement: The participatory methods used in Kabatanonan alang sa Kalambuan
2018 serve as a model for community-led development. Such grassroots
engagement is critical to programs that are responsive to local needs.
- Holistic Approach: The project’s integration of cultural, social, and educational
components aligns with multisectoral approach to child and youth
development, ensuring that interventions are both culturally sensitive and
broadly impactful.
4. The insights and experiences gained from
Kabatanonan alang sa Kalambuan 2018 can help:
Program Design and Scaling: The project’s
methodology—emphasizing dialogue, cultural exchange, and participatory
leadership development—can serve as a blueprint for scaling similar initiatives
across conflict-affected or marginalized regions.
- Best Practices in Peace-building: Lessons learned from facilitating intergroup interactions and
managing sensitive discussions can help shape peace-building among youth,
ensuring that programs are both effective and respectful of cultural
differences.
- Community Engagement Frameworks: The initiative’s success in mobilizing local youth leaders and
integrating traditional practices into modern development discourse offers
valuable insights for creating sustainable, community-driven programs .
- Policy Recommendations: The project provides a case study on how culturally grounded,
youth-focused interventions can contribute to broader peace and
development objectives. Such evidence can inform policy recommendations
and strategic planning within NCCA and partner organizations.
5. Conclusion
Kabatanonan alang
sa Kalambuan 2018 embodies a comprehensive approach to youth empowerment,
cultural preservation, and peace-building—all of which are central to NCCA’s .
By fostering inter-cultural dialogue, nurturing leadership, and engaging
communities in sustainable development, the initiative offers practical
insights and proven methodologies that can enrich the NCCA. Embracing the
lessons from this project can lead to the design of more effective, culturally
responsive programs that empower youth and build resilient communities in
regions facing conflict and marginalization.
This report
demonstrates that the principles and practices of Kabatanonan alang sa
Kalambuan 2018 are not only relevant but also highly instructive for youth
empowerment and peace-building initiatives.
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