Panaghiusa sa mga Kabatan-onan alang sa Kalambuan 2018

Project title:  Kabatanonan alang sa Kalambuan 2018

Sub-Title:      IP-Moro Youth Summit

Participants: 40 Indigenous Peoples Youth

                        40 Moro Youths

Date:              August 24-26 2018

Venue:            Taipan Hotel Valencia City

Grantee:         Federation of Tribal Youth Council

National Agency:  National Commission for Culture and the Arts

 

 

Report about Kabatanonan alang sa Kalambuan 2018 Project

This report examines the Kabatanonan alang sa Kalambuan 2018 initiative—a youth empowerment and peace-building program in Mindanao—and outlines its relevance to a potential 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. By fostering intercultural 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.