“BK’s Advocacy towards POLITICAL CHANGE”
The day was so bright, so I expected that it will end beautiful too with all the presence of the Cibac Scholars and invited participants. This day will be very great I know because this will be the start of the Bangon kabataan in their strive for a change. I believe that there will be a transformation today, renewing not just the feelings, not just the behaviour, not just the circumstances but the minds of the participants.
Today is YouthVOTe Orientation and Voters’ Education Campaign. YouthVOte Philippines or YVOTE is a consolidated force of progressive, reform-minded youth groups and organizations working toward voters’ education and empowerment. What YouthVotePhilippines does is give Filipinos young and old the tools to make educated votes that each voter can stand for. And it is very timely to involve in this kind of activity since the Bagong Kabataan was also planning to conduct the same to their members and other partnered organization.
Around 54 youth leaders from General Santos City was oriented and put into short workshop. First activity was a Vision and Mission exercise. A question of What kind of nation they want by 2010 was raised. The two groups draw their vision. Both express how they wish to have a country that is corrupt-free, having leaders who are honest and dedicated for public service and a government that practice good governance. They are looking forward that if there will be a change of leadership by 2010, then by 2020, the Philippines will not be belong to Third World Country/ Underdeveloped nations anymore, but the Philippines that time will be belong to the Developed Countries. So what is their mission in achieving their vision? The participants felt their social responsibility in the coming election. AS YOUTH, they must exercise their right to vote. But still they can do it individually. They should encourage other young people the implication of voting. So another workshop was given. The human knot activity will foster camaraderie and teamwork towards the group. This activity will test how commited they are to their mission and vision. If they are serious to start the change then along with creating a change in their respective communities are the values that they have to instil within themselves. Their mission will put into waste if they don’t have the same values and teamwork. HONESTLY, FAITH IN GOD, LOVE, PATRIOTISM and RESPECT were the values that have strongly believed by the group that would be bridge towards CHANGE. In bringing voters’ education, voters’ agenda and voter’s registration to their respective schools and organizations, those values will be their guiding principles.
The group itself signified their full commitment to be a willing volunteer and A MEMBER OF YVOTE PHILIPPINES-GENSAN CHAPTER. Their will be a continued and separated skills-training for this group in order to equip them with knowledge, skills and attitudes as YVOTE members.
It is amazing how BAGONG KABATAAN members has a heart for our nation. It is indeed incredible having this kind of young people who is more than willing to give their time and share their talents to pro-active activities as this.
IKAW, AKO, TAYO ANG PAGBABAGO, the logo statement of the BAGONG KABATAAN is truly not just a mere declaration of the org’s advocacy but an advocacy IN ACTION. It is really true that our youth is the trustee of posterity.
The BAGONG KABATAAN is now partner of the YouthVOTE Philippines in educating and giving enough information to their fellow youth regarding the significance of voting. We are now part of the advocacy of providing tools to make educated votes that each voter can stand for, we will not tell you whom to vote but we aim to give you information so that YOU will know WHY you made certain choices. As responsible adults, we cannot make decisions lightly and then know why we did them. Everyone has the right to DISCERN for themselves who their leaders should be. YOUTH SHOULD BE ABLE TO MAKE THAT CHOICE. And the BAGONG KABATAAN will help YVOTE PHILIPPINES. so that whatever, and whomever you choose, you know that you can stand up for those choices.
MABUHAY ANG KABATAAN. MABUHAY ANG BAGONG KABATAAN.
