COTABATO CITY – More than a thousand youth leaders in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) are expected to join in a region-wide caravan this month meant to promote youth empowerment and advance their involvement on various social issues.
The youth caravan, which carries the theme “Kabataan, Now Na”, is organized by the Health Organization of Mindanao (HOM) in partnership with the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF). The ARMM government is supporting the activity through its different regional line agencies.
According to HOM, the caravan “aims to reach 10,000 adolescent and youth (both in-school and out-of-school) through fun and creative exercise” that will help participants “have a common understating on social issues, create a common voice in co-owning their role today, and contribute to a bigger vision of creating a better society for all.”
The schedule of the youth caravan is as follows:
· Lamitan, Basilan – June 10, 2015
· Jolo, Sulu – June 12
· Bonggao, Tawi-Tawi – June 14
· Marawi, Lanao Del Sur – June 16
· Buluan, Maguindanao – June 18
It will feature various interactive and educational booths. Participating government agencies will impart respective advocacies centered on youth development through interactive discussions, distribution of information and education campaign (IEC) materials and scholarship grants.
The caravan will also mark the culmination of the first phase of the Creating Connection Project supported by UNICEF.
HOM Executive Director Selahuddin Yu Hashim said the caravan will encourage youths to develop a positive change in their outlook and empower them with sound and life-changing principles.
“It is imperative that our youth be equipped with essential, timely and accurate information about their role as responsible citizen of the country or simply as valuable peace builder, leader, and humanitarian, actor in their own ways,” he said. (Bureau of Public Information)
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