COTABATO CITY – Unprecedented in the history of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM), the Coordinating and Development Office on Bangsamoro Youth Affairs (CDO-BYA) will conduct a youth gathering dubbed as Bangsamoro Youth Hope Conference from June 2 to 4 in Cotabato City.

“It is a joint project of ARMM government and Gawad Kalinga Community Development Foundation Inc.,” said Tom del Monte, executive director of CDO-BYA.

Gawad Kalinga is a nongovernmental movement that aims at eradicating poverty and restore human dignity among the poor. It is currently active in over 2,000 communities nationwide and has been recognized as 2006 Ramon Magsaysay Awardee and 2012 Skoll Awardee for Social Entrepreneurship.

The three-day conference gathers active Moro youth from ARMM and nearby provinces to equip them with knowledge in nation-building, poverty eradication, and contribution to peace and development in Mindanao.

“The Bangsamoro youth also plays a vital role in nation-building so their participation in activities like this is important,” added del Monte. At least 300 participants are expected from over 400 youth organizations, including out-of-school-youth groups, certified by CDO-BYA. (Bureau of Public Information)