SPARK! Philippines and U.S. Embassy in the Philippines are partnering for #YouthLEADING or Youth Leaders for Equitable Actions for Diverse and Inclusive Next Generation, an initiative which will be participated by Sangguniang Kabataan from their partner Local Government Units in 4 areas in the Philippines namely Quezon City, Tagbilaran City, Municipality of La Libertad, and the Municipality of Dumalinao.
#YouthLEADING is a sustainable initiative that combines capacity building in the form of leadership academy and public awareness campaign to advance diversity, inclusion and equity in the Philippines.
#YouthLEADING has two approaches. First, a 3-day comprehensive capacity development camp wherein the participants will have an extensive discussion on gender and development, gender sensitivity and responsiveness, SOGIESC, gender mainstreaming strategies, intersectional feminism, queer theory, project management, and mental health and emotional well-being. To apply the knowledge they have gained, they will need to present a proposal of an advocacy campaign project at the end of the camp. Second, participants will need to launch their advocacy campaign projects in their respective communities with the guidance of the partner local government units, SPARK and academy mentors.
The long term vision of the #YouthLEADING initiative is to become a model to be replicated in, and implemented by local governments, and perhaps become an integral part of the national development plan of National Government Agency with the help of Civil Society Organizations.
SPARK! Philippines and U.S. Embassy in the Philippines firmly believe that the youth as the next generation of leaders must commit themselves to improving their communities through specifying the root causes of the communities, gearing actions towards better legislations, and strengthening youth empowerment and participation in public service and local governance.
Currently, SPARK! and the U.S. Embassy in the Philippines successfully held the first leg of the training in Tagbilaran City, Bohol last December 9-12, 2021 in partnership with Tagbilaran City Government and Tagbilaran Youth Development Office. The second leg will be in Quezon City on March 3-6, 2022 in partnership with Quezon City Government and QC Youth Development Office. The dates for the third and fourth leg will be around April.
To know how to join and the deadline of applications for the academy, kindly follow SPARK! Philippines on their social media pages.