14 December 2015, Geneva – “The youth are our partners in community resilience efforts.”
This is what the Philippine Government stressed at the 32nd International Conference (32nd IC) of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies last 08 December in a side event on “Youth Engagement for a Better World.”
“A milestone has been achieved this year with the transformative role of the youth reflected in the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and this reflects that we should consider the youth as our partners. As partners, we should involve them and include their views in DRR activities and community resilience activities,” said Ambassador Cecilia B. Rebong, Permanent Representative of the Philippines to the United Nations and Other International Organizations in Geneva, in her remarks during the high-level side event.
Ambassador Rebong stressed the important role of the youth in community resilience by illustrating how youth engagement is ensured in Philippine laws and regulations. She said that the Philippine Constitution echoes youth engagement in community affairs. The youth are likewise provided the opportunity to enhance their leadership potentials through the Sangguniang Kabataan (SK), demonstrating that the Government recognizes the importance of youth engagement in local governance and community development.
The Ambassador also recognized the Red Cross Youth of the Philippine Red Cross that provides constructive programs and opportunities for directing and harnessing the youth’s energies into worthwhile humanitarian activities.
The side event, organized as a part of the Youth Engagement Segment of the Statutory meetings and the 32nd IC, aimed to elevate the importance of youth engagement as strategic and fundamental to strengthening resilience of local communities.
Members of the high-level panel who also echoed the importance of youth in community resilience included IFRC President Tadateru Konoé, ICRC Vice President Christine Beerli. United Nations Volunteers (UNV) Executive Coordinator Richard Dictus, and Ms. Ashanta Osborne-Moses, IFRC Youth Commission Chair and host of the event.
During the event, the Philippines joined the IFRC and many Governments and National Societies and stakeholders in the Pledge on “Youth Engagement for a Better World”, committing themselves to ensure that youth engagement is present in the collective and strategic strengthening of community resilience. END