Roundtable Discussion on EDSA People Power 25th Anniversary

UNYAP NCR Members and Officers headed by its President Kristine Lacbayo of DLSU-Manila joined the Round Table discussion dubbed as "25para25" last Wednesday, September 15, 2010 at the Far Eastern University (FEU Manila) from 5:00 PM to 7:30 PM.

25para25 is mounting a 25-week series of activities to commemorate the 25^th anniversary of EDSA1, on 25 February 2011. The countdown begins this week and will climax in the final 5 weeks (starting week of January 23-29, 2011) prior to the actual anniversary date. All activities aim to recall the stories and values of EDSA1 with the goal of making it an inspiration in the present hope and effort for change in Philippine society. The project also hopes to give birth to a people’s movement that will remember and live out the spirit and values of EDSA 1 beyond the anniversary.

25para25 was launched through a mass offering held at the chapel of Rockwell Power Plant last September 8, 2010. On week 2, it aims to engage the youth and student sector through a roundtable discussion entitled: “Kbtaan_2d @Ppl Pwr EDSA1@25”. Moderated and co-organized by Aksyon Kabataan, a socio-political organization focused on youth development and leadership, this activity endeavours to tap into the current mindset of today’s youth leaders and appreciate their understanding of People Power. The proceeding’s output , other than being a source of information for potential publication, will also be submitted to the compendium and library of various institutions that aim to understand People Power including People Power Commission and Pinoy Power Institute.

UNYAP PNU and GK Joins Stand Up, Take Action Campaign 2010

UNYAP Joins the National Crime Prevention Month

UNYAP and the National Police Commission (NAPOLCOM) in the Cordillera together with the various law enforcement organization and in coordination with the government line agencies, the private sector, the media and other stakeholders unite in the observance of the National Crime and Prevention Month (NCPM) this coming September.

The theme of this year's celebration is "Komunidad at Pulisya, Magkasama Tungo sa Pag-unlad ng Bayan with the slogan "Ako, Ikaw, Tayong Lahat Laban Sa Krimen.

This underscores the role of the police in harnessing community participation towards socioeconomic development with the end view of evoking awareness to the community that crime prevention is everybody's concern in the pursuance of lasting peace.

A series of forums at the barangay to inculcate at the grassroots level on how to defend themselves against lawless elements have been lined up during the month-long commemoration.

A simultaneous blowing of the whistle and a slogan contest among the students will highlight the kick-off parade on September 6 along the city's major thoroughfares.

Cordillera Police Regional Director, PC/Supt. Villamor A. Bumanglag said that the PNP is encouraging that all programs and activities will encourage all sectors of the society of their full cooperation with the law enforcements for a more efficient crime monitoring.

Every single individual has the duty and obligation to report any suspicious activities to proper authorities, we should be pro-active by informing the nearest police station or calling hotlines before a crime is committed, Bumanglag said.

The NCPM seeks to promote community involvement and cooperation in preventing and reducing criminalities as well as maintaining peace in the community, Bumanglag added.

The NCPM celebration is in pursuant to Presidential Proclamation No. 461 dated August 31, 1994 which declares September of every year during which all government agencies are enjoined to implement programs on crime prevention. (PIA) [top]

UNYAP! Lets Join the 2010 SUTA

For Inquiries:

Kristin Decima Pilar
Commissioner for MDG and IYD
Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Muntinlupa
+639056808115
dhecpilar07@yahoo.com

MANILA, Philippines — With almost a month left before the United Nations Millennium Development Goals (MDG) Review +10 Summit in New York, civil society organizations (CSOs) led by the United Nations Civil Society Advisory Committee (UN-CSAC), Caucus of Development NGO Networks (CODE-NGO) and Freedom from Debt Coalition (FDC) held a three-day consultation on August 2-4 with Philippine government officials, the UN and development partners to come up with strategies to fast-track the achievement of the MDGs.

Organized in partnership with the MDG Achievement Fund (MDG-F), United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the UN Millennium Campaign, the tri-sectoral conference aimed at providing an alternative roadmap for the country’s development through inputs to the Midterm Philippine Development Plan (MTPDP).

“With [President] Benigno Aquino’s mantle of leadership, the table is set and the doors have reopened for meaningful engagement of all sectors of society,” said Veronica Villavicencio, UN-CSAC member and Executive Director of the Peace and Equity Foundation, in her welcome remarks during the event. “We come together as interested parties and advocates in crafting the MTPDP 2011-2016 and collaborators to move financing for the MDGs in its final achievement stretch up to 2015.”

The CSO proposals were presented to the National Economic and Development Authority and other government agencies including the Department of Labor and Employment, Department of Agrarian Reform and the Department of Budget and Management; the UN Resident Coordinator Jacqueline Badcock; representatives of the Australian Agency for International Development, European Union and various UN donor and partner agencies.

Among the key recommendations were the expansion of the Conditional Cash Transfer program for the poorest of the poor, which should be clearly linked to job and livelihood generation, as well as asset reform programs to ensure sustainability, and increased and automatic appropriations for education, health and mass housing.

The recommendations also incorporated elements of the CSO Charter for accelerating MDG achievement which was drafted during the Asia-Pacific CSO consultation held on 1-2 August in Jakarta, Indonesia. The CSO Charter served as input for the Special Ministerial Meeting for the MDGs Review in Asia and the Pacific which was held last August 3-4 in Jakarta, showing that the Philippines is facing the same issues being confronted by the Region.

The CSO Charter include core messages pushing for the accelerated achievement of the MDGs through an MDG Breakthrough Plan, the MDG’s focus on the vulnerable such women and their children, indigenous peoples, and the socially excluded, and the importance a citizen-led monitoring accountability process to address accountability and transparency issues in the government.

Government agencies were asked to respond to the assessment and recommendations of the civil society sector.

According to Florencio “Butch” Abad, Secretary of the Department of Budget and Management, “We want the budget to benefit the poor in a substantial way.” Secretary Abad further emphasized the Department’s commitment to transparency, echoing the Aquino administration’s flagship goals of good governance, accountability and transparency while urging more active citizen monitoring and participation in the planning and budgeting process.

The results of the tripartite consultation will be the basis of the Alternative Roadmap for MDG Progress, which will be launched on September 13, 2010. The document will be turned over to the President to contribute to the development of the new MTPDP.

“It must be noted that MDGs are inter-related goals that cannot be fully achieved separately,” said Jacqueline Badcock, UN Resident Coordinator. “We may have to cram fifteen years of development efforts into five years. Still, I am confident that with all of us working together, the MDGs can still happen in this country.”

The MDGs are eight specific, concrete and time-bound goals that 189 world leaders committed to achieving by 2015. These goals are: 1) end extreme poverty and hunger; 2) achieve universal primary education; 3) promote gender equality and empower women; 4) reduce child mortality; 5) improve maternal health; 6) combat HIV/AIDS, malaria and other diseases; 7) ensure environmental sustainability; and 8) develop a global partnership for development.

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About the MDG Achievement Fund (MDG-F)
The MDG Achievement Fund supports innovative programs and policies at the country level for the replication and scaling up of models that should help accelerate the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals. For more information on the MDG-F, log on to http://www.mdgfund.org

About the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)
UNDP is the UN’s global development network, advocating for change and connecting countries to knowledge, experience and resources to help people build a better life. It is on the ground in 166 countries, working with them on their own solutions to global and national development challenges. As countries develop local capacity, they draw on the people of UNDP and its wide range of partners. For more information on UNDP, log on to http://www.undp.org

About the United Nations Millennium Campaign
The UN Millennium Campaign supports and inspires people from around the world to hold their governments to account for the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals. For more information on the Millennium Campaign and the Stand Up, Take Action Campaign, log on to http://www.asiapacific.endpoverty2015.org.

UNYAP Will Join the UN International Peace Day Celebration on September 21

For inquiries please contact:

Alexander Santos
UNYAP Commissioner for Peace and Human Rights Education
De La Salle University- Dasmarinas
+639064959175
alexander_jr14@yahoo.com

The UN-declared International Day of Peace and Nonviolence is at hand. We will be celebrating it on 21 September. It is a good day to educate and raise the awareness of young people on peace and armed conflict in the country. At the same time, the date marks the commemoration of the declaration of Martial Law and it is befitting to link the peace and nonviolence movement in the country with our historical sense of an authoritarian rule.

In line with this, Generation Peace Youth Network (GenPeace) with its partnership with UNDP-OPAPP-Conflict Prevention and Peacebuilding Programme, would like to invite you to take part in the Peace Day 2010 Celebration. By the way, GenPeace is a national youth network that promotes peace, encourages young people to be peace advocates and supports the peace process tracks of the Bangsamoro and Communist struggles. GenPeace convenes the preparatory committee for this year's celebration along with a host of civil society organizations, schools, youth clubs, religious groups and the local government of Quezon City.

Last year, we celebrated the Peace Day by installing a permanent Peace Wall collective art in QC Circle, a national effort of the youth to present their peace messages in a creative way. We sang “Mabuting Pilipino” of Noel Cabangon, long before it became a hit in the PNoy Inaguration. We remembered Martial Law, the armed conflicts, and celebrated the Eid’l Fitr with our fellow Muslims last year. In 2009, we also created a short documentary film on the youth success stories for peace, it was a fruitful and meaningful 2009 celebration indeed!

For this year, we will have a celebration with the theme "Sustaining the Youth's Engagement, Bridging the Peacebuilding Gaps," recognizing the different gaps (i.e. between youth and elder advocates, between apathetic and socially-active youth, etc.). We invite you and your organization to partake in the celebration on 21 September at the Peace Bell of the Quezon City Memorial Circle from 9:00AM to 1:00PM. We will have solidarity messages, exhibit booths, poetry reading, cultural presentations and musical renditions for peace. While snacks will be served, we also encourage you to bring some food to share with friends for our potluck "community" lunch. Please see the attached draft program and visit: http://genpeace.tk/ for Peace Day Celebration details.

We would like a broad and collaborative celebration with our community and we want you to take part as we remember a day of peace with the rest of the world. Kapayapaan sa ating lahat!

Sincerely,

(sgd)

Nikki Al Ben S. Delfin

GenPeace Secretariat

generationpeacenetwork@gmail.com

tel.024266122

mobile 09178660405

Generation Peace Youth Network

Peace Day 2010: Sustaining the Youth’s Engagement, Bridging the Peacebuilding Gaps

Quezon City Memorial Circle 9:00AM – 1:00PM, 21 September 2010

PROGRAM

I. Interfaith Prayers for Peace 9:00-9:10

- FEU (Christian, Muslim, Buddhist, etc. prayers)

- Peacemakers’ Circle

II. National Anthem 9:10-9:20

- Quezon City Orchestra

III. Overview of Peace Day 9:20-9:25

- Debbie Cabanag, GenPeace National Coordinator

IV. Opening Remarks

- Hon. Joy Belmonte, Vice Mayor of Quezon City 9:25-9:40

- USEC Luisito Montalbo, OPAPP 9:40-9:55

- Risa Hontiveros, GenPeace Elder 9:55-10:05

- Chito Gascon, GenPeace Elder* 10:05-10:15

V. Solidarity Messages

- Bakwits from Mindanao 10:15-10:17

- YMPN/Group Aid 10:17-10:19

- AMRSP – JPICC 10:19-10:21

VI. Performances Set 1:

- Quezon City Performing Arts* 10:21-10:40

- Poetry Reading from selected entries in “Pieces of Peace” 10:40-10:50

- PWU High School 10:50-10:55

VII. Solidarity Messages

- Peace Educators Network 10:55-10:57

- Representative from Local Government of Bukidnon

(Ernie Edralin) 10:57-11:00

Judge Aurora Navarette Reciana – UNAP President

VIII. Performances Set 2:

- Samba Club Miriam High School 11:00-11:15

- Stella Maris Choir 11:15-11:25

- SIKAP/INSA 11:25-11:30

IX. Solidarity Messages

- MSN/Balay 11:30-11:32

- Renauld Meyer, UNDP Country Representative * 11:32-11:35

- Akiko Abe, UNV Director*

X. Tribute to Peace Advocates 11:38-11:50

- (i.e. tribute to Mommy Jean, Bishop Claver, Ka Oca, etc.)

- Short tribute message from friends

- Song: “Walang Hanggang Paalam” by Joey Ayala performed by the Quezon City Orchestra

- Songs from the Quezon City Orchestra

XI. Performances Set 3:

- Music from Crazy As Pinoy and Noel Cabangon* 11:50-12:10

XII. Closing Ritual: Forming the Peace Sign 12:10-12:30

XIII. POTLUCK COMMUNITY LUNCH**

* To be confirmed

** Bring some food to share with your friends/organization for our potluck ‘community’ lunch.

***Free ice cream scoops and peace stamps will be available at the venue.

**** Exhibit booths from different advocacies: Installed all throughout the venue during the Peace Day celebration.

Message from Irina Bokova, Director-General of UNESCO on launching of the 2010 “UN International Year of the Youth"

Today marks the launch of the UN International Year of Youth centred on the theme of dialogue and mutual understanding. It has been 25 years – more than one generation – since the UN dedicated a special year to youth. A force of 1.2 billion between ages 15 and 24, young people have the energy and motivation to propose innovative solutions to today’s global challenges and the aspiration and tools to build bridges of dialogue across cultures.

This Year aims to raise awareness about young people’s contribution to society, to help them address the challenges they face and encourage them to participate in development initiatives, from community to global level.

We have to open more spaces and opportunities to nurture civic engagement and enable youth to participate in shaping their future. Five years away from the 2015 target date for achieving the Millennium Development Goals, it is more important than ever to encourage young people to dedicate themselves to achieving a more just and sustainable world.

Our goal is to harness the potential of youth as partners for development and peace. The UNESCO Youth Forum, held since 1999, is now an integral part of all sessions of the UNESCO General Conference, the Organization’s highest decisionmaking body. The Forum gives young people from all Member States the opportunity to learn about UNESCO’s programmes and be more actively engaged in tangible action in their respective countries. The 2011 UNESCO Youth Forum will provide space for all UN agencies and other partners to report on their activities

carried out during International Youth Year and chart a future course of action.

Public investment in youth provides lasting dividends for all society. The global economic and financial crisis has made the world more insecure for young people, especially for those from vulnerable or marginalized groups. Youth policies that promote equity and directly engage with young people must be strengthened.

Development assistance policies should be better geared to address youth’s needs and concerns.

UNESCO is committed to empowering youth and ensuring that their voices are heard. We are currently co-chairing the United Nations Interagency Network on Youth Development, which was formally set up in February 2010 at UNESCO Headquarters. The establishment of this network marks an important step towards better coordinating our knowledge, reflections and actions on youth, in order to improve the impact of our work. The Organization will reinforce support to Member- States in developing effective policies and programmes affecting youth, running from access to quality educational opportunities, the empowerment of young women and partnerships for HIV and AIDS prevention to the promotion of cultural diversity, measures to address youth violence, and sports for development and peace.

By recognizing the manifold contributions that youth can make in promoting mutual understanding, the International Year of Youth embraces UNESCO’s vision of “building peace in the minds of people” and aligns with the objective of the International Year for the Rapprochement of Cultures, which UNESCO is leading.

Young people must be given opportunities to participate as respected partners in decision-making and action at all levels. It is in everyone’s interest to empower youth with the skills they need to build more sustainable future. I call upon governments and the international community to act hand in hand with youth, and encourage young people from across the world to seize the opportunity this Year offers to network, share ideas and launch initiatives that promote peace, mutual understanding and development for all.

Call for UNAP MEMBERSHIP! Institutional and Individual

The United Nations Association of the Philippines, Inc (UNAP) (founded in 1947 by General Carlos P. Romulo, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary, Chief of the Philippine Mission to the United Nations; and Chief Delegate of the Philippines on the Far Eastern Commission in Washington, D.C.), established by law and duly registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission, is a private, non-stock, non-profit, professional organization dedicated to help actualize the ideals of the United Nations (UN) and promote better understanding and appreciation of UN activities in the pursuit of peace and security, in the acceleration of economic and social development, and in the promotion of harmonious relations among nations of the world for the good of mankind, and strive to involve the Filipino people in the attainment of these ends.

UNAP is in the process of updating the roster of its institutional members with its agency logo and contact details for posting at the UNAP website www.unap1947unyap.blogspot.com and to form part of the souvenir programme to be issued during the 63rd UNAP Annual Convention, hosted by the National University on October 23, 2010. We would like to invite various institutions to be in the active roster of UNAP institutional members.

Applications forms are available upon request:

1. Statement of Account Years 2009-2010
2. Institutional Membership Application Form 2009-2010