By YSP Philippines
The International Association of Youth and Students for Peace—Philippines, together with the University of Rizal System, joined together in conducting the 2023 Peace Designers’ Global Action in the Philippines with the theme “Nature’s Breath, Education, and Innovative Research Development and Demonstration Hub” last August 22–24, 2023, that was held at the University of Rizal System, Morong Campus, Morong Rizal, Philippines. The event gathers 32 youth peacebuilders, leaders from YSP Korea, and students from the mentioned university.
The 3-day event started with the opening message given by Mr. Rene T. Lansangan, President of IAYSP-Philippines, talking about the YSP organization and giving a glimpse of Peace Designers. He also emphasized that “we (youth) are peace lovers, and so we will be peacebuilders.” The statement was acknowledged by the OIC Director of the URS Morong Campus, Dr. Xenia B. Canale, as she heartily welcomed the delegates of the event.
Moreover, the President of the University of Rizal System extends her gratitude for implementing the event at their institution and being partnered with IAYSP-Philipinas. She added that it is an opportunity for young people to take care of our world. In addition, Mr. Fujisaki Kojin, the team leader of the IAYSP-Korea for this event, also gave his words, saying, “We (YSP-Korea) came here (in the Philippines) to spread the message of about peace, but as I realize, you are already peace designers in your university, hoping that we could spread it to the world.”
Meanwhile, the lecture proper started with a discussion about True Love in Action, which was given by the Secretary General of IAYSP- Philippines, Ms. Nikki R. Jerusalem. She highlighted that “true love is giving and forgetting that you have given. It is an act of living for the sake of others.”
The delegates have undergone Peace Designers’ Training as Mr. Ronnie Sodusta, the President of IAYSP Asia Pacific 2, gave his Peace Designers’ Lecture and explained to everyone that their talents and skills are important and can be used in making their own peace project. As the discussion goes on, Mr. Sodusta challenges them to make their own peace project that they think is rampant and must be solved nowadays. Each team presented their shared peace project ideas with different themes about peace, mental health, individualism, environmental awareness, and showcasing youth talents.
URS-YSP NBEIRDD promotes environmental development, which is divided into four (4) categories: development of a demonstration or learning hub; growing of high-valued vegetables; development of butterfly sanctuaries; and, lastly, development of bird sanctuaries. On the second day, they (the participants) were obliged to do the first phase, which is the development of a demonstration and learning hub, which is also included in their service project activity. In this phase, the delegates have experienced masonry, gardening and planting, mural painting, and fencing inside the campus premises of the University of Rizal System Morong.
The last day of the event happened to be memorable for everyone because of their separation. On the other hand, it ended with peace, love, and determination, continuing the act of living for the sake of others. Their newfound knowledge and inspiration push their hearts to achieve peace within themselves and with others.
In the end, it was concluded with the realizations and reflections of some student leaders. To give some context, she is a mixed-race Korean-Thai from IAYSP- Korea named Eunhye You, and she said, “…Now, I have another goal of developing stronger abilities and helping the Philippines with its problems. In fact, my dream is to join the UPF and become a global leader that enables us to move towards a peaceful world where the world is not uncomfortable.” Another one is a URS student named Jewell Anne Mendez, who stated, “In the span of 3 days, I was able to live for others, which is the very essence of being a peace designer. From learning how to structurally generate a service program as a student leader that will benefit the people under our governance… Through the 2023 Peace Designers Global Action in the Philippines, I was able to see how true love and active concern transcend across different barriers, may they be cultural, language, or beliefs.”
