By IAYSP
March 11-13, 2022 | The International Association of Youth and Students for Peace – Pilipinas hosted a Youth Leaders’ General Assembly at Pranjetto Hills, Tanay Rizal. The event was participated by 40 IAYSP leaders from 20 IAYSP local chapters. The purpose of the event was to strengthen the bond of IAYSP members across the Philippines and to hone their skills as conscience-driven leaders.
On the first day, the activity was held at IAYSP National Headquarters at 32 Samar Avenue, South Triangle, Quezon City. The first day was attended by the leaders of the movement such as Rev. Masaichi Hori, Dr. Robert S. Kittel, Dr. Julius Malicdem, and Dr. Leo Angelo Halog. The opening remarks was given by the IAYSP- Pilipinas Chairman, Dr. Leo Angelo, T. Halog and the keynote address was given by the Regional President of FFWPU Region 2, Pres. Masaichi Hori.
There were inspiring lectures shared to the young leaders such as “The Role and Importance of Youth and Students in Shaping a Sustainable Future” that was delivered by Dr. Julius Malicdem, Regional Vice- President of FFWPU Region 2; “The way to a Principled and Conscience Driven Leadership” given by Dr. Robert S. Kittel, Co-Chair of UPF Asia Pacific; “Building Courage and Confidence in Leadership” that was given by Mr. Froilan Matbagan Jr., Vice- President of IAYSP- Pilipinas; and “Personality Development and Organizational Management” given by Prof. Lorna Lansangan, School Principal of Sun Hwa International School.
Aside from lectures, there were also sharing of best practices from the pioneering local chapters such as IAYSP-Palawan, IAYSP- Bicol, IAYSP- Bohol and IAYSP- Misamis Occidental. IAYSP Program Heads also reported the progress of each programs and discussed with the youth leaders on how to enhance the programs and to effectively implement it on the local chapters. Additionally, a handbook that was crafted by IAYSP- Cavite Chapter was discussed together with the other chapters. Team-building was also part of the program to motivate the young leaders to work together and strengthen camaraderie. On the later part of the program, the participants expressed their hearts by reflection sharing.
On the graduation day, Dr. Leo Angelo Halog made his opening remarks. After that, a special message was given by Rev. Masaichi Hori. The youth leaders also heard the peace message from Dr. Lorenzo Clavejo. During the graduation, an Oath Taking also took place for the new set of officers from different chapters, Rev. Masaichi Hori gave a benediction prayer in Korean. Furthermore, the Awarding Ceremony was held. Distribution of Participant’s certificate for completing the 3-Day IASYP Youth Leaders’ Assembly. Certificates were also given to the pioneering and active IAYSP- Pilipinas Chapters namely: IAYSP- Palawan, IAYSP- Bohol, IAYSP- Bicol and IAYSP- Misamis Occidental. Tokens were also given to the youth leaders who won the Team- Building activities and contests. After the Awarding, selected IAYSP members were chosen to give their reflection regarding the 3-Day event. The International President of IAYSP, Mr. Koji Matsuda sent a congratulatory message to IAYSP- Pilipinas Leaders, as well as the members of the Board of Trustees in IAYSP- Pilipinas.
The 3-Day event also had an was closed with a closing remarks by the program head, Ms. Ella Mae Perez and the 4 cheers of Eog Mansei led by Mr. Froilan Matbagan, Vice- President of IAYSP- Pilipinas.
Reflections
HERALD LAGROSA, IAYSP- PALAWAN: We are so blessed and honored to be one of the participants in this very first time of Youth Leaders Assembly via face-to-face activity after two years of a pandemic due to covid 19. These were really amazing and unforgettable experiences that we encountered in our entire life. Words are not enough to express our deepest gratefulness and gratitude in this Youth Leaders Assembly hosted by the National Chapters of IAYSP or the International Association of Youth and Students for Peace Pilipinas. We/I am also grateful to the National officers for the tireless and sincere devotion to the success of this event, we will always keep this inspiration as a determination for us to advance forward and make history for the future generation. Shaping a Sustainable Future is one of the most important roles of Youth and Students.
Through these, I felt and embody the word to be empowered through the vision of our organization to become a global family building a world of peace with True Love. Reaffirm in order for us to advance world peace through character education, and Strengthen the values of each of us such as Responsibility, Integrity, Service, and Empathy. Through these youth leaders’ assemblies, we were able to realize more the importance of our every contribution to the community and how we can be responsible for it.
Those leaders who are moral, aspire to serve and build the capacities of others. We do not strive to further our own interests and power but to be the moral leadership that is driven by a profound sense of ethics, values, and love in the pursuit of a greater goal. Becoming a young leader is showing “lead by example”, to hold ourselves to a high moral standard, and to be accountable to the people we serve. We are tomorrow’s leaders, and as such encourage every one of us to embrace moral leadership as we work towards shaping a sustainable future. With these learning and ideas that we get from here, we will always treasure this and put it in our hearts. I ’ve so much
appreciated all our distinguished leaders and elders who taught us the real meaning of becoming a youth and a leader within ourselves. For us to bring the glory and honor to our founder, great leader, and to our co-youth leaders we would like to determine and march forward for the sake and pride of the True Parents providence building a world of peace and global citizen of Cheon Il Guk.
JON OLIVE GAWEC, IASYP- CAR: The assembly is a wonderful learning experience as well as a ground for development and learning, as well as reflection. Being able to hear from our leaders, lecturers, elders, and gaining inspiration from co-youth leaders is a great way to encourage each other and to always have something to learn from. Being a leader is not just an opportunity to lead but it is where we learn to take responsibility and serve others with the principle as our guide. I am grateful to everyone included in this assembly, to those who gave their efforts to make it possible, the cooks, and those who poured their hearts to invest in the youth through activities such as this.
ELLAH JOY VICTORIA RAMOS, IAYSP- PANGASINAN: These past few months have been really challenging for me in terms of leading myself; self-control, self-discipline, embodying my responsibilities and more. Life everyday has been so unproductive and unfulfilling. As a student leader and a chapter president of YSP here in Pangasinan I was motivated from day1 up until the last minute I spent in the 3Day Youth Leaders Assembly 2022. I was reminded of my identity; who am I and what responsibility I have upon my shoulders and I was redirected to my motivation on why I accepted this position and why I want to be a part of YSP. I also enjoyed socializing so much that I missed so much right after the pandemic started. I was so happy to be able to see the people behind the success and hard work if each chapters and I am beyond blessed to create new friendships and build a stronger relationship with all of the powerful youth leaders of IAYSP. I am also grateful and thankful to all the staffs, sponsors, speakers, and to all our leaders who made it possible for us to be able to conduct a very successful event. And also I am most thankful to our HP&TP most especially to our beloved True Mother for giving us a chance to be able to be here and to be a part of such wonderful organization.