By Christine Lambayong / PTV Public Affairs Intern
Across the borders of Southeast Asia, a new generation is set to step up, not only driven by ambition, but by the fire inside of them to make a change. In celebration of ASEAN Youth Month (AYM), this week’s episode of Iskoolmates shines the spotlight on how young people can make a lasting impact through their leadership and advocacies.
With the help of youth organizations, they are turning passion into purpose and action, empowering youth voices to lead the way toward a better and stronger society.
From desire to movement
This week’s guest is Mr. Mirus Ponon, founder of the ASEAN Youth Advocacy Network (AYAN). He started by walking us through how his journey began with his passion for volunteerism since childhood. In 2019, he established the Youth Advocate for the Philippines that eventually grew from a hundred to thousands of participants. This led them to shift into an ASEAN-wide organization in 2020.
With this, it became his fuel to create a platform where youth have a safe space to find their advocacy and act on it. A space that is built on the belief that “Your deepest advocacy comes from your deepest hugot,” he says, and these convictions can be a seed for young people to be civically engaged and make a lasting impact.
Wide discussion, big actions
One of the flagship events of the AYAN, which is the ASEAN Youth Advocates Summit (AYAS), encapsulates the vision of the ASEAN Youth Month’s theme revolving around inclusivity and sustainability.
During the discussion, the hosts were curious because ASEAN Youth Month, once just a week-long celebration, has evolved into a month-long celebration. As per Mirus, only 1 out of 10 know what ASEAN is and what it does. Hence, from online forums to on-ground activities, AYAN brought this movement closer to the communities.
The host also shared how she was once immersed in volunteerism back when she was in college. She said, “I thought that volunteerism ended for me after college. You think all this activism, volunteerism, spirit that you have right now is something you will carry on. No, sometimes it dies with you.” But she added that finding these organizations can help bring their fire back.
Purpose in motion
As the episode draws to a conclusion, the hosts are sharing their takeaways for this episode; highlighting the importance of inclusivity and collaboration not only with people in the Metro, but also involving the marginalized sectors in this kind of movement.
They also shared the role of performing arts to immerse the youth in social realities and give them a reason to be one of the catalysts of change locally and globally. Furthermore, they encourage parents and professionals to make young people aware of the problems and help them find their spark in finding solutions.
Lastly, Mirus calls for the young people to be critical thinkers and doers in whatever situation the community is facing, to be upright and active citizens in society, and to take action to make their advocacy into reality.
They ended the episode by reminding that even though you are young, that doesn’t mean you can’t contribute. Your voice, mind, and heart are powerful enough to create a difference because “ Sa bawat kuwento, sa bawat isyu, may pakialam ka!”
-dac/avds
