RAFI-YMA Scholars Tackle Urban Problems, Disaster Risk Issues

After eight months of rigorous competence-building and character-strengthening learning sessions, Young Minds Academy (YMA) scholars initiated community-based projects addressing urban development problems and issues on disaster risk reduction and management and climate change adaptation (DRRM-CCA).

YMA is a program of the Ramon Aboitiz Foundation Inc.–Eduardo Aboitiz Development Studies Center (RAFI-EADSC).

Using various approaches and strategies, the scholars crafted 11 community-based project models that were selected for pilot implementation. The projects were the Project Lig-on of Gen A Team Seattle in Barangay Tayud, Consolacion; Project ANDAM of Gen A Team Toronto in Barangay Estaca, Compostela; The DRRM Plan of Gen A Team Vancouver in Barangay Centro, Mandaue City; Head-on Hands-on DRRM Backpacking of Gen A Team Los Angeles in the Municipality of Cordova.

Project AKBAI of Gen A Team Paris in Barangay San Isidro, San Fernando; Project SAFE (Set and Act on Flood Emergency) of Gen A Team London in Barangay Tulay, Minglanilla; Alab Alarma of Gen B Team Caracas in Barangay Centro, Mandaue City; Better Purok Design of Gen B Team Rio de Janiero in Barangay Dayas, Cordova; The Twin Project of Gen B Team Taipei in Barangay Lawaan III and Barangay Lagtang, both in Talisay City; Don’t Wait, Bakwit of Gen B Team Jakarta in Barangay Pitos, Cebu City.

RAFI, partner local government units, and other partners/sponsors funded and supported the projects, which were among the avenues for active citizenship training provided by RAFI-EADSC to the 89 Season 8 scholars. There are eight YMA teams currently implementing their social marketing initiatives to promote a DRRM-CCA cause.

The teams will present their accomplishment reports during a YMA pre-conference assembly on November 22 at the RAFI–EADSC building on Lopez Jaena Street, Cebu City. Teams shortlisted during the pre-conference would get the chance to present their projects during the Best of Young Minds Conference on November 29.

The Best of Young Minds Conference will serve as venue for the scholars to advocate for their social marketing initiatives to a range of stakeholders for support, further implementation, and replication. The conference will be followed by the Best of Young Minds Awards and Graduation to culminate YMA Season 8.

The Young Minds Academy is one of the programs of RAFI-EADSC under the Leadership & Citizenship Focus Area, which aims to build future leaders and influencers in a community that is ready to effect change.

For more information about YMA, you may contact Jenny Lea Tan at 418-7234 local 112 or e-mail at jenny.lea.tan@rafi.org.ph, or visit www.rafi.org.ph or www.facebook.com/rafi.org.ph.