Youth Leaders: Mentors for Community Development

● RAFI: Young Minds Academy Season 8 scholars presented their research at Eduardo Aboitiz Hall, RAFI-EADSC

Young Minds Academy (YMA) is a youth leadership citizenship development program composed of students from different institutions in Cebu. It started in October of 2006, and is currently on its 8th season.

This year’s season theme focuses on Urban Development, highlighting on Disaster Risk Reduction and Management, and Climate Change Adaption. This is also within the Bigger Framework of the Mega Cebu program, which is RAFI and other stakeholders are advocating towards a more sustainable city-region.

The group, composed of students from different institutions, presented the findings they have gathered during their immersion and social research as a part of their participation in the program.

Among the issues in the community include irregular garbage collections, poor drainage system, fraternities and drugs.

(L-R) YMA Alumna Benjie Belotindos,  Moco Charity Caňeal, UP student leader, and Ms. Jenny Lea Tan, RAFI-EADSC Program Officer

The forum was attended by LGU officials who assessed, clarified and verified the results of the YMA scholars.

“Because we are inviting the respective LGU officials of their immersion sites, the forum is also a way of validating the data that they have collected. The results will serve as the basis for projects that they will be developing” said Mel Yan, EADSC program officer.

YMA is a great help to the community especially on identifying issues that were not reported yet to the barangay office.

“Dili namo mahimo ang tanan” (We cannot do everything) They cannot identify all the problems in the community unless there is someone who will approach them,” said Mandaue City Councilor Editha Flores Cabahug.

Cabahug, who also served as barangay captain for 10 years in Barangay Luok, Mandaue City, added that the training is a great help for students to improve their confidence most especially in public speaking.

“The Young Minds Academy is an opportunity for them (students) to strengthen their character and inspire active citizenship, so it only is a framework of what we call the three C’s framework – Competence, Character and Citizenshio,” said Evelyn Nacario-Castro, executive director of EADSC

YMA Season 8 Scholars

Meanwhile, Mel Allego, spokesman for the Governor of Cebu Province has expressed his appreciation to the students. He said not everyone is well to do and many were struggling to focus instead in their family.

“But the students are civic minded who have concern about their neighbors and their environment,” Allego said.

He added that he is impressed with the student’s works and their usage of English language during the presentation.

The Young Citizens Forum 2014 was held to inspire the public, especially the youth to take an active role in Community development, particularly towards creating a better Cebu. (With PR)