PHL students attend 2013 ASEAN environmental youth event

By EMB-DENR
July 17, 2013

QUEZON CITY – Four youth leaders represent the Philippines to the ASEAN Workshop on the Role of Youth in Green Consumption: Stepping Forward to One Community in Bangkok, Thailand on July 15-20, 2013.

The Philippine youth delegation composed of the following: Bren Garette Rivera and Jann Ursula Aree Ibones of Catanduanes State University in Virac, Catanduanes; and Leo Kevin Mante and Donnady Lao of the University of Eastern Philippines in Catarman, Northern Samar. Those universities are the regional winners and national finalists under college category of the 2011 National Search for Sustainable and Eco-Friendly which was organized by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources-Environmental Management Bureau, the Department of Education, the Commission on Higher Education and Smart Communications, Inc.

Said youth leaders came from the different universities in the country to join with the different youth leaders from Southeast Asia to discuss green consumption which serves as an alternative for environmental sustainability.

The ASEAN environmental youth workshop on green consumption has the following objectives: (1) To provide knowledge and understanding on the main concept of green consumption and its related issues to ASEAN youth, in particular the situation and good practice in Thailand; (2) To encourage ASEAN youth to exchange views and ideas regarding green consumption and to examine ways for further cooperation and commitment in the ASEAN region based on the power of youth and; (3) To support the role of youth in environmental sustainability in ASEAN region. The said environmental youth workshop is one of the target objectives of the ASEAN Environmental Education Action Plan for 2014-2018 under the theme “Environmental Education for Sustainable Development”.

In the Philippines, the Philippine Youth Environment Network (PhilYEN) was relaunched last June 28, 2013 at SM City North EDSA, Quezon City under the theme: “Araw ng mga Eco-Filipino: Kabataan Para sa Kalikasan”. The said national youth environmental network provides platform for environmental youth organizations and individuals in the Philippines to generate environmental initiatives for their respective schools and communities. PhilYEN was created as a response to the United Nations Environment Programme-South East Youth Environment Network (SEAYEN)-TUNZA strategy and Republic Act No. 9512 (National Environmental Awareness and Education Act of 2008).

The Philippine youth delegation will be expected to undertake environmental programs during the next one year and contribute towards strengthening PhilYEN. They will also be expected to disseminate information about ASEAN, SEAYEN and PhilYEN during any forum/ national/ international meetings that they participate and appropriately inform the National Focal Point and ASEAN Secretariat about the same.