World Youth Alliance Asia Pacific

Communicating Human Dignity Through Disability Awareness

2011-12-08T15:15:00.004+08:00

Celebrate with us! Christmas Outreach Party

2011-11-29T17:17:00.004+08:00

Ubuchindami Film Night: The Boy in Striped Pajamas!

2011-11-27T14:58:00.003+08:00

Come to our 4th General Assembly for 2011!

2011-11-24T13:56:00.005+08:00

Dignity Project: Language. Origami. Film.

2011-11-18T13:23:00.003+08:00

Join our last Coffee House for 2011!

2011-11-16T23:07:00.002+08:00

Join us for the iFaith Lecture Series!

2011-11-02T16:45:00.000+08:00

WYA Members from Across the Globe Share their Message

2011-10-27T09:55:00.007+08:00

Let's Welcome Baby 7 Billion!

2011-10-26T15:39:00.002+08:00

Asia Pacific Internship Program 2012

2011-10-24T11:39:00.005+08:00

CALL FOR APPLICATIONS:

Batch 1: January 9 to March 30, 2012
Application Deadline: November 26, 2011

Batch 2: May 2 to July 20, 2012
Application Deadline: March 24, 2012

Batch 3: September 3 to December 7, 2012
Application Deadline: July 28, 2012

THE PROGRAM

Internships run for 10 to 12 weeks on the average. Interns will be assigned projects and will be in-charge of implementing it according to the specifics in the brief.

Introductory Training
All interns begin with their basic Certified Training Program (CTP). It will focus on two areas namely human rights philosophy and the dignity of the human person as the basis for all human rights.

Project Development
The Interns will have the opportunity to have a first-hand experience in managing projects under the guidance of WYA Staff. Interns will be assigned to work on tasks that suit their interests and strengths.

Network Building
Interns will be able to attend different events and meet new contacts as they represent WYA in various occasions.

HOW TO APPLY:

Download the Application Form from http://asiapacific.wya.net
Submit the following documents before the deadline:

Cover Letter
Accomplished Application Form
Curriculum Vitae or Resume with 1x1 ID picture
Two (2) Recommendation Letters addressed to the Regional Director of Operations
For new members, a signed copy of the WYA Charter

For application form submissions and other concerns you may contact Christine Violago at christine@wya.net or call the Asia Pacifc office at (+63 2) 4330715

Dignity Project: Changing Attitude Towards Disability

2011-10-21T13:59:00.000+08:00

Manhattan International Film Festival

2011-10-21T13:51:00.002+08:00

The World Youth Alliance (WYA) invites young directors from around the world to submit original short films that effectively and creatively portray human dignity and authentic accounts of the human experience. WYA is seeking to highlight films that represent the triumph of the human spirit, heroic accounts of the individual's use of freedom, the power of solidarity among people from diverse backgrounds, and other related themes that artfully draw viewers into deeper contemplation of the human condition.

A distinguished panel of film industry experts will judge all submissions and select top directors to be Manhattan International Film Festival finalists. The short films of these finalists will be featured at the Manhattan International Film Festival scheduled for January 27-28th, 2012, at Marymount Manhattan College. A travel stipend will be provided for all film director finalists.

At the Manhattan International Film Festival, film director finalists will receive:

A public screening of their film
A master class critique by film industry experts
An opportunity to connect with film critics, producers, investors, and established directors attending the festival
An opportunity to dialogue about their work with the Manhattan International Film Festival audience
An opportunity to meet and experience the work of other young directors from around the world
An online forum to present one's work and receive feedback from viewers around the world

Furthermore, the following prizes will be awarded at the festival:

The World Youth Alliance Award for the film that provides the most innovative portrayal of human dignity
The People's Choice Award for the film most enjoyed by festival attendees

These prize-winning films will be screened at a private event for international diplomats at the United Nations.

Application requirements:

All submissions must be completed before the film director's 30th birthday.
All submissions must be under 10 minutes in length.
All submissions must be independently produced and financed with the backing of no major studio. The support of film or art schools is permissible.
If not in the English language, all submissions must include English subtitles.
All applicants must complete an application form.

To request an application form and instructions for uploading short film submissions, please email alexis@wya.net.

All applications and submissions must be received by Thursday, December 1st, 2011.

WYAAP October Spotlight on PJ Manalo

2011-10-14T14:18:00.013+08:00

Get to Know the 2011 Philippine Committee Director

Name: PJ L. Manalo

Age: 28

Country: Republic of the Philippines

Relationship to WYA: Philippine National Committe Director, volunteer since 2005

Describe your WYA experience:

Volunteering for WYA has led to such a wide range of opportunities, challenges, and meaningful experiences for me. WYA gave me an avenue through which I could develop and apply my skills in all sorts of fields (writing, speaking, graphic design, etc.). It has challenged the way I think and expanded my knowledge, and helped me engage others in spirited exchanges of ideas through the training program. I have been given the distinct pleasure of getting to know and to work with a diverse group of people from all over the world -- interns, WYA friends and staff, etc. -- who share in WYA´s values and contribute in their own distinct ways to WYA´s mission.

How do you carry on the mission of WYA today?

I am currently taking my postgraduate degree in Industrial and Organizational Psychology and am currently involved in the Organizational Development consultancy practice of the Human Resources company I work with. Through my studies and the work I have been doing, I am able to work with groups and organizations (in the private, public, and NGO sectors) on how they can help improve the way they work and strive to meet their goals. At the center of all that is a fundamental appreciation that good work is a creative expression of our human dignity, and that the human person, as the single greatest resource we have in the world, must be developed in all ways, always.

Join us! WYAAP Film Night: Into the Wild

2011-10-08T17:42:00.007+08:00

Nathaniel Chu from Macau shares about his WYAAP Internship Experience

2011-09-22T14:38:00.005+08:00

FROM MACAU TO THE PHILIPPINES

My Internship Experience
By: Nathaniel Chu

It was the first time I stayed outside Macau for more than 10 weeks. The purpose of this trip was to explore and learn the fundamental component in life, which is human dignity. After I read the history of WYA, I was surprised that not everyone recognized human dignity as an important value in life.

The life in WYA was quite different from Macau. For the following few weeks, I had got many chances to explore and reflect what human dignity was. For instance, I went to congress and studied the issue in the Philippines. It was a great challenge for me as I was a novice to those topics.

Next, living with different cultural background people, who are the locals and from India, was also impressive. We lived together and shared the responsibility to take care of the house. It makes me realized that we are living in a collective society, we need to cooperate and sacrifice in order to achieve “common good”. Just like living in WYA house, the comfortable living environment was what we need to achieve and maintain.

Outside the training, I was also distributed some project. The coffee house definitely was the most impressive event. WYA served as a platform for the youth to show their dignity through performance. For me, I was so glad to be one of the organizer and one of the performers. In fact, I had got many chances to show my music with WYA friends, it made me felt like home as we could interact through music.

This summer's WYA internship is probably the best summer I have. I have met more new friends and their life altitude and personalities worth me to learn. I hope this experience can encourage me to bring impact to Macau society.

Meet the New Batch of WYAAP Interns for September to December 2011

2011-09-22T13:32:00.033+08:00

GET TO KNOW THE PEOPLE WHO HELP RUN OUR REGION!

ANGELINE CALURASAN

Hello Friends! I’m Angeline Calurasan from Philippines and currently taking up Bachelor of Science in Tourism at University of the Philippines. My interest covers interaction with new culture, place and people and that's the reason why I joined World Youth Alliance as an Intern. Another reason why I joined is because the organization promotes Human Dignity and Integral Human Development through Cultural Projects and Activities, which I’m interested working on for the next years. I am also interested with the activities that will help me generate new ideas. My personal goal is to engage myself with different interactions that will impart learning and will prepare me to social obligations. I dream of being an active Advocate of Change and to share my knowledge to the Youth as I take responsibility in making this Society a better place to live in.

CARMINDA LICERIO

I am Carminda Licerio, graduate of Business Information Management from the Asian Institute of Computer Studies in Bulacan. I chose to become a WYA intern because it is more relevant in my previous advocacy campaign. Though I am focused on persons with disabilities, I think WYA is one organization that can promote human rights as they are more focused on Human Dignity. I want to learn more on how to protect the dignity of a person and to be more active in their activities and programs regarding their advocacy. My dream is to be one of the best advocator of persons with disabilities and human dignities. I love to make friends and meet other people with different characteristics.

JAMAICA MARIE ONA

I am a 4^th year BS Tourism student of the University of the Philippines Diliman. I choose to be a WYAAP intern because I am part of the youth. To be trained to know and deeply understand my fellow youth, our needs and capabilities, and to be endowed with the righteous principles about humanity is essential to my well being. My goal is to learn, above all, the guiding principles WYA works in accordance with because I want to be an active and a responsible Filipino with a good moral state. For the world I dream of people living responsibly for each other amidst diversity and trials.

MANDY ALQUEZA

Being an Accounting-dropped out, an irregular student, scholastic delinquent, disqualified in having honors in high school and college, assertive and introvert person; I still believe when we least expect it, life sets us a challenge to test our courage and willingness to change; at such a moment, there is no point in pretending that nothing has happened or in saying that we are not yet ready. The challenge will not wait. Life does not look back. A week is more than enough time for us to decide whether or not to accept our destiny. There are many struggles in life that are willing to grab me by the neck but one thing’s for sure: I WILL NEVER GIVE UP. - Many Alqueza, 20, PUP Manila, Activist but not Rallyist, Anti- Racist and Proud to be a FILIPINO.

LOVELY NAZARENO

My name is Lovely Nazareno, I love to be active. Back when I was a student, I joined campus organizations and student councils which contribute to my interest in participating with advocacy groups in creating positive influence to the society. The other side of me is an enthusiast of creative arts; I have a fascinating appreciation to the different forms of art – especially photography. I chose to be WYA intern because I want to learn more about WYA and do creative projects with them. At the end of this internship, I hope to be at my best; making everything I have learned a LIFESTYLE.

I dreamed of becoming someone that would bring positive change in my country. I want the Philippines to become a first world nation – a first world of our own – where the people are rooted in faith, equally cares for all and collectively enriching the society.

CATCH THEM IN ACTION!

WATCH OUT FOR THEIR DIGNITY PROJECTS AND OTHER EXCITING EVENTS!

Free iPhone Application- WYA at WYD

2011-08-04T09:57:00.000+08:00

WYA is getting ready for WYD: official app and iPod!

Guess what?

WYA has an official iPod!

We'll be using this useful tool to sign up NEW members at World Youth Day.

Are you joining the party this August 16-21? Don't want to miss a thing?

Find out about all of our events/sign the charter with our NEW iPhone/iPod app!

Download it for free HERE

See you all in Madrid!

United Nations High-level Meeting on Youth: Occasion for World Youth Alliance to Shine

2011-07-28T10:07:00.000+08:00

New York City, July 26, 2011) -- The World Youth Alliance (WYA) brought thirty young people from almost twenty countries to the United Nations High-level Meeting on Youth, held July 25 -26, 2011 at UN Headquarters in New York City. Many of the WYA members were accepted onto the official delegations of their countries. This made for a heightened experience for many of the WYA delegates, especially those who found themselves sitting on the floor of the UN General Assembly amongst heads of state from all over the world. For Bernadette, from France, one short sentence summed it up: “This is awesome.” WYA welcomed the opportunity to present the voices of young people by promoting dignity, the family and authentic development.

WYA co-sponsored a side event at the meeting on July 26th called “Our Voices, Our Aspirations: A Youth Dialogue on Sustainable Development” with the Bahá’í International Community and attended by over forty participants. Iyinoluwa Aboyeji, a WYA member from Nigeria, delivered a speech at the event, outlining his vision of sustainable youth development. Iyinoluwa pointed to the “context” in which sustainable development takes place, which is always “families and communities” first, and not governments. He acknowledged that the outcome document of the HLMY contains a paragraph which states that the “primary responsibility for youth development lies with the States,” and that this is contrary to what we know about authentic development. The primary responsibility for youth development falls to families and communities. WYA thanks and commends UN delegations that included its recommendations and the language of families in their addresses to the General Assembly on Tuesday July 26th.

For World Youth Alliance, the HLMY presented an opportunity to highlight the best of what young people have to offer at the international institutions. WYA delegates drafted newsletters, statements on the final outcome document and contributed to the “youth voice” at the UN, a voice which is too often oriented around guaranteeing “sexual and reproductive rights” rather than focusing on the real needs of young people in terms of development, like nutrition, education, basic healthcare, sanitation, decent work and a vibrant culture.

Recognizing the importance of the arts and culture in the lives of young people, WYA also hosted an evening event called “Art Speaks: A Gateway to Understanding the Human Person”, which highlighted young musicians, actors, filmmakers, and sculptors. 130 WYA members, friends and delegates joined us at WYA Headquarters to enjoy the evening of performances and visual art exhibits.

For more information:
Rebecca Marchinda, WYA Director of Advocacy
Email: becky@wya.net Phone: +1 212 585 0757 Website: www.wya.net

ESPERANZA! Working Towards Dialogue and Mutual Understanding Among Youth as Agents of Development, Social Inclusion, Tolerance and Peace

2011-07-26T17:11:00.002+08:00

This year’s High Level Meeting on Youth, concluding the UN International Year of Youth, will be dedicated to Dialogue and Mutual Understanding. The United Nations has invited a limited number of youth delegates to dialogue on issues they are facing today, so as to foster “mutual understanding,” among youth but also between authorities and youth. The World Youth Alliance and its members also prepared for the meeting and ensured that the voice of the world’s young people would be heard by representatives of Member States and the Secretariat of the U.N. In order to accomplish this, we proposed a series of amendments to the outcome document, and I was in charge of doing the initial analysis and creating an outline of our proposals.

In preparation for this meeting, the UN Secretariat issued a draft outcome document that Member States were invited to amend and develop. This document heavily drew upon the World Programme of Action on Youth (WPAY), drafted and signed by the General Assembly in 1995. But it also refers to other international texts–including the Millennium Development Goals. Draft amendments were proposed, accepted, altered or refused; paragraphs were deleted and moved; new issues were added. All in all, keeping a clear head while following this process and drafting our own amendments and proposals has been challenging.

There are ten priority areas addressed by the international community in the WPAY. These are all reflected in the final outcome document of this week’s High Level Meeting. The title of the document implies that the HLMY is about dialogue and mutual understanding. However, besides a few introductory paragraphs, only Paragraphs 18 and 26 specifically mention the official theme of the conference. The following title would have better mirrored the substance of the draft: “Involving youth with a view to more effective and better focused development.” The current draft combines the MDGs with the WPAY and focuses mostly on development issues: fostering “development,” enabling “youth development” and implementing the Millennium Development Goals. Therefore, the World Youth Alliance has strong hopes that young people from developing countries will be well-represented.

The World Alliance proposed three amendments to the draft outcome. The first emphasized respect for the dignity of the human person as the foundational principle underlying human rights. The second stressed the special vulnerability of young people to the multiple challenges that the world at large faces. The third added a dimension that is too often forgotten: the family plays a very important role of the life of all young people, since it is the first setting in which a youth learns how to dialogue, understand and compromise with the persons closest to him.

Personally, I would have added much more: An emphasis on the best interests of youth, a more pronounced acknowledgment of the role men and boys play in respecting women and fostering gender equality, an encouragement to strengthen policies supporting family unity as a measure to prevent crime, a stated need for policies supporting the integral development of each person in order to bring about “youth development.” I trust, however, that despite the absence of these issues in the final document, representatives of States will keep them in mind by implementing the outcome according to the principle of subsidiarity. In the end, the main challenge of my work on amendments was the likelihood that with so many proposals, none of them would make their way into the next draft. I just had to restrain myself and keep to the most essential ones. I didn’t realize how much reading would have to be done just to analyze a UN outcome document, but I enjoyed every minute and gladly accepted the challenge.

- Bernadette

WYA Member, France

Age 29

ESPERANZA! Promotion of Family in the UN High Level Meeting on the Youth

2011-07-25T11:37:00.005+08:00

The Value of Family Promotion in Protecting the Intrinsic Dignity of the Human Person

The World Youth Alliance welcomes the General Assembly’s proclamation of the International Year of Youth: Dialogue and Mutual Understanding. Youth represent a significant proportion of the world and are therefore not only the future, but also the present. The World Youth Alliance recognizes that educating and empowering youth is integral to the improvement of social and economic conditions and the well-being and livelihood of future generations. The World Youth Alliance also recognizes that all persons have intrinsic dignity; it is only through respecting this dignity that the ideals of peace, freedom, justice, tolerance, respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms, solidarity and development can be effectively achieved.

With this as our foundation, it is clear that authentic human development begins with investment in the human person. This needs to ensure that the person is placed in the right conditions and environment to foster his well-being, fulfillment and productivity. Such investment must begin with the family, which the Universal Declaration of Human Rights declares is the “fundamental unit of society.”

The family promotes a stable environment that is necessary for the person to flourish. Children with supportive parents are more likely to be engaged with their school education at home and receive help from their parents if faced with difficulties. Also, with the support of the family, children are encouraged to strongly value their education and are often guided to pursue post-secondary education. With a supportive family, an attitude of positive optimism and future ambition is cultivated. Indeed, the family encourages development of skills and concepts necessary for social change. For instance, the family plays an invaluable role in the child’s development of language and speech and the nurturing of cognitive abilities. This is consistent with the established relationship between language and power and the fact that language is fundamental to human agency and social transformation.

Discrimination, isolation and poverty are integrally linked. When the person is isolated from her family she is more susceptible to discrimination due to the associated vulnerability that comes with the absence of support and solidarity. The UN Committee on Educational, Social and Cultural Rights has correctly recognized that poverty is often caused by people having no access to existing resources because of who they are, what they believe or where they live. Especially in developing countries, belonging to a family provides more locus standi, and allows for easier integration into the wider community.

Statistics have shown a clear and consistent relationship between the ideal of united families and economic buoyancy. For instance, when compared to single adults, married adults have a significantly higher average household income. Likewise children of married parents in comparison to those of unmarried parents have been found to do better economically. The breakdown of the family unit goes against the world’s aspirations for forward strides to be made in social and economic matters. Research has shown that divorced adults, especially women, experience greater economic hardship.

Promoting the family is essential to providing the right conditions for the human person to develop and flourish. The simple and yet integral value of family promotion is often overlooked in international documents. Promoting the family would have far-reaching positive effects on education and empowerment of the human person. It will also work to negate the possibilities of discrimination and thus enhance dialogue and mutual understanding as well as increase the integration of youth within society at large. Strong family units lead to the development of strong young men and women, empowered and equipped to positively contribute to our world, and to ensure the dignity of every person is recognized. The World Youth Alliance recognizes that dignity is something shared by all human persons and therefore there must be solidarity in recognizing this immutable fact. The essence of family promotion is to promote solidarity in its most fundamental form.

Learn more about our presence in the UN High Level Meeting on the Youth by clicking on this link: http://www.wya.net/news/newsitem.html?newsid=447

WYA at WYD Mobile Application Coming Soon!

2011-07-19T12:30:00.002+08:00

Watch the video!

WYA at World Youth Day 2011 Madrid

2011-07-14T11:12:00.002+08:00

World Youth Alliance will be in World Youth Day 2011 in Madrid, and we want to meet you there!
We have various activities and events that you can be part of. For more details, visit our WYAatWYD2011 website.

WYAAP General Assembly

2011-07-13T15:34:00.003+08:00

Everyone is invited. See you on Saturday!

WYAAP Members Featured: There's More to Me than What You See

2011-07-13T15:29:00.005+08:00

World Population Day: Take a Stand!

2011-07-12T11:44:00.002+08:00

St. Lucia Youth join World Youth Alliance on World Population Day.

Watch the video and join us!

HAPPENING TOMORROW! WYAAP Coffee House 2011: An Open Mic Event

2011-07-07T10:32:00.005+08:00

Last chance to sign-up for tomorrow's open mic event! Send an email to wyaap.ysobel@gmail.com or call us at 4330715 to add you on our list. Works of art can also be submitted to display during the event.

Everyone is invtited to come and enjoy the night with us.

See you there!

CSR Expo 2011: Looking at the youth as partners

2011-06-30T16:02:00.004+08:00

World Youth Alliance Regional Director, Renelyn Tan, will be attending the League of Corporate Foundations CSR Expo 2011 on July 20-21 at the SMX Convention Center in Manila, Philippines.

As a youth leader, Renelyn believes that CSR programs can be powerful vehicles for development. She is excited to learn about initiatives that can enable the youth to become partners in the process.

To join and be part of the LCF CSR Expo 2011, please visit http://www.lcf.org.ph/csrexpo2011/

WYAAP's Photo Essay Contest. Join Now!

2011-06-30T13:54:00.004+08:00

WYAAP Coffee House 2011

2011-06-28T12:55:00.002+08:00

Do you have a talent you want to share? Or maybe you just want to meet members old and new, while sipping on good coffee?

Then join us on July 8, 2011 at the WYAAP House for the WYAAP Coffee House 2011: Brewing Human Talent, Celebrating Human Dignity! It's a night filled with performances, art, coffee and good company!

WYA at World Youth Day Madrid 2011

2011-06-27T14:27:00.002+08:00

World Youth Alliance will be in World Youth Day Madrid! Watch out for our booths in different sites and sign the charter! See you there.

World Youth Alliance Summer Camp 2011

2011-06-13T14:39:00.002+08:00

By : Lovely L. Nazareno

I would always believe that there is a price to pay to be a good student in the school of life, there is always a decision to make that sometimes is not easy, there is always a path that you have to either walk or run. That is life.

My journey to WYA Summer Camp has not been that easy, there are a lot (hugely a lot) of things that I would say almost “hindered” me to attend. I had problems with my health a week before the camp and only a day before it when I finally got the clearance from the Doctor that I am ok to join. I was happy that I can be with WYA. However, “hindrances” are not yet over, while we were at the venue, having our orientation, somebody from NYC called me, asking for my presence in their office the next day because I qualified for an interview in an international youth exchange program called Ship for Southeast Asian Youth Program or SSEAYP that I applied a month ago. That call made me so uneasy and confused on what I should do next. Should I travel back – with health risks, grab the SSEAYAP, miss 2 or 3 topics of Track A or stay, study, enjoy the rain by the beach and miss the opportunity to be one of the Philippines Youth Ambassadors. I had a long debate in my mind, but I settled with a conclusion that God won’t bring me to Pangasinan with WYA if He does not intend it to be.

I am so happy that I made the right decision to stay at WYA Camp. The five-day training was full of intellectual and meaningful discussions coupled fun and laughter with other campers. I will always be proud of how this training camp was able to influence me on how I view other people – I was able to dive deep to the understanding of human dignity, of freedom, of solidarity. These elements should be respected and protected by the state and should be the basis of its governing laws. I cannot contain all the insights I have learned, I can feel inside that I have to echo it.

My favorite parts of the camp were the discussion about Culture and Art, the bonfire and the picture taking. I was able to grasp the philosophical side of Art, which helped me improve the messages that I am trying to convey through the artworks that I make. The bonfire was the moment where our other side was revealed - teasing, laughing, story-telling, stuff that we don’t usually do inside the “thinking hut” (the name we call our nipa hut classroom). Picture taking is where our decorous and wackiest side burst out in to the sunlight. I never imagine our facilitators posing like super stars and the participants postured like modern philosophers.

I never regret that I chose to stay and learn with WYA. Every single thing that happened during those training days is invaluable. More than the delicious food of Aling Liza, I will never forget the great people I came to know because of this camp. Salute to the facilitators who are able to make heavy topics seem so easy to understand. I encourage every young Filipino to participate in this kind of training camp. If you are looking for a meaningful way to spend your summer, join the World Youth Alliance Summer Training Camp next year, experience learning by the beach with your Track A.

For me, the two words that I can describe the camp are, it’s “LIFE CHANGING.”

WYA Solidarity Excursions in Madrid, Spain

2011-06-13T12:43:00.002+08:00

Are you and your group attending World Youth Day 2011 in Madrid? Why not meet up with World Youth Alliance too, and join our Solidarity Excursions in Madrid! We will go around the city telling people about the importance of recognizing human dignity and asking them to share our mission by signing the WYA Charter. The more volunteers we have, the more fun it will be!

WYA Solidarity Excursions leave daily from WYA booth sites. You can contact us at asiapacific@wya.net for more information.

News and updates are available at the WYA World Youth Day Website.

WYA Asia Pacific Features Young People in "There is More to Me Than What You See!" Campaign

2011-06-12T22:15:00.008+08:00

Throughout the year, WYA Asia Pacific will regularly feature different young people in its campaign There is More to Me Than What You See! in celebration of the International Year of the Youth 2010-2011.

WYA offers unique opportunities for the youth to prove that there is so much more that you can contribute to the world today. We invite you to join us in our activities:

Some claim that young people are too concerned with materialism. To deepen your understanding of important issues today, enrol yourself in the WYA Certified Training Program and immerse in lessons that will enable you to better appreciate and articulate human dignity in practical ways. Attend our upcoming Viviamo! Talks scheduled monthly from October to December 2010.

Some say that young people are too immersed with their own selves. To share your time and knowledge with youth who need you most, become a Sulong facilitator and make a lasting difference in others' lives.

Some think that young people have lost their idealism for the world. To make the world listen to your real concerns, talk to your government leaders and give them a glimpse of your dreams for your country. Join the WYA delegation to conferences and activities in the different regions.

Some believe that culture is not an important concern of youth anymore. To remind people that culture is a vital component of our being human, organize a Dignity Project in your school or community. Attend our upcoming i-Faith Talk for 2011 and discover young people who take their faith seriously as an expression of their dignity.

Some doubt the lasting changes that the youth can offer. To show the real alternatives that can come from youth today, bring WYA Asia Pacific to your community through our Introductory Sessions. Tell your friends about WYA and ask them to Sign the Charter!

Support our campaign and be involved! The time to maximize your potential for excellence is now. There is More to Me Than What You See!

Experience in WYA Summer Training

2011-06-03T14:00:00.003+08:00

by Catherine Descallar

I have come to an understanding how truly in common people are despite the knowledge of how different we seem to be in so many ways. We are actual beings who constantly long for a common ground in which we may seem separated to the world. I have conquered a knowledge in which I so longingly wanted to acquire.

The experiences I had in a span of one week is quite extraordinary. It started with an idea of wanting to be a diplomat. The pursuit of wanting to do good far from the deceived beauty that life has become. As the opportunity finally introduced itself i find myself in between the feelings of joy and incoherent want to stay comfortable with the life that had succumbed me- living idle. My expectations were never met for I thought that I would not enjoy the exact escape I wanted in the first place. It was truly an eventful week. Surrounding myself with a group of young adults which broadened my philosophy of life. These people that was once strangers had become friends and the joy of being their friend made a memory that will forever be burning at the back of my mind.

It may very well be said that I have yet to understand such knowledge that the universe may offer however such knowledge may very well be unsatisfactory without moral beliefs and the love of friends and family.

Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs

2011-06-01T12:07:00.009+08:00

By Ji-Le Tolimao

Somewhere after your "teen years" you reach a point where you start to doubt yourself and the world. Questions like "what is next for me out there," "did I really make the right decision this time," is the world ever gonna change," or something like "how do I trust again," or "when will my next raise be," pop out of your mind.

And that's when the World Youth Alliance comes into picture. It's a funny story really how I met WYA. I signed up for the organization during the 4th MDG Summit, thinking that it was, in the words of my late grandpa, "an interesting blob in this crazy world." Sometime in June in 2010, I received an e-mail from WYA thanking me for showing interest and inviting me to join it's other activities. I replied. Fast forward, Ate Ren, the Regional Director for Asia Pacific, invited me to meet up in Davao City (where I am studying). It was a cloudy afternoon in my parents' city and they've just finished watching the suspense movie "Taken." For some reason they called me and asked where I was. Being the kid who hates explaining things, I told them I was going to some hotel to meet a Chinese lady I met online (which is true). I hate lying to my parents; but at the same time, I hate explaining to them, so I told them something which is not really true and at the same time not at all false. So my mom panicked, my dad got angry and that's how I met WYA.

When I was invited to do the Track A training online for members, I was hesitant. I claimed that I loved reading (which Lord knows I do really); but after seeing the 300 page philosophies and whatnot that I was required to read (even if I can actually do it on my 'own pace'), I felt like my senses died right then and there. So I decided to skip it and learn about WYA from it's website- Never did it cross my mind that I had to actually read these pages in the future.

My curiosity about WYA peaked when I heard its stand on the RH Bill. It was against it. Being the youth who has always been a supporter of the Bill and so full of questions, I finally decided to get an internship with WYA in March 2011as part of my on-the-job training in my university. Luckily, I got accepted before UNFPA e-mailed me and the U.S. Embassy called me that I got accepted into their offices too. But for some reason again, I chose World Youth Alliance. You wanna know why? Ask my hypothalamus. SO packed with my necessities, my OJT uniform and my Spanish 101 book- which I never got the chance to review, by the way-I traveled to Manila. And lo-and-behold! First day in the office, guess who welcomed me? Drum roll please! The Track-A Manual in all it's glory- printed and bounded this time! How devious indeed.

Being an intern in WYA taught me creativity and patience when everything you devised for your assigned project(s) don't go as planned, consideration and perseverance when my housemates have all these bizarre cultural practices and beliefs, excellence when picking choices, independence and innovation when making decisions, friendship among peoples with various backgrounds and most importantly, value on myself and my relationships- with my family, friends and even strangers. But even with all these concepts of love, family solidarity, dignity and freedom being taught to us and even with the discussions I had with Ate Des, the Regional Director for Operations, I still have the feeling that it is not enough- that something was lacking. You know that feeling when you are ready to leave your home and yet you feel like you forgot something? That is what I felt. I may have understood the gist of all the chapters in the Track-A Training Manual; But I still did not really understand what WYA is and why does it go so far as to protect this dignity of the human person and stuff like that. I know what you're thinking. I am an intern so I should know the answers to the questions to these questions by now. But it doesn't go that way actually. As a kid with lots of things to learn yet, I want to know more. And I mean MORE. I want to understand WYA more. Since I was in high school, I've always believed in the practicality and reality of things around me. Then here comes a group of youths who try to tell me the opposite thing: believe in the power of humanity. It was hard on my part to shift beliefs so suddenly and to trust again because of past experiences. Nevertheless, my mind was beginning to question itself again.

So when I heard about the WYA Summer Camp, despite the fact that it was expensive for a student like me- considering that all my savings go to a kid that I am sponsoring in school- I decided to join the Camp. To be frank, I joined for three reasons: one, because I wanted to go swimming in the beach- what is summer without the beach? Two, because my parents did not allow me to go mountain climbing during my fellow intern, Joanne's dignity project in Batangas- so I bargained with my parents. And three, because I was seriously desperate to understand WYA.

Coming to the Camp as a participant, was worth it all, to be honest. It was one of my best summers. And frankly, I felt more empowered and learned after reading the 300-page Manual. It wasn't sayang at all. God knows how much mental and emotional- even physical- stresses I've been though the whole week at the Camp! Nonetheless, I truly enjoyed the lively sharings, and the interactive discussions, the everyday jokes, the heartwarming laughters, the sweet smiles, the corny remarks, the midnight study groups, the love stories brewing, the brief exchange of ideas and talents and the simple Hellos from everyone. Despite the age gaps and other dissimilarities, we were able to reconcile our differences and were able to reach out to each other.

Before the day of the Summer Camp came, i was actually worried that I might not be welcomed or that I might not fit in with the rest of the group- so I did what I was best with: wearing my silly smile and talking in the most country-tone that my voice can get. But differences be damned. I realized that I can actually be one with them. The warmth of the friendship and everyday exchange of words let me feel special. Indeed it might take a while before I shift my opinions entirely from one boat to another. One week is not enough really. But one thing for sure, those points when I started to doubt myself and the world are soon about to change. And I got to understand WYA better. Imagine that.

My experience with the WYA 2011 Summer Campers was one heck of an experience. I will definitely miss Lui's "ahh, no!" moments with all the insects around the area, Alex's jukebox random moments, my team mates Celeen and Miko's continuous sweet pestering, Kuya Art's 14x optical zoom camera, Kuya Jan's Glee IPOD Disco nights , Cath's Labada 101 tutorial, Ate Nicole's red marks on my papers, Lovely's wild sleeping poses, Darren's extremely stupid but funny comments, Ate Ren and Ate Des'- uh, well, we will see each other at the office after this, and Kuya Joe's big, round head. Two pages of yellow pad paper are not enough (yes, I'm writing on yellow papers). It's an experience of a lifetime indeed. The memories I've made with WYA will always be with me- garnishing me of important life values- like meatballs on my pasta.