The first part of the Democracy Forum 2023: Youth Peace in Action (Empowering Youth Through Peace Building) was a powerful reminder of the incredible potential of the youth in promoting peace and building a better future. This joint effort with the International Peace Diplomacy Corps, Inc. brought together over 100+ attendees from JCI Central Visayas Chapters, JJC, University Students, and Young professionals. The topic on Empowering Youth through Peace Building was both timely and inspiring, as we look towards a more peaceful and just world.
We are grateful to Ryan Enriquez, Former Chairperson and CEO at National Youth Commission, for his inspiring message at the opening of the forum. His call to help one another and to empower the youth is a testament to the importance of working together towards a common goal. The Democracy Forum is a platform that enables people to participate and contribute to the values and principles of democracy, allowing everyone to speak and be heard.
We also want to express our gratitude to Mr. Rey Runtgen Martin L. del Rosario, IPDCI Chairman, for his invaluable contribution to making the Democracy Forum a reality. His commitment to empowering youth and promoting peace-building is a source of inspiration for all of us. Through Democracy, we can all empower each other’s participation while safeguarding the values and principles of democracy. We believe that by using our voices as a transformative force, we can create positive change.
The guest speaker of the event, H.E. Juha Markus Pyykkoe, Ambassador Extraordinary & Plenipotentiary Embassy of the Republic of Finland to the Republic of the Philippines, highlighted the crucial role of young people in maintaining and promoting international peace and security. He emphasized the need to involve youth in official decision-making and peace processes, especially in fragile countries. The UN Security Council Resolution 2250 recognizes the importance of youth in peace and security and outlines five key pillars of action. We believe that by focusing on these pillars, we can empower the youth and create a more peaceful and just world for all. Let us all continue to work together towards a brighter future for the youth and for generations to come.
