Moro NGO invited by Thai Youth Movement for Good Governance

Posted to the MILF Website (Apr 29): Moro NGO invited by Thai Youth Movement for Good Governance

The United Youth for Peace and Development (UNYPAD), a Bangsamoro youth-run organization in Southern Philippines, sent its Deputy Secretary General for Administration Datuan M. Magon to share with youths from Thailand, Cambodia and Indonesia UNYPAD’s experiences on youth empowerment, community organizing and peace advocacy during the International Conference on the role of Youth in Strengthening Democracy and Governance held Grand Sukhumvit Hotel, Bangkok, Thailand on April 26-27, 2013.

Some 160 youths leaders in different parts of Thailand attended the forum.

The invitation was relayed by USAID SAPAN Program and Youth Care Thailand.

The aim of the conference is to bring together Youth leaders from Thailand, Myanmar, Cambodia, Indonesia and the Philippines to discuss challenges and opportunities in promoting good governance and citizen actions.

Magon’s presentation was divided into two parts. During April 26, his presentation anchored on introduction of UNYPAD to the participants. He explained to them that UNYPAD’s existence was a product of hard work, patience and perseverance. Aside from focusing on community and youth empowerment, he further explained that they also play a very important role in the Government of the Philippines (GPH) – Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) peace process.

On April 27, he delivered his second topic entitled “Youth and Community Organizing: The UNYPAD Experience” wherein he shared some tips and strategy they adopted that has resulted to establishment of 18 UNYPAD provincial chapters.

Before proceeding to his main discussion, Magon first presented brief history of Mindanao conflict and important roles Bangsamoro youth plays in its peaceful resolution.

“In organizing youths and communities, dedication and sincerity is the most important. You have to love what you are doing… you will encounter many challenges… not all the time you will succeed… sometimes you will fail… you will learn a lot… and this lessons will provide you maturity and wisdom as you go along the way”, he ended.

When asked about his insights on the South Thailand insurgency during the open forum, Magon replied “The Bangsamoro problem and the Melayu Muslim dilemma in Southern most provinces of Thailand are political problem. The bombings and killings that are now happening are just a product of the deeper situation. This cannot be solved by infrastructure development or any counter-insurgency measures. Since it is a political problem. Then the solution must be political, that is to dig-up and solve the root-cause of the problem”.

Among the other international speakers invited were: Anthony Luigi B. De Vera from Youth Vote Philippines, Lawrence Angelo B. Catigbak from One Million Lights projects, Ms. Yet Sokha and Mok Sokha from Khmer Youth Association in Cambodia and Renny Dwiastuti and Marni Lucinda from Red Nose Foundation in Indonesia.

One of the highlight of the activity was the formulation of a network for all organizations including their international guests. A committee was tasked to draft its concept paper and rationale but for the meantime they choose administrators to facilitate on-discussions.

SAPAN has been very active in supporting youth empowerment in Thailand for the advancement of genuine democracy in their country as its goal is to foster constructive civil society engagement with the Royal Thai Government as a means to build consensus for democratic political process and to mitigate extremism.
Thailand youths are not yet empowered as compared to youths in the Philippines. Organizers believed inputs shared by different presenters would contribute a lot in developing their skills in their struggle for democratization of their country.

http://www.luwaran.net/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=3145:moro-ngo-invited-by-thai-youth-movement-for-good-governance&catid=31:general&Itemid=41