Driving Beyond Convergence! BU delegates at national youth conference; to take part in USAID Opportunity 2.0 for out-of-school youth

Three Bicol University representatives attended the two-day USAID Opportunity 2.0 conference dubbed Program National Youth Development Alliance Summit at the Dusit Thani Residences, Davao City, on February 22 to 23, 2023.

They were BU-NSTP HERO Focal Person Ivy Jensen A. Jacob, USC Chairperson and Student Regent Asher Jade Azul, and GEP-BUSC Internal Vice President Rex Martin Aligan.

With the needs and potentials of our valuable out-of-school youth in mind, key players and stakeholders from 15 cities across the country attended the activity in celebration of its fourth year of implementation in the Philippines.

As one of the youth representatives, Jefrey Latigay, BU-USC Junior Councilor and concurrent Chairperson of TAYO, Inc., highlighted current efforts to enhance youth programs such as youth assessment, planning, and evaluation, as well as the preparation of the ordinance for “Climate HERO” under which youth will train for environmental advocacy and resilience. Cathlea Madrona, who is also from BU, was present at the said summit representing TAYO, Inc.

“The challenges faced by youth demand a whole-of-community approach and the YDA is our response. Based on what we are seeing, it remains the most impactful and sustainable approach.” — USAID Mission Director Ryan Washburn in a speech that officially opened the summit.

It can be noted that the university has partnered and collaborated with USAID Opportunity 2.0 to support OSYs in Legazpi City through the implementation and inclusion of Higher Education Readiness Orientation (HERO) in its National Service Training Program Curriculum. (by Rex Martin Aligan)