Global Peace Festival Foundation
Philippines
GPFF Philippines Co-Organizes Global Youth Summit to “Equip, Engage and Empower” Filipino and International Youth Leaders
“Seize the power. Be the change.” – Mr. James Flynn (Global Youth Summit-Philippines, December 8, 2011)
With the theme, “Equip, Engage and Empower,” 1,344 student leaders, educators and youth advocates packed the Skydome of SM North Edsa in Quezon City, Philippines for the Global Youth Summit on December 8, 2011.
The event participated by young leaders not only from the Philippines but also from countries such as Portugal, New Zealand, Australia and Korea, aims to motivate and impact the future leaders on several issues pertaining to economic, social, cultural and developmental aspects of leadership.
In her message, Ms. Joan Florentino, President of AIESEC in the Philippines (AIESEC is world’s largest student-run organization and GPFF Philippines’ partner for the Global Youth Summit) and a student leader from the University of the Philippines, shared how leaders are commonly stereotyped as intelligent, wise and articulate, and that there seems to have a lot of requirements to become a leader.
“When we are in kindergarten, we are asked to follow the leader. Following the examples of Mahatma Gandhi, Mother Theresa or Jose Rizal, we are expected to create a dramatic change. Sometimes we forget the little things and values in order to be a good leader. I’ve learned that leadership is influence. It’s changing how people think or changing how people act. I’ve learned that no matter how small the act is, what’s important is the task in hand, what’s important is you deliver,” she added.
Aside from citing the importance of understanding their connection in the global community and promoting cross-cultural understanding, the summit focuses on ‘Leadership in a Constantly Changing World’ (Equip); ‘Innovation in Action’ (Engage); and ‘Making an Impact’ (Empower) among young leaders in the campus and the community.
Invited speakers include Mr. Paolo Benigno Aquino, IV (President, Ten Accomplished Youth Organizations Awards’ Foundation, Inc.); Atty. Alex Lacson (Author, 12 Little Things Every Filipino Can Do to Help the Country);
Ms. Alodia Gosiengfiao (Artist, Blogger and International Cosplay Icon); Mr. James & Phil Younghusband (Professional Football Players, Philippine Team Azkals’ Ambassadors and Founders of The Younghusband’s Football Academy); Ms. Therese “Gang” Badoy (Rock Ed Founder, one of The Outstanding Women in the Nation’s Service (TOWNS) and Ten Outstanding Young Men (TOYM) Awardee); Mr. Kiko Aquino Dee (Ninoy and Cory Aquino Foundation, Political Science Student and Active Youth Advocate); Mr. Brian Quebengco (Inovent Inc., Founder, Chief Inoventor and the only “Strength Coach” in the Philippines); Mr. Anthony Pangilinan (First Filipino AIESEC International President, Chief Disturber of BusinessWorks and Motivational Speaker); and Mr. James Flynn (GPFF International Senior Vice President).
Mr. Flynn shared GPFF’s Core Values and its framework for Values-based Leadership which the young leaders earnestly listened to. Other speakers also shared their noble experiences on how they continuously shape and enhance different local and international communities. They also shared how their commitments in working towards cultivating ethical responsibility and uplifting the lives of others prove that one person can create change and influence society.
After the lectures, group discussions and breakout sessions transpired between all participants,-both local and international- which gave them the opportunity for dialogues and exchanges of ideas and discourses about how they can positively impact the global world.
Mr. Albert Cuna, Chief of Staff of the Mayor Quezon City, expressed Mayor Herbert Bautista’s “support on the campaign of the youth as productive members of the society.” Moreover, he firmly advised every participant to “channel their youthful energy as proactive members and partners of the government, not only in the city, the Philippines, but also the world.”
Also present in the event are Mr. Royston Cabuñag (SM Cares Youth and Children’s Welfare Program Director) and Ms. Annie S. Garcia (SM Supermalls President, Philippine’s largest chain of supermalls) who gave the welcome remarks and opening message respectively. Global Youth Summit was made possible through the partnership of AIESEC in the Philippines, SM Cares, SM Youth and Children’s Welfare Committee, National Youth Commission, GPYC- Philippines and GPFF- Philippines.