International Youth Day 2017 #Philippines

Through the Core Conveners of Youth and Student for Peace in the Philippines, International Youth Day 2017 was celebrated through a conference for young people with the theme, “Youth Building Peace.” The event was held in Manila City on August 12, 2017 at the Eulogio Amang Rodriguez Institute of Science and Technology (EARIST), which was attended by three hundred select student participants from different colleges and universities in Manila, and neighboring provinces such as: EARIST, University of Caloocan City (UCC), Universidad De Manila (UDM), Technological University of the Philippines (TUP) Manila, TUP Taguig, TUP Batangas, Polytechnic University of the Philippines (PUP), Rizal Technological University (RTU) and International Peace Leadership College (IPLC).

The conference was very timely as it coincided with the commemoration of International Youth Day (IYD) 2017 which is dedicated to celebrating young people’s contribution to conflict preventions and transformation, as well as the inclusion of social justice and sustainable peace. The conference started with an invocation followed by the singing of the Philippine National Anthem. An atmosphere of excitement grew as the emcee, Ms. Jenny Rose V. Mendoza, began introducing the delegates coming from universities. The welcoming remarks for youth were given by Youth and Students for Peace (YSP) International President, Dr. Robert S. Kittel.

For the entertainment segment of the program, young participants from Japan wearing fascinating and colorful Kimonos shared their talents through two compelling dance performances.