We, the young people in Mindanao, representing more than 50 organizations of Indigenous Peoples, Moro, Settlers, after going through a series of consultations and consensus building in Southern Mindanao, Western Mindanao, Northern Mindanao and Central Mindanao Regions that lead to the Young People?s Summit, do hereby state the following:
– The Young Peoples of Mindanao are significant stakeholders in Peace and development processes that affect the lives and future of our communities, our respective peoples and the entire Mindanao;
– As young peoples, we have the rights, capabilities and commitment to participate in charting policies and other undertakings that promote our entitlement of survival, protection and development;
– Being the representatives of the future generation, we are concern of the issues affecting the young people such as poverty, discrimination, lack of access or deprivation of basic social services, militarization, displacement and inadequate recognition of our rights.
Thus, we do hereby commit ourselves to work together to enhance and widen the solidarity among the Indigenous Peoples, Moro and Settlers towards attaining sustainable peace and development in Mindanao.
In particular, we bind ourselves to work for the following agenda:
For the Young People
– Strengthen the link and network of the young people;
– Encourage greater participation of young people to the grassroots ceasefire monitoring, particularly on its implications on young people;
– Promote interfaith and intercultural dialogue, and conduct awareness raising activities;
– Integrate the YPS agenda in the programs and plans of our respective organizations and networks;
– Access to information eg., National Commission on IP for dissemination to the ranks of the young people;
– Assist the Out of School Youth in accessing the government programs and services for OSY;
– Review program and policies and come up with a position paper critiquing the policies on OSY;
– Engage the National Youth Commission, LGUs, DILG, DSWD, DepEd, DOH and all other relevant government agencies, and access their programs and services;
– Commit the total participation of the network in enhancing their capacity to implement programs for the youth.
For the Government of the Republic of the Philippines
– Integrate the history of the Peoples in Mindanao in the educational System;
– Promote Culture of Peace
– Reposition of military troops away from civilian communities consistent with their commitments with the ceasefire agreement on security aspect;
– Rehabilitation programs and design should be culturally appropriate and child responsive, and in consultation with affected communities;
– Review the textbooks and other learning materials to correct the information indicated therein pertaining to Mindanao history, culture of people, and aspirations;
– Ensure the mandatory recognition and representation of the indigenous people in the local councils as mandated in RA 8371;
– Urge GRP to conduct proper consultation among the stakeholders regarding their plan to integrate NCIP to the Department of Land Reform;
– Hold information campaign and consider the position of the affected communities, including the young people, on the impact of the Dam projects (Polangui Dam 5 in Bukidnon and 6 in Cotabato);
– Intensify action against illegal logging and for environmental protection;
– Improve policies and programs that address the needs of Out of School Youth;
– Conduct consultations with the youth to create or develop specific and culturally responsive curriculum;
– Urge the Council for the Welfare of Children (CWC), National Anti-Poverty Commission (NAPC), and the Commission on Human Rights-Child’s Rights Center (CHR-CRC) and other relevant government agency to take action on the monitoring and protection of children and young [people in Mindanao.
For both the GRP and MILF
– Transparency and accountability on the peace process and agreements;
– Conduct widespread information drive on the peace process to reach out to larger numbers of people especially the young people;
– Access of the young people to information regarding the peace process;
– Encourage both parties in conflict to ensure the inclusion of the concerns of the young people in the agreements;
– Recognize and respect community-based initiatives on peace-building including culturally responsive ways of conflict resolution and management;
– Recognize and promote “Children as Zone of Peace”
Signed by:
AKMK- Alyansa ng Kabataang Mindanao para sa Kapayapaan
AYM-LAFCCOD- Alliance Youth Movement-Lanao Aquamarine Fisheries
Center for Community Development
BALAY Rehabilitation Center Inc.
CCCM- Campus Catholic Center Ministry-Iligan City
CCF- Christian Children?s Fund- Basilan
Chrislam- Christian Muslim Youth Organization (Pikit, Cotabato)
ChrisMusHigh
CYM- Catholic Youth Ministry
DYL- Democratic Youth League
GYO- Ginatilan Youth Organization
Katilingban sa Kalabuan
KYO- Kalakacan Youth Organization
LKM- Liga ng Kabataang Moro
LIHUK-Youth- Lig-ong Hiniusang Kusog sa Kabus-Dakbayan
LMK- Liga ng Makabagong Kabataan
MALUPA- Manobo Lumadnong Panaghiousa sa Arakan Valley
MSPC- Mindanao-Sulu Pastoral Conference- Youth Secretariat
MaguIL- Maguindanao Ilocano Youth Movement
MIYM- Minsupala Islamic Youth Movement
MIMA- Mindanao Integrity Muslim Association
MPC- Mindanao People?s Caucus
Nagdilaab Foundation
NIMUSFA-LAFCCOD- Nipa-Nipa Muslim Fisherfolk Association- Lanao
Aquamarine Fisheries Center for Community Development
PAZ- Peace Advocates Zamboanga Foundation
PAKABANA- Pakighiusa Kabatan-onan alang sa Bag-ong Naawan
PMCYO- Panicupan Muslim Christian Youth Organization
PYA- Putuan Youth Association
PYAP- Pag-asa Youth Association of the Philippines
SABITAN
SKM- Sandigan ng Kabataang Moro
SubTriYO-NaTaBukFed- Southern Bukidnon Tribal Youth Organization
Suntuan Youth Association ?Jolo
Task Force Kalilintad
TaYO- Takepan Youth Organization
TBYO- Tagabakid- Balay Youth Organization
TLYSA- Teduray-Lambangian Youth and Student Association
TUMAHIK- Tumpukan Makanak Hikahap- Basilan
UnYPAD- United Youth for Peace and Development
UnyPhil- United Youth of the Philippines
YPC- Yuhai Peer Club
ZYPO- Zamboanga Youth for Peace Organization