The Philippine delegation to the Conference was comprised of (L-R) Ms. Huda Aldanie, OPAPP Assistant Secretary Maria Cecilia Papa, Permanent Representative of the Philippines to ASEAN, Ambassador Elizabeth P. Buensuceso, Ms. Kriselle Aquino and Mr. Jude Natividad.
Youth representatives from all ten ASEAN Member States gathered in Jakarta, Indonesia on 19-20 October 2018 for the ASEAN Institute for Peace and Reconciliation (ASEAN-IPR) Regional Youth Conference on Peace and Tolerance. The Youth Conference, organized by the Government of Indonesia under the auspices of the ASEAN–IPR, was headlined by Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno L.P. Marsudi.
The Philippines was represented by 21-year old Huda Aldanie, 23-year old Kriselle Aquino and 21-year old Jude Natividad. They were nominated by the Philippine National Youth Commission (NYC) and the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP).
During the Conference, Ms. Aquino, who works at the OPAPP Conflict Prevention and Management Unit, underscored the importance of elevating the stories and narratives of peace on social media to maximize their impacts as important tools for sustainable conflict prevention and resolution. Ms. Aldanie, who is a member of the Mindanao-based Madaris Volunteer Program, emphasized the crucial role that education plays in combatting violent extremism. Mr. Jude Natividad, founder of the youth organization named Sangguniang Kabataan Tayo and Pag-Asa (SKTAP), a youth organization which means “We Are the Hope,” is proud to say that he is a former street child who has risen above many challenges. He acknowledged the great opportunity to participate in the Conference to share his insights with other youths of ASEAN.
The ASEAN Institute for Peace and Reconciliation (ASEAN-IPR), based in Jakarta, Indonesia, is the ASEAN Institution for research activities on peace, conflict management and conflict resolution. It is led by a Governing Council which is comprised of representatives from all ten ASEAN Member States. Ambassador Elizabeth P. Buensuceso, Permanent Representative of the Philippines to ASEAN, serves as the country’s representative to the ASEAN-IPR Governing Council. END.
