Youths told: Help solve conflicts in community

Recognizing their mobilizing capacity, youth leaders were urged to exercise their rights to eradicate conflicts in their respective communities.

During a three-day peace and human rights seminar held in Cebu recently, peace advocates called on the 46 youth leaders from different parts of the Visayas to participate and exercise good governance to help eradicate conflicts.

The activity, which was spearheaded by Gaston Z. Ortigas Peace Institute (GZO), Generation Peace and Cebu Labor Education Advocacy and Research Center, focused on addressing the strife in the respective provinces where the participants came from and to let the youth recognize their roles by being assertive and not being aggressive.

“Youths also have their human rights,” Bebing Morada, a staff of CLEAR emphasized.

She said the youths should not let themselves be used by some politicians and urged them to always practice good governance.

“They are our future leaders, and the youth sector is different. We want to eradicate the mentality of ‘trapo’. Let’s deviate from the cycle of traditional politicians. We should exercise the good governance, in accordance with the local government code of 1991,” Morada said.

Atty. Gloria Ramos, who was one of the guest speakers, emphasized that respect on youth should be nurtured and valued. “In attaining peace, law should be respected,” she added.

For his part, Edmundo Garcia, senior political adviser of International Alert Peace and Security said that youth sector have the capacity to lead because they have the potential to call on other young people to unite.

“I’m here because I know that you are capable of doing something better. You have the capacity to become leaders,” Garcia said. “What democracy entails is space to articulate your thoughts to mobilize them.”

Garcia said one of the best ways to solve a conflict is to pause and reflect, uphold the rule of law, and follow the democratic process. — Cressida Paula G.Delmo/WAB