14th AYLC aims to win hearts and minds

MANILA, Philippines - Eighty-one of the country’s most promising youth leaders will attend the 14th National Ayala Young Leaders Congress (AYLC) in Alfonso, Cavite from Feb. 7 to 10.

With the theme, “Winning Hearts and Minds: Changing Paradigms,” the congress will have Education Secretary Bro. Armin Luistro as keynote speaker on Feb. 8.

This year’s AYLC aims to challenge participants to bring meaningful change to their schools and communities by winning the hearts and minds of the communities they serve.

“We want our participants to realize that the work of leadership and bringing about change necessarily involves winning and transforming the hearts and minds of the communities they lead,” says AYLC program director John Philip Orbeta.

Delegates of the congress come from a broad range of disciplines and were chosen not only for their academic achievement but also for their involvement in their respective schools or communities. The 81 delegates were chosen from 809 applicants from across the Philippines. They represent 56 higher education institutions including the Philippine Military Academy, the Philippine National Police Academy, and seminaries such as Mother of Good Counsel Seminary, Rogationist Seminary College and the St. Augustine Seminary.

AYLC delegates will participate in four days of lectures, panel discussions, workshops and outdoor activities designed to hone their leadership potential and inspire them to lead lives of integrity and to work for the good of their community and country.

Aside from Luistro, notable figures from government, business, and the socio-civic and arts sectors will share their personal experiences in servant leadership. These include Philippine Air Force Commanding General Lt. Gen. Oscar Rabena, Ligao City Mayor Linda Gonzales, musician Noel Cabangon and GMA7 journalist Kara David.

Also returning to the congress are AYLC alumni who will help inspire this year’s group of young leaders.

The Ayala Young Leaders Congress is the flagship program for youth development created in 1999 by the Ayala group of companies as a concrete expression of its commitment to national development. Now on its 14th year, AYLC continues to fuel the dream of nurturing a corps of servant leaders who will use their leadership to help uplift the lives of Filipinos.