By Dhel Sue Cabiara
Leadership skills and strategies learned from the Silliman University Student Government Advocacy Committee propelled chairperson Bianca Ysabel Muñoz to represent the youth to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals Youth (UN SDGs) Convergence last Nov. 20 at Puerto Princesa.
Muñoz joined other youth leaders across the Philippines in a four-day program and workshops to deepen their understanding of community issues and sustainable development.
According to her, there were helpful strategies on logistical concerns in relation to her leadership in an event-based committee.
“Since the Advocacy Committee handles numerous major events every semester and is often one of the busiest committees, I took home a renewed sense of responsibility,” she explained.
The SUSG AdvoComm annually organized events such as the Sillimanians Got Talent during Hibalag and Sillimove, a charity-based campus event.
The convergence also aimed to advance sustainable development in communities through plenary talks, panel discussions, community immersions, and skills-building workshops.
It featured five workshops including PEACE, which was focused on promoting justice, peace, and prosperity.
Muñoz shared how her experience in the workshop relates to her role as a chairperson and an activist.
“In the Advocacy Committee, we don’t just focus on planned advocacy events, we serve as activists who ensure every Sillimanian is heard,” she said.
She stressed the importance of “working the talk” by leading as an example for people to understand the value of activism.
Moreover, the chairperson said that the workshop made her reflect on how the youth can use their platform to speak about change and improving systems.
She furthered that she hopes to bring an intentional planning strategy into future programs of the AdvoComm to “make them more meaningful to students.”
“This is something we can apply when designing activities for the Advocacy Committee. Something amusing, something new, and something that just speaks to the heart,” Muñoz said.
The convergence, annually organized by the UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network and Children’s Fund, also celebrated the 10th anniversary of the SDGs.
