SDSN Youth Philippines Participates in the 1st Philippine Youth Convention on SDG Localization

The network was represented by Rafaella Villena, Network Coordinator of SDSN Youth Philippines, alongside COSCA Volunteer Regina Gorospe. The two-day convention served as a platform for dialogue, collaboration, and knowledge-sharing among delegates to advance the localization of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in their communities. Through keynote presentations, plenary discussions, and networking sessions, the event emphasized the critical role of youth participation in sustainable development initiatives.

The first day featured a series of insightful discussions led by resource speakers from diverse fields, each offering perspectives on youth-led action for SDG localization. The discussions highlighted the importance of engaging young people as active partners in development through multi-sectoral collaboration. Topics also included youth-led innovation in renewable energy and digitalization as drivers of inclusive and resilient local economies. Speakers also addressed the importance of education, particularly ensuring youth access to learning opportunities that empower them, as well as on the right of all to access quality healthcare. Examples of community development projects that integrate these principles were also presented, highlighting approaches to promote sustainable development across different sectors.

Among the key highlights of the first day was the Ceremonial Induction and Conferment of Membership of participants to the United Nations Youth Association of the Philippines (UNYAP). To officially welcome the new members, a Pinning Ceremony was conducted by Ramona Ines R. Bustamante-Raneses, JD, PhD, National President of the United Nations Association of the Philippines (UNAP).

Another major highlight was the 2030 NOW: Youth SDG Impact Awards, which recognized outstanding Filipino youth leaders and youth-led initiatives advancing the SDGs at the grassroots level. Among the awardees was SKHIVA: The Sangguniang Kabataan HIV Agenda under Positibong Pasigueño, which received the Catalyst Award for Most Outstanding and Transformative Localized SDG Implementation. SKHIVA is Positibong Pasigueño Inc.’s flagship program designed to equip Sangguniang Kabataan officials with sufficient and accurate knowledge on HIV through trainings and workshops, ensuring concrete action and funding for their HIV-focused initiatives in their SK’s annual youth development plans.

On the second day, participants were grouped into breakout sessions to conceptualize community-level projects aimed at supporting the implementation of the SDGs. Each group then presented their proposed initiatives, including “Mama, Papa, Paano Ako Ginawa?”, a community-based comprehensive sexuality education program developed by one of the UNYAP Luzon groups and presented by SDSN Youth Network Coordinator Rafaella Villena. The project adopts a family life and child development approach to address issues related to sexual and reproductive health. Following the project presentations, the convention concluded with the election of UNYAP Officers for the Luzon, Visayas, Mindanao, and National chapters.

Overall, the 1st Philippine Youth Convention on SDG Localization served as a meaningful platform for Filipino youth to come together to learn from one another, recognize existing initiatives, and explore innovative ways to operationalize the Sustainable Development Goals on the ground, transforming these ambitious global goals into tangible, community-oriented targets that respond to local realities. The convention also provided a valuable opportunity for SDSN Youth Philippines to build relationships with passionate young leaders and help connect them to collaborative opportunities, enabling them to work together in creating solutions for sustainable development.