Play advocacy, an inter-generational responsibility – youth group

For this group of young people from Positive Youth Development Network, Ideas Positive, and Heads Up PH, to promote and protect play as a matter of right of every child is an inter-generational responsibility. At young age, born from a generation wherein play was an essential part of childhood life, they believed that the power of play must be restored to benefit the holistic well-being of the younger generation. Much more, this generation has transformed play from the fun and active neighborhood activities to digital ones which are more sedentary. It is also worth noting that the value of play has already declined in the country.

A strict perusal of major legislation in the country would reveal that play is one of the neglected areas in child’s development. Our programs mainly focused on nutrition, education, and health. There is nothing wrong with this, but it would be far more beneficial if we employ play as one of the modalities in our programs and initiatives.

Play should not be viewed as an isolated island to be explored when convenient, instead it must be treated as an indispensable element wherein derogation is not allowed.

This year’s National Play Advocacy has reached 15 regions of the country reaching over 200,000 Filipinos. So far this is the largest Play Advocacy Campaign in the country since its conception last 2018. The Play Coalition which is the lead of this year’s campaign is very thankful to all the organizations and institutions who helped in promoting #PlayAsARight last week. Special mention to the Council for the welfare of children who faithfully believed in this advocacy since Day 1.

Like any other rights, play is exclusively mentioned in the enumeration provided by the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) which the Philippines is a signatory. These young people are now anchoring their campaign on Article 31 of the CRC. I see this as  one of the smartest strategies exercised in the history of youth engagement.

For them, they are just starting the movement. They are set to launch a much bigger campaign next year, until a national declaration is in order.

 

After South Korea, Iron Lady trumpets ‘fresh perspectives’ in PH

After fulfilling her childhood dream of spending vacation in South Korea, the Koreanovela enthusiast and the Iron Lady of Ideas Positive delivers her talk before members of the Unilab Foundation family. She expounds on her own take of the term “Iron Lady”.

She admitted that she doesn’t like to be called Iron Lady because the label can be interpreted in various ways. She proposed instead to view Iron Lady as a trait of a woman capable of hurdling effectively the challenges of everyday life. She also sends a strong message of hope and resilience asking the youth to find the courage to speak whenever there is a need.

#Mutya