The push for a sustainable future continues. The young people of the National Youth Council are at the front of the charge.
The NYC is the youth arm of WWF-Philippines. Supporting the organization’s conservation advocacy, the NYC works closely with the youth in developing their environmental consciousness.
The World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) Philippines recently welcomed the latest batch of National Youth Council (NYC) members into its fold. Young environmental champions from across the country have joined the Panda family as spokespersons for the planet.
Now on its third batch, the NYC continues with its mission of inspiring young people, as an all-new set of environmental leaders take to the helm of conservation.
Brilliant students and enterprising fresh graduates alike make up the third batch of the NYC. High school student Ganden Medved-Po joins University students Emmanuel Mirus Ponon and Roana Mae Caguliodo. Graduate of BS Chemical Engineering Justin Richmond Domingo and European Studies Major in International Relations Giselle Lapid also joins the team.
Reprising their roles in the NYC, meanwhile, are Romina Lim and Gab Mejia. A marine scientist, Romina advocates for the protection of our seas, while National Geographic explorer Gab uses photography and the storytelling arts to move people towards caring for the planet.
For Ganden, serving with the NYC is an opportunity both to learn, and to share his learning with others. “For the youth of today, I encourage them to pique their curiosity and strive to keep on learning. Without learning, no change would be possible and as we learn and explore the modern world, we can use our curiosity to inform ourselves on current events surrounding us,” said Ganden.
For returning member Romina, the goal remains the same – to ingrain sustainability into everyones’ day-to-day lives, from the way the country is run down to an individual level. “Environmental sustainability is something that should be mainstreamed and integrated into all our lives for us to have a liveable society,” said Romina.
“For many years, the voices of the youth have always been silenced thinking that the youth still have so much to learn about the world,” said Justin. “I believe this shouldn’t be the case anymore. We, as the youth, have an active role in playing our part to secure our future.”
Recent years have seen the youth raising their voices and taking to bigger stages with their calls to protect the planet. At protests and forums they have demanded world leaders to take better care of the Earth, while inspiring others to do otherwise with their leadership and their day-to-day lives.
For the past five years the young people of the NYC have touched the hearts of Filipinos across the country. The latest batch is poised to do the same. This #WorldNatureConservationDay, the NYC continues its fight for a future where man lives in harmony with nature.
