A PARTNERSHIP between Xavier University - Ateneo de Cagayan and Northern Illinois University (NIU) has been formed for the implementation of the Philippine Youth Leadership Program 2019 (PYLP).
The said program will bring opportunities for the two universities to strengthen their roles in youth leadership and peace and development in Mindanao.
PYLP is a program for high school student leaders from diverse communities (Christians, Muslims, and Lumads) in Mindanao to participate in a month-long leadership training in the United States of America, particularly in NIU in DeKalb, Illinois, and concluding with a brief educational visit to Washington DC.
Upon their return to the Philippines, the participants implement their self-led projects that promote the following themes: civic engagement, youth leadership, respect for diversity, and community engagement.
PYLP is lodged under the Arrupe Educational Center (AEC) of the XU School of Education and funded by the US Department of State - Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs.
In a courtesy meeting on September 16 with Xavier Ateneo president Fr Roberto C Yap SJ, AEC director Maria Victoria Bicbic Trinidad said that XU’s role is to oversee the recruitment, screening, and selection of youth and adult participants for the PYLP.
“We have seen the many works of Xavier University in terms of youth leadership and development here in Mindanao so we decided to tap Xavier to be our partner,” said Eric Jones, director of NIU Center of Southeast Asian Studies.
This partnership will make use of XU School of Education’s expertise in peace education and of its networks with the Department of Education and Commission on Higher Education.
The selection of participants will run from October to November. Finalists will be interviewed face-to-face and Xavier Ateneo will recommend the 28 participants to NIU.
After their US training, Xavier Ateneo will monitor their self-led project implementation from May to June, and gather them for synthesis and sharing of lessons in August 2019. (PR)