YOUTH ALLIANCE PHILIPPINES

Instead of complaining, the members of Youth Alliance Philippines are determined to do something about the present young voters situation.

Being the largest and most transient sector, the Youth has remained unorganized or without one clear stand on the election. Most of the time, young people are used for elections as manpower for campaign sorties of political parties. Hence for such a huge sector, the young men and women of Youth Alliance Philippines felt that the Youth is still relatively voiceless and non-empowered.

A brief assessment of voters’ education showed them that most efforts are concentrated on the general public and not much on the young people. Thus, an alliance was formed in order for them to execute a voters’ education program focused on the youth.

In August 2003, a group of alumni from the Ayala Young Leaders Alliance (AYLA) and the Children’s Museum and Library Inc. (CMLI) – Junior Council Alumni Association decided join forces through a voters’ involvement campaign. Several days after, the group received strong support from many young volunteers from other organizations of diverse backgrounds and later on decided to organize what is now called Youth Alliance Philippines (YAP).

Youth Alliance Philippines is focused on strengthening the youth sector as a driving force in nation building. It implements various programs and activities that hopes to respond to the needs of the youth, enhance their skills, strengthen their capacities, raise their interest in social involvement and promote a national identity that each young Filipino would be proud to live up to.

Young Voter’s Zone

The Young Voter’s Zone (YVZ), a voter’s involvement campaign under YAP’s Political Consciousness and Social Involvement Program, is geared towards promoting social responsibility in voting. The campaign is a nonpartisan and nonsectarian voters' EduAction alternative class conducted in diverse learning environments using non-coercive, innovative approaches. The YVZ Campaign enables participants to critically analyze the process of their decision-making in voting, and encourages local youth initiatives to echo the message and insights of the campaign experience.

The Young Voters Zone Campaign recognizes that the young individual is at the core of nation development and wants to empower the youth vote. It points out that the key to empowering each one is by teaching them how to take responsibility for their own lives, and educating them on how they can build on their skills and strengthen their various capacities. It believes that with strategic mobilization, the youth are made agents of change and guardians of the vote.

YVZ seeks to establish a nationwide network of young voters’ zones through a series of facilitators training workshops and EduAction alternative classes. The campaign aims to empower the youth vote by coming up with a Young Voters’ Code, Manifesto, and a baseline youth development framework, which shall be promoted during the last wave of campaign in April, and endorsed to the newly elected administration.

Young Voters Caravan

A major component of the Young Voters Zone Campaign is the Young Voters Caravan (YVC), which will run from February to April 2004. The Caravan aims to hop from one school or community to another to conduct the Young Voters Alternative Class with
the support of youth organizations or youth-serving institutions.

The Young Voter’s Caravan will be launched on February 25, 2004 in the National Capital Region and will surge into various universities, colleges and communities in strategic geographical locations. At the end of April 2004, the Caravan hopes to have conducted a total of 40 Alternative Classes with 200 participants for each run in 9 key areas nationwide.

The YVC offers a creative means to reach out to more fellow young people by going to their area. Because of YAP’s effort of reaching out to the communities, the Caravan aims to build a comfortable level of trust in a short time.

Sporting the Youth

YAP has since enjoyed overwhelming support and partnerships with individuals and affiliate organizations through its Young Voter’s Zone. Individuals such as President Corazon C. Aquino and institutions such as the National Citizens Movement for Free Elections (NAMFREL), Commission on Higher Education – National Service Training Program (CHED – NSTP) and Abot Kamay Inc., have acknowledged the efforts of YVZ and the unique youth-centric nature of the YVZ modules.

Youth Alliance Philippines has every confidence that despite the dark clouds of seeming hopelessness that hover above the country, the collective efforts of the youth sector will still bring a sense of optimism to a nation facing a time of great challenge. It is with great anticipation that YAP looks to the day when young people will work together and will contribute significantly to building a nation where every young Filipino is an empowered citizen.

Do you want to do your part in advancing the young voters' power? Youth Alliance Philippines would be very delighted to hear from you. Whatever your talent, time, or treasure you are sure to be of aid. For more information, call +63917-5415506. Email: partners@youthalliance.ph. Or call the People Power People Secretariat: (02) 892-2950 / 892-5360. Email: info@peoplepower.ph.