The 2030 Project introduced this year’s 17 SDG Youth Champions.

Student leaders from all over the country unite with their #goals for the Philippines and the whole world.
The 2030 Project is a non-profit, youth leaders’ volunteer-based initiative, composed of student leaders all over the country. Committed to contribute in attaining the United Nation’s 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Agenda by 2030 by empowering the Filipino youth sector through its training programs; advocacy awareness, advocacy sharpening, project formulation, project development, project implementation, and project recognition. Now on its second year, the organization proudly launched the “LEADers Unite 2017: #OurGoals,” a one-day seminar-workshop which aims to create awareness about the 17 SDGs. The seminar with the theme: “The future we, ASEAN leaders, are going to create,” also intends to craft sustainable and inclusive community based projects, and to build an active community of Filipino youth leaders that will collaborate towards the attainment of the Sustainable Development Agenda by 2030. LEADers Unite 2017 aims to tackle today’s compressing issues: poverty, inequalities, and climate change.

The summit was divided into three panel sessions: End Poverty, Fight Inequalities, and Tackle Climate Change, which featured 17 Youth Champions who consistently created a sustainable impact in their own communities with their advocacies and prominent thoughts as leaders across different sectors. The 17 SDG Youth Champions that shared their insights were:

• Ms. Jasmine Curtis-Smith, Ambassadress of World Vision Phlippiens for SDG 1: No Poverty • Mr. Mac Florendo, Founder of Food Rescue ASEAN for SDG 2: Zero Hunger • Mr. RJ Naguit, National Chairperson of Youth For Mental Health Coalition for SDG 3: Good Health and Well-Being • Ms. Sabrina Ongkiko of Culiat Elementary School for SDG 4: Quality Education • Ms. Sam Sadorra, President of Young Women’s Christian Association – FEU Chapter for SDG 5: Gender Equality • Ms. Joana Bacallo, Clean Water Advocate for SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation • Mr. Raphael Mijeno, Co-Founder of SALT for SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy • Ms. Aissa Hermoso of Philippine Board of Investments for SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth • Mr. Ruel Amparo, CEO of Cropital for SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure • Ms. Toinkee Tomen, Dwarfism Awareness Advocate for SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities • Ms. Juliane Aya Fernandez, Founder and CEO of Project Lily PH for SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities • Mr. Ryan Bestre of I Am Hampaslupa for SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production • Mr. Roy Roberto, the Director for Corporate Affairs of International Secretariat of ASEAN Youth Leaders Association for SDG 13: Climate Action • Mr. East Manlises, SEA Camp Alumnus for SDG 14: Life Below Water • Mr. John Leo Algo, Climate Reality Project for SDG 15: Life On Land • Mr. Neil Soria, Founder of ASEAN Youth Leaders Association for SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions • Mr. Aeron Morado, Head of Communications, Media, Marketing, and Programs of Philippine Center for Entrepreneurship (Go Negosyo) for SDG 17: Partnership for the Goals. Champions from their own professions also gave their talk about their chosen topics respectively; Mr. Jigo Reloj, Digital Strategist from ABS-CBN Corporation discussed Social Media as a Tool for Modern Bayanihan, Mr. Prim Paypon, Flipino Dreamagineer from The Dream Project talked about Creating Innovative Solutions to Address Social Pains, Ms. Chiqui Escareal-Go, President and CEO of Mansmith and Fielder’s, Inc. gave her thoughts on Creating a Marketing Campaign for your Advocacy, and Mr. Joeven Castro, Assistant Vice President for Academic Services of FEU – Manila told the delegates about The Academe as Incubator of Advocacies: From Design to Evaluation.

Altruism towards: #OurGoals, one of World Vision’s sponsored child, Mr. Kim Sony Mendoza, pointed the gift of looking beyond oneself, and selfless concern for the wellbeing of others.

“There are 4As to consider for taking action: advocacy, awareness, attitude, and action.” Ms. Lui Jolongbayan, Team Leader of the Management Support Unit of UNDP Philippines, said, stressing the need of taking action to achieve social change and relevant involvement of the youth. Ms. Gina Lopez, a strong advocate of children and education, the environment and its protection, empowered the youth by singing the Song for the Climate (Do it now!) with them, singing her way into the hearts of the young advocates and awakening these young hearts to do it now.

“I am so glad to be growing up with such an empowered generation. Many people may think that millennials are “too entitled” or even label us as the “selfie generation”, but I’ve always believed otherwise, that we only have a different language & culture because of the changing technologies now. The successful projects of these millennials are the actual proof that WE DO CARE and WE WANT TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE. The best thing about it? The creativity and vigor with which they pursue their own advocacies. I am so proud of our generation and I believe there’s just so much more to come. Here’s to #OurGoals for 2030!!!” – Ms. Gretchen Ho, the panel moderator, posted in her Instagram account. Mr. George Barcelon, president of the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry talked about the meaning of GIANT STEPS which consists of their ten (10) advocacies, and has been the advocacy of PCCI for the last two years. According to him, these advocacies are the building blocks for the Philippines to industrialize and to improve the lives of our fellow Filipinos.

Mr. Barcelon said that the meaning of G in GIANT STEP stands for Good Governance, I stand for Infrastructure, A stands for Agriculture, N stands for the New Era of Manufacturing, and T stands for Tourism. The second word is STEPS, wherein the youth comes in. S, stands for Science, T stands for Technology, E stands for Education, P stands for People Skill, and S stands for Source of Financing. Additionally, he let the audience ask him questions and answered each with ingenuity.

“Abracadabra. I will create as I speak.” Mr. Paolo D. Apagalang telling everyone that their words have a creative power and transforming their language would transform their lives as well. World Stage International fired up the highest energy of the delegates, making the event fun, interactive and experiential, with change happening at transformative levels.”

In addition to this, The 2030 Project also introduced The LEAD Series, a nation-wide, volunteer-based campaign that aims to promote the SDGs and efficiently execute programs and projects for the promotion and implementation of the SDGs in every leader of high schools, colleges, and universities in the country.

The event took place last September 17, 2017 (Sunday) at Philippine Heart Center, Quezon City and was participated by up to 400 youth advocates in the country. Check out their Facebook page for updates regarding their projects and events. Click here for the event recap.