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Breaking Barriers through Technology:
ELSA Youth Leaders Attend PeaceTech Series

Thanks to the wonders of technology, hundreds of youth from all over the Philippines are able to talk about two of the most important issues facing the country today: peace and conflict.

This past summer, ELSA youth leaders participated in the PeaceTech interfaith dialogue, which aims to promote dialogue among the Filipino youth on unity and peace building. PeaceTech is an initiative of the Assisi Development Foundation, UNICEF, and Youth Aid. Through a series of seven videoconferences, youth from Manila and Mindanao were able to talk about their experiences in the given theme. As part of the In-school Youth Engagement Program's activities after the ELSA Young Leaders' Camp (EYLC), 51 youth leaders attended three of these Peacetech videoconferences, held once a month starting in July 2006.

"We want to continue the development and enrichment of the young leaders after they have attended the camp," said Lorraine Migalbin, Program Coordinator of ELSA's In-School Youth Engagement Program. "By listening to the stories of their fellow youth and sharing their own experiences, they would be inspired and able to broaden their perspectives on the issues discussed."

Paisal Dago, an EYLC alumnus, said, "I can empathize with those who experienced discrimination and those who were adversely affected by conflict. Their experience was so heartbreaking. I realize now that we have to think before we say something, and be sensitive to the feelings of others -- Muslim or Christian. As a young leader, we need to be aware of these things because it is important in achieving peace."

Datu Deck Endo, another EYLC alumnus, shared his insights after the dialogue. "As young leaders, we need to keep in mind these lessons on discrimination," he said. "We should initiate peace-building efforts even in our own school or community."

Prior to the interfaith dialogue and videoconferences, the ELSA youth leaders undertook a 1-day learning session about the Internet as a briefing activity as well as an introduction to the participants who had not been previously exposed to the Internet.

ELSA continues to work closely and share expertise and resources with different youth development groups like Asisis Development Foundation - as a way to expand the reach of much-needed resources for the children of Mindanao .