In collaboration, SM Cares and the Global Peace Foundation (GPF) have unveiled the 2023 edition of the Global Youth Summit. This significant event serves as the inaugural installment of a four-part series and was inaugurated on August 11, 2023, a Friday, at the SM Mall of Asia Music Hall in Pasay City.
The Global Youth Summit stands as an annual congregation that draws in thousands of students and youth leaders hailing from various corners of the Philippines. This platform offers them a unique chance to delve into pressing societal issues aligned with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and collaborate harmoniously to address these concerns.
In the current year, notable speakers graced the event, among them being Pia Wurtzbach-Jauncey, the Goodwill Ambassador for Asia and the Pacific under the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV and AIDS (UNAIDS). She addressed the significance of raising awareness and combating stigma in advancing HIV prevention and treatment within the Philippines. Another esteemed speaker was Rafael Dionisio, the Founder of Make A Difference (MAD) Travel and a sustainability educator. He delved into environmental concerns such as deforestation and the pollution caused by plastic waste, shedding light on the proactive steps that the youth can take to alleviate and thwart the exacerbation of these issues.
Carlos Sampan, the Head of Milo Sports, emphasized the transformative power of community support in fostering individual success. This sentiment was underscored through video messages from accomplished athletes, including Southeast Asian Games Gold medalists Jamie Lim and Japoy Lizardo, along with Olympic pole vaulter EJ Obiena.
CEO George Royeca of Angkas provided insights into leveraging digital platforms and social media to craft inventive solutions for existing challenges. He expounded on the concept that catering to individual needs within a micro context can catalyze solutions for larger, more intricate problems on a broader scale.
Ingill Ra, the Asia Pacific Regional President of GPF, delivered an impassioned address highlighting the potency of unity in surmounting challenges and adversities. His speech resonated with the idea that collective cohesion has the potential to ignite the transformative change imperative for a better society.
Closing the lineup, Nick Chun, the Youth Ambassador of the Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) Philippines, shared his perspective on the paramount significance of youth involvement in tackling social issues, particularly within the realm of responsible tourism.
Royston Cabuñag, the Program Director for Children and Youth at SM Cares, articulated the essence of the Global Youth Summit’s inception. He expressed that this platform was conceived to furnish young individuals with the opportunity to delve into prevailing social concerns that impact both their lives and the global landscape. Through collaborative efforts, the summit aims to cultivate leaders characterized by moral competence, innovation, and proactive engagement in devising solutions that contribute to the advancement of a more improved world.
Leonard Faustino, the Deputy Executive Director of Global Peace Foundation Philippines, underscored the significance of youth empowerment as not just a theoretical notion but a resounding call for proactive engagement. He emphasized that youth empowerment demands active involvement, representing a dynamic movement. The Global Youth Summit serves as a fertile ground where the creativity of young minds can flourish, aspirations can be nurtured, and challenges can be harnessed into opportunities for growth.
The event culminated with a meaningful Youth Pledge, uniting participants in their commitment to sustain collaboration in harnessing their generation’s potential and fostering a more cohesive and prosperous society. The evening’s proceedings reached a delightful conclusion with captivating performances from Filipino bands Hey June! and Gracenote.
The Global Youth Summit represents SM’s dedicated endorsement of all 17 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. The previous year’s summit witnessed the active participation of over 2,000 attendees on-site. In a bid to surpass this achievement, this year’s aspiration is to draw an audience of 4,000 participants, effectively doubling the number from the previous year.
Subsequent legs of the summit are scheduled for every consecutive Saturday, commencing at SM CDO Downtown Premier on August 19, followed by SM City Iloilo Southpoint on August 26, and culminating at SM City Baguio on September 2.
SM Cares functions as the corporate social responsibility arm of SM Supermalls, championing endeavors centered around communities and the environment. Beyond its Programs for Children & Youth, SM Cares extends its support to causes encompassing the Environment, Persons with Disabilities, Women & Breastfeeding Mothers, Senior Citizens, and the SM Bike-friendly initiative.
To delve deeper into these impactful programs, visit www.smsupermalls.com/smcares.
