2005, in the Philippines: Video, camps, workshops, local actions...

A. A video on the Charter, Community responsibilities (Iraya Mangyans), debates with teachers (OTRADEV)

OTRADEV (Organization for Training, Research and Development Foundation, Inc.) is an organization of social development professionals involved in various fields of development work like women development, environment, development communications, community development, anthropology, education, family and child development, etc. As a group, the organization has been engaged in organization, training and advocacy among the Iraya Mangyans in the island of Mindoro, among fisherfolks in Laguna Lake, Southern Leyte and Romblon, implementing integrated development programs.

The organization in 2004 produced a video-documentary on how the Iraya Mangyans exercised responsibilities towards their community. This video is designed to integrate the indigenous people’s experience in community-building in the midst of the onslaught of invasion of settlers in their land, their continued struggle for ancestral lands and how they protect their environment to protect their livelihood. OTRADEV also produced an accompanying teacher’s primer (hand-out) on how to discuss the video to students.

In 2005, OTRADEV convened its key members to conduct an in depth discussion on the Charter.

It also conducted last October 15 and 16, 2005 a discussion among teachers of Northern Mindoro on the video and the Charter. Another discussion has been conducted October 22 and 22 in another part of Mindoro. The teachers are non-Iraya Mangyans. In the discussion of October, they were enlightened with the Iraya culture and where very active in comprehending and concretizing into their own experience the principles of the Charter. The teachers’ training-workshop are being conducted in coordination with the government’s Department of Education at the provincial, city and municipal levels.

B. Community responsibility in schools, with a video (Center for Positive Futures)

The Center for Positive Futures (CPF) is a school for the economically disadvantaged. As such, it is undertaking a parent’s livelihood program as well as a community-building program. In 2005, the CPF has produced a video documentary on the Charter of Human Responsibilities. This documentary revolves around the concepts of the practice of responsibility in schools, enhancing stronger school-community relations, and ecological responsibility, including the presentation of the principles of the Charter.

C. Promoting environmental responsibility within the community (Buklod Tao Foundation)

The Buklod Tao Foundation is a community-based people’s organization engaged in disaster management and environmental advocacy. It is undertaking a program for the promotion of environmental responsibility in the community level. To disseminate information on activities celebrating responsible behavior, the organization is putting out a monthly newsletter called Responsibilidad. Among the activities being conducted are creek clean-up, street clean-up, establishing a forest nursery, participation in an anti-incinerator campaign, disaster management child risk assessment, and assisting the girl child community organization.

D. Promoting a responsible behaviour (Local youth government council)

As a pilot in working among the local government units, a youth organization in U.P. Village (Local youth government council, Quezon City, Philippines) is being advised by a Charter Team member on promoting responsible behavior. A program on the promotion of environmental responsibility is being conducted by youth leaders among children aged 5 to 8 years old. The program is dubbed: Responsibility of the Youth - A Youth Leadership Training and Environmental Education Program for Children. It was considered by the Quezon City 3rd Youth Achievers Award Committee. On October 12, 2005, the program was cited with an Environmental Management Award and a Exemplary Service to Community Award during said awards program.

E. Multi-sectoral Diffusion of the Charter

Spearheaded by leaders of SANLAKAS in Quezon City, the same group who formulated the Code of Ethics of Grassroots Leaders, ten sectoral/multisectoral groups shall undertake a discussion-reflection on the Charter. The SANLAKAS leaders already met last October 14, 2005 to review the Charter of Human Responsibilities as well as the Code of Ethics in preparation for their discussion among other sectors. Among the sectors and organizations they will reach are women, trade unions, vendors, professionals, middle-class homeowners group, SANLAKAS leaders at the regional level, a local government council in upper middle class section of the city, an urban poor inhabitants’ organization, farmers, and youth organization.

F. Peace Camp

Upper middle class high school leaders of Community of Learners Foundation in upscale Quezon City, in partnership with lower middle class high school leaders of Center for Positive Futures in San Mateo, Rizal, have jointly conducted a Peace Camp. Objective was to undertake activities for the poorer sections of the community in San Mateo as a way to bridge cultures and socio-economic gaps. Fun activities like art work and games shall be conducted. This was held in December 2005.