SUSTAINABILITY: To where does it lead us?

The Context

"Sustainable development (SD) refers to a mode of human development in which resource use aims to meet human needs while preserving the environment so that these needs can be met not only in the present, but also for generations to come."

Over the years, the problems we face become more complex and serious---and apparently, we seem incapable of addressing them in the same way we created them. The concept of sustainable development is rooted in this need of finding ways to address these issues and problems we, ourselves, created. Sustainable Development helps us understand ourselves, our world, and how these two are so connected that we cannot compromise any of them.

The Junior Chamber International has been a front liner in creating projects and programs that help people and the world. With its existence comes the responsibility of providing services to humanity, as it's considered in the organization as the best work of life. Also, there has been a challenge of meeting the needs of the times and JCI has been on the lookout to be the catalysts to address these needs.

Now that the United Nations had issued the Millenium Development Goals, it is a challenge for us to create not just sustainable projects, but projects for sustainable development. With these in mind, we hope to contribute to the achievement of the UNMDG and its underlying cause.

The Project

We cannot move forward and start with the projects without this mindset of Sustainable Development.  What is it? Why do we need to know about it? To where does it lead us?

Some of us might be aware of this concept but there is always a room for re-learning and continuing education. For those who are new to the concept, learning this will be an eye opener, a deepening to how we see ourselves, our organization, and our world.

With this, JCI-KG's Area of Community Development will hold a 2-hour orientation and workshop on Sustainable Development. It's objectives are to (a) increase awareness among JCI members about Sustainable Development (b) relate Sustainable Development to what is being done in the organization (c) re-align and connect the concept of sustainability to that of JCI's mission and  (d) inspire members to create projects to address this need.

The 2-hour workshop will hope to provide the members with the necessary information and motivate them to learn more beyond from what is given.

The Topics

1.       Understanding Sustainable Development

This session is composed of a moving workshop on enabling the participants to deeply understand Sustainable Development. This session will also highlight SD’s encompassing strategy beyond taking good care of the environment.

2.       Tipping Points: Implementing Sustainable Development

This session will enable the participants to understand and create steps on how they can activate sustainable development to their own fields.

       Leap Frog: Presentation of Case Studies, Activities, and Resources

This part will showcase some successful initiatives of other youth groups and organizations.  The participants will assess how the initiatives can be leaped-frog locally.

 

The Speaker

Mr. Romecito Madronio

Romcy Madronio is a graduate of BEEd – SpEd of Xavier University. He was the council president of Teachers’ Guild (the governing body of the education students of XU) for academic year 07-08. He has also received the Dux Gregis Award (Leader of the Flock) and Exemplary Award of XU’s Magis Awards (the sole leadership-award giving body of Xavier University).  Romcy has represented the country at the 19th International Youth Forum – the Asia and Europe Meeting at Seoul, South Korea last 2008. 

He was also a US Dept of State Scholar which granted him to study Global Environmental Issues through the Study of the United States Institute program at East-West Center of the University of Hawaii – Manoa. During his study in the US, he was exposed to the community of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) of the US Govt, GreenPeace, and CATO Institute. He has also joined other young leaders across the Asia and Latin America to learn about Global Environmental Governance at Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars at Washington DC. 

Romcy was also one of the speakers at the 1^st Ateneo Environmental Convention held at Ateneo de Manila University last July 2011.  He is affiliated with the Regional Center of Expertise of the United Nations in promoting Education for Sustainable Development among educators and youth groups. He was also one of the sharers during the Youth Unite in Voluntary Action (YUVA Meet) at the British Council and TERI University at New Delhi, India last 2011. Currently, he is working at Ayala Foundation Inc as Education and Leadership Development Associate. He is handling the Enabling Education Communities (EEC) project in Mindanao, the TEN Moves (The Entire Nation Moves) Campaign coordinator in Mindanao, and Leadership Communities project (LeadCom). He is turning 23 this April and a big fan of Discovery Channel, NatGeo, Rappler, and American Idol.

 

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Let us all be there at this rare opportunity! Let's see each other on May 9, 2013 (Sat), 1:00-3:00 p.m. at Churvs Exclusives Tutorial Center, Macasandig, Cagayan de Oro City. Tentative Assessment fee: P30 (to cover certificates and logistics)

For queries, contact JCI Mem. Roxanne at 09177195223.