MARAWI City, Oct. 16, 2011—Around 100 youth leaders and students participated in a leadership forum aimed at raising awareness of the youth’s responsibility in promoting good governance and working for the eradication of prohibited drugs within the campus and in the city.
Sixty of the participants were freshmen students of Mindanao State University, while 40 were members of the Silpeace Youth.
Focused on the theme “Transforming Youth Leaders: Building and Developing Community”, the one-day forum gave a brief orientation on the importance of dialogue as a path to peace, according to the mission and vision of Silsilah Dialogue Movement and the role of the movement in drug eradication and youth transformation.
The seminar also urged the youth to back anti-drug campaigns and exercise vigilance in their surroundings to weed out those engaging in the business of illegal drugs.
The National Youth Commission enlightened the youth on the significance of their role in solving societal problems through the following talks on Transformative Youth Leadership for Nation Building, The Role of the Youth in the Community and the Framing of the Local Youth Development Plan.
A representative of the Philippine Drug Enhancement Agency (PDEA) also gave a talk on Dangerous Drug Awareness and Prevention highlighting the salient provisions of the Comprehensive Drug Act of 2002.
The speaker touched on the vicious effects of dangerous drugs like marijuana, shabu, ecstasy, and the like on the human body and the role of the youth and law enforcement agencies in drug annihilation and prevention.
The Transformative Youth Leadership Forum and Symposium on Dangerous Drugs Prevention was held September 11 at the Benansing Macarambon Hall, Mamitua Saber Research and Technology Center, Mindanao State University, Marawi City.
The event was organized by Silsilah Forum-Marawi in partnership with the Philippine Drug Enhancement Agency (PDEA) and the ARMM Regional Office of National Youth Commission (NYC) – Mindanao. (CBCPNews)
