AFS Philippines upholds its mission of creating a more just and peaceful world through its collaboration with GMA Regional TV Network with the Regional Master Class Series dubbed as Kapuso Campus Tour. This initiative is line with the GMA’s advocacy of truthful and comprehensive coverage of 2019 Mid-Term Election through its partnership with seven top regional universities around the country.

As part of an organization that promotes global citizenship education, it is imperative for me to have the skills, knowledge and attitude to have cross-cultural understanding and tolerance.   ICL conducted by AFS gave me capacity and confidence to respond to global challenges and opportunities.

AFS IPP launches its Vision 2020 with three impact goals: Promote Active Global Citizenship, Globalize Schools and Institutions and Expand Access to Intercultural Learning Opportunities.

he Project HIVBeSt: Beating Stigma, held at the Activity Area of City Mall, Cotabato City, Maguindanao on December 29, 2018, is one of the changemaking projects created by YES alumni Philippines during the YES 15th Anniversary, funded by U.S. Embassy in Manila and UNO YSEALI.(Youth Southeast Asian Leaders Initiative at University of Nebraska at Omaha (YSEALI UNO) is an educational and cultural exchange program that builds the leadership capabilities of youth is ASEAN region).

Our team has devised an intervention that would help in addressing the social stigma that comes along with having a loved one behind bars; as this stake negative effects in the mental health and the way of living of the dependent of the detainees.

#IslamNotPhobia is a campaign to counter Islamic prejudice and hate speech towards the Muslims in Iligan City and other communities in Mindanao as part of the Peer2Peer Facebook Global Digital Challenge. Peer2Peer is a digital challenge sponsored by EdVenture Partners in partnership with Facebook, Inc. Because of the siege that happened in Marawi, a neighboring city, on May 23, 2017, many Muslim residents of Marawi took refuge in Iligan.

Volunteers from Northwestern Visayan Colleges (NVC) Basic Education Department including Vivien Bozoti, AFS Participant from Hungary joins the Community Outreach program of TESDA Aklan last August 15, 2018 at our adopted Barangay New Buswang Kalibo, Aklan. All the TESDA accredited schools help each other to share their resources and skills in conducting feeding program to all kids of the day Care Center and orienting the parents for a livelihood program.

Alumna Aniyyah Fatmah A. Guinar (YES ’17) and his five colleagues on Team Pakigsandurot of Mindanao State University – Iligan Institute of Technology won third place out of 60 competing teams from around the world at the Peer2Peer Facebook Global Digital Challenge, held January 26 – 31 at George Washington University.

On January 25, Alumnus Johnson Badawi (YES ’11) graduated from the Future Bridging Leaders Program (FBLP), a year-long leadership development program and social innovation laboratory based on the core principles of the Bridging Leadership (BL) framework – that leaders bridge societal divides, rather than highlight and deepen them.

They developed a project, called Kadtiwalay, which focuses on reproductive health and contraceptive use awareness among the male population of Datu Blach Sinsuat, Magunidanao. The project was recently selected for funding by Ideas Positive, a youth engagement program advocating for healthier communities.

AFS Programs team were given a chance to provide a closed-door session about intercultural learning. The target of the session is to educate future young professionals to deeply understand the relevance of intercultural learning for their future work opportunities. It was fulfilling to see that all these students were opening their minds to plan for their career paths ahead of time and use intercultural learning as a tool to become aware of different global responsibilities.

Volunteer initiative is the soul of AFS. A commitment that never last from its past up until today, AFS believes that helping each other to grow with a special purpose is a way to build a peaceful world. In line with the AFS International Volunteer initiative, AFS Philippines became part of the AFS Poland IV Academy and Volunteers’ Ball together with Russia, India, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Serbia, Hungary, the Netherlands, and Sweden. An opportunity is given from the participant a special workshops that would integrate their capability to become effective volunteers.

The night’s discussions and ideas indeed inspires the alumni in the way that they could further do in making their community, the world a better place. Our alumni’s stories of successes in their exchange program have inspired everyone in the room. We have learned about the great work they are doing in their own platforms that create positive change, we have been impressed by how their exchange program made a huge impact within them. The discussions were lively and interactive as they gave their valuable feedback and suggestions for the betterment of AFS Philippines Volunteer Programs.

The team conducted a whole day orientation in Naga College Foundation which was attended by school personnel and teachers. A very fulfilling success that will help schools to expand their education for intercultural learning.

The YES Consortium Meeting was held in Albania and tackled several topics and issues that focused on the development of the YES Program. It includes the improvement of YES application, increase of recruitment, changes in program details, and support for YES participants with disabilities. It is a good privilege in boosting our partnership with other YES international members. A way to express our active participation with international partners which can completely integrate our YES Programs.

58 students, including 2 visually impaired, coming from Muslim significant communities in the Philippines were gathered to participate in the last selection process of Kennedy Lugar Youth Exchange and Study (YES) Abroad Program funded through the U.S. Department of State and sponsored by the Bureau of Educational & Cultural Affairs (ECA).

Under the AFS One Classroom Initiative, AFS Philippines have partnered with AFS China to conduct the first Virtual Class Exchange Live Session here in the Philippines, which was held between Global Innovative College (GIC) and Beijing Yanqing No. 1 Vocational High School last October 10, 2019. Both classes shared facets of their respective cultures as an introductory topic for this first exchange. 

Around 50 students and educators were present during the ICL Level W Workshop conducted on October 12, 2019. The said event was held at Ateneo De Davao University, and was co-presented by the AFS IPP Davao Community Volunteers.

Representatives from AFS International, China, Philippines, India, Thailand, Indonesia, and Hong Kong attended the 2019 China Annual Conference for International Education & Expo, where we were given updates regarding the AFS One Classroom Initiative’s progress.

For three days, the students were able to learn about the Filipino language and culture and practice their Filipino writing and speaking skills by learning the basic grammar and singing Filipino children’s songs. To showcase what they have learned throughout the 3-day camp, the participants had a Talent Show where they sang Filipino songs.

Students from Infant Jesus Academy Marikina & Antipolo campuses, Lyceum of the Philippines Laguna and Cavite campuses, and Global Innovative Colleges attended the ICL for All, an intercultural learning workshop held last October 25 at the AFS IPP National Office. #itsallworthit

2018 events