36 participants from 9 community-based children’s associations resumed their session in the 11th National Children’s Congress, which was held via ZOOM on May 6, 2023. The Congress, which is still in line with the theme, Open Up and Be Heard, provided the children with updates on the action agenda laid down in 2020 and what has been achieved so far. The report was presented by the children representative to the LPI Board, Ms. Chynie Saguban.
The children also approved the endorsement of the Enhancing Children’s Capacities for Advocacy and Participation or ECCAP Strategic Management that they crafted together with the volunteer doctors in-training of the Ateneo School of Medicine and Public Health. The ECCAP Strategic Management Paper proposed to focus on the capability-building of children and youth leaders, strengthening partnerships and involvements of CBCAs, and regular assembly and technical support to the CBCAs.
The capability building would entail reviewing and standardizing training modules, conducting pre and post-tests for target skills and knowledge, and continuous evaluation of training modules. Partnership and involvement would include tapping other churches, NGOs and school organizations, reviewing and updating policies, and keeping track of progress of advocacy initiatives by instituting quarterly assessments and formal reporting. The assembly and technical support, would involve holding regular fundraising projects and taking advantage of technology like social media, cloud technology, and databases.
Kuya Ninoy Garvida provided a brief overview of how ECCAP was established and emphasized that it was borne out of Lingap’s initiative to partner with children in child-focused community development programming where children are at the core and partner in community development. Starting from the holding of the first national children’s congress in May 2000 with 38 children participants from various Lingap community partners nationwide, which also paved the way for Lingap’s pivot to community development as proposed by the children themselves. The ECCAP was formally established in year 2001, paving the way for formal representation of children in Lingap’s policy-making bodies – the General Assembly and Board of Trustees, their participation in national and international dialogues including the ASEAN Children’s Forum, the National Anti-Poverty Commission-Children Basic Sectors, the National Committee on Child and Youth Participation, to the barangay level dialogues thru the Barangay Council for the Protection of Children and even at the local church management.
He also expounded on the roles of the children as co-equals in the decision-making processes at the GA and the BOT. Finally, new children representatives were elected to the General Assembly, namely Mr. Noah B. Delos Santos, Mr. Steve Cajulao, Ms. Praise Shaniah Elejedo, Mr. Klent Ullyses Elacion, and Ms. Joyce Ferando. Mr. Delos Santos, who garnered 50% of the votes, and Mr. Steve Cajulao, with 17%, will represent the children on the Lingap Board of Trustees.
The next regular session will be on May 16-17, 2023, where the children will craft the details of their two-year strategic management proposal and learn creative arts advocacy skills.
The Congress aims to empower children by giving them a voice in the decision-making process, especially in matters that concern their lives and future. The children, as the hope of the nation, deserve to be heard, and their insights and opinions should be valued. Lingap’s advocacy to empower children is essential to ensure that they can fully develop their potential and participate in the country’s development.
Lingap, together with its partner organizations, will continue to work towards the betterment of the lives of children, and the National Children’s Congress is one of the platforms for children to be actively involved in the process. The resumption of the session and the endorsement of the ECCAP Strategic Management are significant as the children look forward to contributing to the realization of our vision where children in nurturing communities enjoy life in God’s abundance.