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WWF-Philippines National Youth Council Extends its Reach with the Launch of Pamana

October 2018

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Members of the National Youth Council (NYC) of WWF-Philippines stand with President and CEO Joel Palma, as well as student leaders from St. Joseph’s College of Quezon City. © Alo Lantin / WWF-Philippines

“It’s about working together.” This was the reminder from World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) Philippines President and CEO Joel Palma to an audience of eager student leaders present during the recent launch of WWF-Philippines National Youth Council’s (NYC) legacy project at Bo’s Coffee, Katipunan.

Entitled “PAMANA,” the legacy project aims to connect student organizations across the country in a network committed to combatting climate change and conserving our local environment in alignment with the NYC’s goal to involve the youth in conservation activities. Conceptualized under the first batch of the NYC, it was launched with the coming of the second batch, whose primary focus is to get more youth involved in environmental advocacy work.

PAMANA joins the roster of projects that the NYC has implemented since its establishment in 2016. Other initiatives under the WWF-Philippines youth arm include the Green Wanderer Sustainable Travel Fair, Earth Hour Camp, and a series of Environmental Youth Camps, as well as various other engagements including school visits, TV interviews, and the One Planet Youth Leadership Summit in Hong Kong, where they presented their projects to WWF offices from around the world.

NYC Co-Chairpersons Kiana Porras and Romina Lim, PAMANA Project Head Deign Soriano and NYC Member Sofia Montinola hosted representatives from the Ateneo de Manila University, the University of the Philippines Diliman, the University of the Philippines Los Banos, the University of Santo Tomas, St. Joseph’s College of Quezon City, the International School Manila, and Miriam Grade School.

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NYC Chairperson Kiana Porras answers questions from the floor about PAMANA, the legacy project of the NYC. © Alo Lantin / WWF-Philippines

The project launch highlighted the current climate situation and the significance of the 1.5 degree mark set by the Paris Agreement of 2015 and stressed the importance of the youth as environmental advocates with the capacity to pressure industries, economies, governments, and the private sector to adopt sustainable practices. Plans and details of PAMANA and the role that the student organizations invited to the launch would play as official project partners were also presented. As independent partners of the NYC, the student organizations would have the agency to propose and conduct projects in line with the advocacy of WWF-Philippines and the NYC and to involve and empower the youth in conservation efforts.

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Student leaders join the WWF-Philippines team and the NYC in doing the WWF “Wow!” pose after the launch of PAMANA. © Alo Lantin / WWF-Philippines

“This is not just the cause of WWF, this is everybody’s cause. This is everybody’s concern. You’re the future. I’m very happy you’re making sure your future will be better,” Palma said to the attendees.

With the efforts of the NYC, the youth have a platform to connect, to voice out their concerns, and to stand together for the sake of the environment. And through the PAMANA project, the NYC is poised to lead the youth of the Philippines in making a difference for a sustainable future.

For more information, please contact:
Communications & Media Manager Mr. Dan Ramirez (dramirez@wwf.org.ph)