The 15th University of Baguio Leadership Summit, with the theme, “Cultivating an Innovative Spirit to Build Open and Sustainable Communities” commenced last September 29 at the Nature Hotel, Beckel Ambuklao Road, La Trinidad Benguet. The summit was a collaborative effort between the Friedrich Naumann Foundation, the University of Baguio, and the City Environment and Parks Management Office (CEPMO) of Baguio. Recognizing the pivotal role of the youth in shaping the future, the event was poised to empower student and youth leaders to forward themselves in their communities. This event was merely not a summit, but a catalyst for cultivating an innovative spirit among the participating 75 student leaders to build open and sustainable communities.
The Youth Leadership Summit, spanning two intensive days, offered the young leaders of UB a transformative experience. It was an event that didn’t just educate—it equipped them with the skills, knowledge, and spirit to tackle real-world challenges. This summit was a unique opportunity for the various youth leaders to collaborate, share insights, and explore the evolving landscape of leadership.
The thematic focus of the summit revolves around advocacy campaigning, school organizing, and championing sustainability. These are the building blocks of responsible leadership in today’s world. Through these discussions and activities, the participants gained a deep understanding of the pressing issues facing their communities and the tools needed to address them effectively.
In the first session, Speaker Elcie Cialana explored the concept of leadership and its role in driving social change. She emphasized the importance of understanding one’s leadership journey and how personal advocacies can serve as the building blocks for creating positive societal impacts. Participants learned how their passion and commitment to specific causes can drive meaningful change within their communities. This was followed by Ms. Camille Dominguez who delved into the realm of school organizing and student engagement. She emphasized the civic responsibility of young leaders and the significance of collective thinking. The art of thinking together, as she highlighted, plays a pivotal role in mobilizing student communities to address local and global issues.
Aside from these, the event also provided insights into the intersection of eco-consciousness and technology. The speakers explored sustainable living practices in the digital era, including discussions on local climate change action plans, climate change councils, and research and innovation grants. The students were encouraged to harness technology as a tool for promoting environmental sustainability. Ms. Maria Agnes was a crowd favorite; filled with magnetism and charisma, she effectively emphasized the bane of single-use plastics in the city, hence encouraging the listeners to the avoidance of SUPs. These sessions provided valuable insights into how young leaders can actively contribute to building cleaner and greener communities.
During the evening, Councillor Vladimir Cayabas delivered an insightful speech that revolved around the basic principles of effective leadership and its application in the present. His words captured wisdom and relevance, offering valuable lessons and knowledge for aspiring leaders. He also emphasized the importance of understanding what it really means to be a leader, a message that left a lasting impact on the audience. One of the key takeaways from Councilor Cayabas’s speech was that leadership is not a “one-size-fits-all” concept. Rather, it is a dynamic and constantly changing matter that continues to evolve. Also, he emphasized that true leaders must have the ability to manage the complexities in the modern world, adapting their leadership style as necessary to meet the demands of various situations and what suits the people that they are serving.
Additionally, Councillor Cayabas also highlighted the importance of striving for effective leadership. He explained that effort is not an end goal but an ongoing journey. Leaders must continually find ways to improve themselves and their organizations, always pushing the boundaries of what is possible. He also provided practical examples and anecdotes that illustrated his points. He encouraged participants to reflect on their own leadership journey and to be open to change and growth. His speech gave the audience a deeper understanding of the multifaceted nature of leadership and a renewed commitment to the pursuit of excellence. In conclusion, the presentation by Councillor Cayabas served as an important reminder of the value of open-minded and excellence-driven leadership. His ideas work as a beacon for leaders in our ever-changing environment, directing them in the direction of a more promising and meaningful future.
Lastly, the capstone project, a central highlight of the summit, allowed the participants to apply their newly acquired knowledge and skills to real-world problems and issues. It was a platform for them to innovate, collaborate, and pitch solutions that could drive positive change. The capstone projects proposed by the students, which varied from concerns for environment, mental health, education, and various topics, mirrored the success of the summit in imparting essential knowledge and skills to its participants.
Being participants of the event, the Solidarity Dance led by the student facilitators deserves special recognition as it was also a high point for the students, indicating the collective effort of the student leaders present. This seemingly simple moment was entertaining and a powerful catalyst for camaraderie, bonding, and unity among the attendees. It was a symbol of unity, an impetus for friendship, and a source of inspiration. The Solidarity Dance marks the accomplishment of the event, the student leaders, and their efforts during the event and inside and outside the university premises.
As the event concluded on September 30, the young leaders of the University of Baguio armed with new knowledge and inspiration, are now better equipped to drive positive transformation and contribute to the creation of open, sustainable, and inclusive communities for all. The spirit of the Youth Leadership Summit and the incredible wealth of knowledge and inspiration it has imparted leads us to the reminder that leadership knows no age, and change begins with passion and purpose.
As these young leaders step forward, armed with newfound insights and a commitment to action, they serve as beacons of hope for a brighter, more sustainable future.
With each step they take, each advocacy they champion, and each community they empower, they are the driving force behind a transformational journey. The Youth Leadership Summit was just the beginning, and their collective efforts will continue to ripple outward, shaping open, sustainable, and inclusive communities for generations to come. Together, we celebrate the potential of our youth and the unwavering belief that they hold the key to a world where positive change knows no bounds.
It has already been years since the University of Baguio engaged in Leadership gatherings, and the journey already denotes a breakthrough of knowledge, virtues, talents, and skills. Undeniably, the courage of going in is a choice to go up, because this standardized quality has embarked on the journey to let the voices of the students be heard, their hands be raised, eyes be opened, opinions be uttered, capabilities be sharpened, distinctions be accepted, and limits be eradicated. Thus, these leadership summits are marks of success, steps forward, and acts toward the path of a good future.
Written by Christine Porquerino, Marvin Carl Castro, Mila Guinsad, Nadine Faye Layug, Ryle Fuentes, and Vanessa Banas
