THE GLOBAL Peace Foundation (GPF) Philippines partnered with SM Cares in hosting the 12th Global Youth Summit 2024 at SM Lanang to empower the younger generation in the Philippines to be crucial contributors to sustainable development.
In an interview at SM Lanang’s Cinema 6 lobby on July 11, GPF Philippines executive director Leonard Faustino explained that the summit sought to inspire the younger generation to become the solution to critical challenges and issues.
GFP Philippines is currently tackling sustainable development goals in all areas such as environment, education, health, infrastructure, community development, and others.
“2030 is very near and we have to make sure that everyone is working not just double time, maybe quadruple time, for us to be able to achieve all these goals because at the end of the day, these sustainable goals will benefit all of us and of course our planet,” Faustino said.
Faustino shared that Global Youth Summit is an annual event with 17 summits in 17 locations the country representing the United Nations’ 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SGD). The Global Youth Summit 2024 held in Davao City is the 11th summit with around 500 participants including the ones outside of Davao Region attending the event.
“We wanted to reach as many young people as we can. That’s why we are investing our resources for us to be able to stage this platform in different locations in the country,” Faustino said.
The summits officially kicked off last May 27 in Iloilo and will end on August 27 at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Metro Manila.
He also added that GFP Philippines will also be targeting 100 locations for next year’s Global Youth Summit.
SM Cares assistant vice president Richard Caluyo said that for Davao City the summit focuses on Sustainable Development Goal 9 (SDG 9) on industry, innovation, and infrastructure with experts invited to educate the participating youths as he believes in the potential of the younger generation.
“Isa siyang important na SDG because Davao is a growing community. We see that there are a lot of developments so it’s very important to also introduce the value of innovation, especially sustainable innovation, so the youth can help the community in the progress,” Caluyo said.
Caluyo hopes that the summit will empower the youth leaders in Davao City with opportunities, connect with local community leaders, and help implement impactful projects that are aligned with the SGDs for the communities.
