By Princess Lacorte/AdDU Intern
NEW ZEALAND Ambassador to the Philippines Peter Kell pledged his country’s continued support for human resource development projects in Mindanao.
For instance, the Philippines women’s national football team’s eligibility to participate in the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup prompted the decision for New Zealand to support more projects for women’s sports.
New Zealand is currently working with the University of the Philippines Mindanao in organizing football training sessions for young female survivors between the ages of 8-12 who were subject to abuse.
“(The reason for this project) is to regain their confidence in themselves and their bodies through participation in sport,” Kell said during the 2nd Mindanao Development Authority forum on May 19.
He mentioned that the project would be set in motion in the next month or two.
Last month, New Zealand’s embassy representatives selected young Mindanao leaders and flew them to New Zealand so they could study in their chosen fields for free. These young leaders will then apply what they learned when they return home to improve their communities.
Kell noted that the idea for the UP Mindanao football training project originated from one of these selected young leaders. The student observed how New Zealand used sports as a vehicle for development, which could be replicated in Mindanao.
Postgraduate scholarships in New Zealand are also offered to interested Mindanaoans, particularly Muslims and indigenous peoples.
During the forum, Kell said there are so many needs in Mindanao. He suggested reinforcing the need for a place where partners, donors, and development players can collaborate, coordinate, and measure the success of their interventions.
