The Dominicans for Justice and Peace and the Dominican Family for Justice, Peace, and Care for Creation – Philippines launched the handbook 鈥�Climate Change and Human Rights Education for Youth in the Philippines鈥� at the Buenaventura Garcia Paredes O.P. Building of UST Manila on July 16, 2024. The event was held in collaboration with the UST SIMBAHAYAN Community Development Office (SIMBAHAYAN) and the Center for Continuing Professional Education and Development (CCPED), in partnership with the Misean Cara (Mission Support Ireland), Taiwan Foundation for Democracy, Colegio de San Juan de Letran – Bataan, Diocese of Alaminos, Santo Domingo Convent in Manila, Dominican Sisters of the Most Holy Rosary of the Philippines, National Collegiate Athletic Association, Colegio de San Juan de Letran – Calamba, Siena College of Quezon City, and Dr. Belen L. Tangco, OP.
Ms. Laurence Blattmer, the Dominicans for Justice and Peace Program Coordinator, emphasized the necessity of providing educators with sufficient resources and training when she said that 鈥淓ducators can inspire and empower students to become proactive global citizens by understanding the deeply intertwined nature of climate change and human rights.”
The General Promoter of Justice and Peace and Permanent Delegate to the United Nations Rev. Fr. Aniedi Okure, O.P., in his welcome remarks, emphasized the importance of humanity鈥檚 future and the instigation of awareness and the call for immediate action against climate change and its impact on human rights. He also highlighted caring for the environment and being stewards of God鈥檚 creation. 鈥淲e who are alive now, we do not inherit land from our ancestors, but borrow it from the future; if you are given land, you are obliged to take care of it,鈥� he said.
The launch featured insights from human rights advocates, climate change activists, policymakers, and academics, who all emphasized the role of educators as change agents in creating awareness on social issues such as climate change and human rights in the classroom. Attendees were also engaged in a four-day workshop that was held at the Colegio de San Juan de Letran in Bataan on July 16 to July 19. This workshop served as the venue for the discussion on the integration of human rights and climate change into the Matatag curriculum.
With the assistance of the SIMBAHAYAN Community Development Office as represented by its Assistant Director Asst. Prof. Christian Rey D. Rimando, MSPT and the Initiatives for Dialogue and Empowerment through Alternative Legal Services (IDEALS) coordinator Genalyn G. Aquino-Arcayera, Ph.D., the trainees were able to immerse themselves during the four-day workshop as they took a deep dive into the nuances and needs that must be met in order to adhere to the conditions set by both the Matatag Curriculum and the published handbook. Teachers were able to exchange ideas and consult coordinators regarding the subject, with the creation of workable strategies that apply the material of the handbook to their teaching during interactive classes.
Initiatives such as this event are vital now more than ever as the world struggles with the combined issues of climate change and human rights. The Dominicans for Justice and Peace is enabling educators to strengthen the next generation of leaders who are prepared to take on these challenges head-on by fostering knowledge and innovation.
