SDG FORUM 2017
A total of 113* participants joined the SDG Forum 2017 held last Nov. 27, 2017 at the 20th Floor Br. Andrew Gonzalez Hall, De La Salle University - Manila. With the theme, "Engaging Higher Education Institutions toward Sustainable and Inclusive Development," the forum aims to introduce the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) to the social action and environmental offices from select Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) in the Metropolis.
*10 students, 45 tertiary education personnel, 47 community partners and 11 development partners
Session 1: Preliminary Activities
The forum started at 9:17am with an Opening Prayer and the singing of the Philippine National Anthem. Br. Michael J. Broughton FSC, DLSU's VP for Lasallian Mission formally welcomed the delegates and encouraged them to collectively work for the realization of the SDGs regardless of faith, affiliation or belief. He explained that DLSU's vision-mission of being of service to Church and society compels it to contribute to the realization of the SDGs.
He clarified however, that although DLSU is a Catholic University, it openly works with people of all religions, or no religion at all. "Faith after all is faith in one's self, faith in others to make a difference and ultimately, faith in something higher than ourselves," he said.
He clarified however, that although DLSU is a Catholic University, it openly works with people of all religions, or no religion at all. "Faith after all is faith in one's self, faith in others to make a difference and ultimately, faith in something higher than ourselves," he said.
Br. Michael's call was echoed by the development partners who gave messages of support for the forum. Mr. Ramon Falcon, NEDA's Chief Economic Specialist commended organizers of the forum for raising awareness on the SDGs. He further called for the participants support towards Ambisyon 2040, the government's dream for the country and its citizens. The goals in Ambisyon 2040, are very much in line with the SDGs, he added.
Dr. Jesson V. Butcon, consultant from the WHO - Country Office thanked the organizers for promoting universal health care through the forum. He further explained that the Duterte Health Agenda's equitable, inclusive, transparent and high quality services would help the country fulfill health-related goals in the SDGs. Finally, Atty. Mary Grace Riguer, Deputy Executive Director of DOLE's Institute for Labor Studies sounded the call to fight the worst forms of child labor. More importantly, she challenged participants to transform their commitment into action.
To break the ice among the participants, COSCA Development Specialist Mr. Norby Salonga, facilitated a Human-Bingo the SDG-Way. Bingo sheets with various SDG related activities must be filled with signatures of people whose description matches those in the sheet. First one to fill-up the sheet with signatures wins the game.
Session 2: Sustainability, Sustainable Development and the SDGs
Mr. Andrew Parker, Senior Advisor of UNDP Philippines provided an overview of the foundational concepts in sustainability. He defined sustainable development as "development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs."
To do this, people and societies must balance three key factors: economic development, social development and ecological sustainability. He then defined sustainability as humanity's target ideal of human - ecosystem equilibirum while sustainable development as the means to achieve this end. In other words, sustainability is the humanity's ultimate dream and . sustainable development is the means to achieve that dream.
After explaining the key concepts in sustainability, Mr. Parker then proceeded to analyze the Philippine situation and identify these key challenges to sustainable development:
He then emphasized the need for local level data as a key ingredient in successfully assessing progress towards the SDGs. He also provided the audience with a roadmap on how to localize the SDGs in our communities.
You may check his presentation on the right for more details. |
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OPEN FORUM: UNDP
Q: How about organizing those we convince rather than advocating? Isn't organizing the second logical thing [to do] after awareness? What do you think of this?
A: I’m happy to recognize that and highlight that more clearly. One of the challenges for us around organizing is that the world is changing very quickly now, on the one hand there are new opportunities of how to organize for example, young people organizing through facebook for ‘example and other social media. There’s a whole new platform. The challenge is how we make that an inclusive one. There is a risk that those who are left behind by technology be further left behind. Happy to take your point.
Norby (DLSU-COSCA): In DLSU we’re in between awareness and advocacy. But we’re trying to make a coalition to localize the SDGs.
Norby (DLSU-COSCA): In DLSU we’re in between awareness and advocacy. But we’re trying to make a coalition to localize the SDGs.
Q: Where will the funding come for the SDGs? Did the different countries talk about the financial part?
A: The challenge of meeting the SDGs is enormous in a globalizing economy. In the Philippines, the fiscal space has expanded a lot. We are not a country that depend on external funding, but more on taxation and other levels of local mobilization. Responsibility really rests in the government working closely with civil society.
One new thing in the SDGs is the role of the private sector / business sector. In the Philippines, the business sector is more interested in the SDGs. For example, if you have a value chain, you have to think about how you can target those at the bottom to become part of the value-chain.
Business groups are interested in the SDGs. Work with major business networks. There is a Business and Sustainable Development Council organized with top CEOs from major corporations from around the world. Although we may also be wary because some of the problems we are facing may have come from those groups in the first place, but they will find out that they will have a hard time doing that because the world is watching.
One new thing in the SDGs is the role of the private sector / business sector. In the Philippines, the business sector is more interested in the SDGs. For example, if you have a value chain, you have to think about how you can target those at the bottom to become part of the value-chain.
Business groups are interested in the SDGs. Work with major business networks. There is a Business and Sustainable Development Council organized with top CEOs from major corporations from around the world. Although we may also be wary because some of the problems we are facing may have come from those groups in the first place, but they will find out that they will have a hard time doing that because the world is watching.
Q: How can we make other students think that they are part of the SDGs so that they can take action and become involved in it?
Norby (DLSU-COSCA): COSCA made a menu of social engagement options related to the SDGs.
A: It’s fundamental that we think about the impact of what we do. There’s a lot of effort to engage the young people. We will take that to the office and think about how to engage young people broadly. Here in our [forum] venue for example, I have observed that we just have a few young people.
A: It’s fundamental that we think about the impact of what we do. There’s a lot of effort to engage the young people. We will take that to the office and think about how to engage young people broadly. Here in our [forum] venue for example, I have observed that we just have a few young people.
Q: Where can we go, venue to share or hear about studies or researches about what others are already doing about the SDGs?
A: I didn’t bring anything to share on that as of the moment. But what can help is having a clear results statement at the very beginning. Bring your results objective at a realizable level, with the right target, and the right time frame.
Q: Is there a specific time frame in the awareness program of the SDGs? When do we stop from awareness then go back to advocacy?
A: We’re working quite closely with DILG on this agenda. We have a partnership with them on the project MDG-Faces. Although it looks like you have to go through the localization process in phases, it’s actually a continuous process, especially as we know, there is a high level of turnover among local officials. We must always raise awareness on the SDGs after elections. It must be integrated in the training program of the DILG for the LGUs.
Session 3: Situationer and Levelling-Off
After UNDP's discussion on the basic concepts in sustainable development, NEDA took the stage next to share about what the government is doing to help achieve the SDGs in the country. Their presentation started off with a video of Ambisyon 2040, the collective long-term vision and aspirations of the Filipino people for themselves and for the country in the next 25 years.
Aksyon para sa Ambisyon: NEDA's video presentation of the Philippine Development Plan 2017-2022
NEDA's ensuing presentation focused on two parts, the government and the private sector's programs that address the SDGs. On the part of the government, NEDA shared a framework on how the SDGs are integrated in the Philippine Development Plan. The framework's three pillars are the following:
Programs of the various line agencies were then presented corresponding to each of these three pillars. These programs were mostly implemented by the DSWD, DepEd and DOH.
Participants were also encouraged to partner with other non-profit and for-profit organizations with SDG-aligned projects. Groups like Operation Smile, Unilab, Smart and PLDT are some those mentioned in the presentation.
The session ended at 12pm, just in time for lunch. The session resumed at 1:15pm for the Open Forum with UNDP. |
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OPEN FORUM: NEDA
Q: How can we invoke / partner directly with NEDA?
A: NEDA is a non-implementing agency. We are tasked to do social development planning. We are the central planning agency. At the local level, we have regional offices. We provide technical assistance to NGOS and LGUs particularly on feasibility studies, planning activities to help sharpen activities at the local level.
Thank you but we don’t directly implement projects. DILG actually has a program called MDG-FACES. This makes programs most responsive to the SDGs. Another DILG engagement is the UBAS, Ugnayan ng Barangay at Simbahan. But you could directly partner with the various line agencies. One such program is the Community Driven Development Program. This afternoon, we’ll have a roadmap localization exercise. We’ll identify problems, what actions can we do and what SDGs are these related.
Thank you but we don’t directly implement projects. DILG actually has a program called MDG-FACES. This makes programs most responsive to the SDGs. Another DILG engagement is the UBAS, Ugnayan ng Barangay at Simbahan. But you could directly partner with the various line agencies. One such program is the Community Driven Development Program. This afternoon, we’ll have a roadmap localization exercise. We’ll identify problems, what actions can we do and what SDGs are these related.
Q: Ma'am bakit hindi niyo introduce yung maggawa yung miyembro ng 4Ps ng kanilang kooperatiba? Isang beses, bahagi lang, kung 200 pesos, malaki nang puhunan para magkaroon sila ng NFA outlet na puwedeng maging para sa kanila walang tubo, pero yung participating community, dun sila puwedeng kumita.
Hindi daw puwede , kasi hindi daw puwedeng gamitin sa iba yung pera. Pero pano yung usapin ng pag-angat ng kamalayan sa kinabukasan?
Hindi daw puwede , kasi hindi daw puwedeng gamitin sa iba yung pera. Pero pano yung usapin ng pag-angat ng kamalayan sa kinabukasan?
A: Girlie (NEDA Staff for Pantawid): Yung pantawid po kasi, binibigyan po sila ng allowance, conditinal cash transfer in exchange for sending their children to school and health centers for immunizations. Part of the convergence program is to connect it with other programs. Sinusuportahan din natin sila, we dont just give fish, we teach them how to fish.
Kinonek po sila sa Sustainable Livelihood Program (SLP). Binibigyan po sila ng training care of TESDA and capital / seed fund through SLP Program. Another track is the Employment Facilitation. Fina-facilitate po ito in partnership with government agencies para makahanap ng trabaho.
Yun po yung isang convergence na ginagawa, bukod pa sa ibang convergence na ginagawa. Yung sa cooperative, talagang hindi sila allowed at this point na magtayo ng cooperative. Dahil yung P 1,900 per month supposed to be para sa mga bata, para sa mga pangangailangan nila. Yung pera kasi na yun ay hindi pa enough para sa mga other activities.
Meron namang mga activity na ginogroup yung mga parents, tapos yung mga groups na yun pagpunta sa SLP ay by groups sila nagpupunta. Last month, umupo ang DSWD with other agencies for the National Livelihood Framework. We have to wait for that.
Kinonek po sila sa Sustainable Livelihood Program (SLP). Binibigyan po sila ng training care of TESDA and capital / seed fund through SLP Program. Another track is the Employment Facilitation. Fina-facilitate po ito in partnership with government agencies para makahanap ng trabaho.
Yun po yung isang convergence na ginagawa, bukod pa sa ibang convergence na ginagawa. Yung sa cooperative, talagang hindi sila allowed at this point na magtayo ng cooperative. Dahil yung P 1,900 per month supposed to be para sa mga bata, para sa mga pangangailangan nila. Yung pera kasi na yun ay hindi pa enough para sa mga other activities.
Meron namang mga activity na ginogroup yung mga parents, tapos yung mga groups na yun pagpunta sa SLP ay by groups sila nagpupunta. Last month, umupo ang DSWD with other agencies for the National Livelihood Framework. We have to wait for that.
Q: Puwede po bang mag-apply ang ALS graduates ng financial assistance sa SHS?
A: Right now, wala pa po tayong ALS for Senior High School. Yung subsidy ay for regular school for junior high school at SHS. We could raise this up to our ExeCom. We should touch base also with PLDT-SMART for their Batibot Program.
Session 4: Call to Action
The last part of the plenary sessions is the Sectoral Integration Workshop facilitated by NEDA. Participants were asked to group themselves by school or organization. They were than asked to collectively accomplish the SDG Localization Map.
The SDG Localization Map
Two groups were given the opportunity to share what they have discussed. First to share was the group from the Lyceum of the Philippines University (LPU). The group talked about their Tanging Yaman Alagaan Natin Program or TYAN. The program aims to address the exclusion of indigenous peoples in the education sector and other aspects. The project was implemented in five provinces where Agta, Dumagat and Batac peoples reside. The project is aligned with Goals 13, 15, 16 and 17 of the SDGs, respectively.
The plenary session ended at 2:30pm. Participants then proceeded to their respective break-out sessions.
The plenary session ended at 2:30pm. Participants then proceeded to their respective break-out sessions.
Center for Social Concern and Action
2nd Floor, Br. Connon Hall, De La Salle University -Manila
2401 Taft Avenue, 0922 Manila, Philippines
Telefax: (632) 523-4143
2nd Floor, Br. Connon Hall, De La Salle University -Manila
2401 Taft Avenue, 0922 Manila, Philippines
Telefax: (632) 523-4143