A Democracy Summer Fest: Engaging Filipino Youth on Democracy through Leadership, Civic Engagement, and the Arts

Applications now being accepted!

Explore using your talents to further democracy and human rights by attending a Democracy Summer Fest camp sponsored by the U.S. Embassy.

The U.S. Embassy, in cooperation with the Commission on Higher Education, the Commission on Human Rights, the Outstanding Student of the Philippines Alumni Community, the National Youth Commission, the International Visitor Program Philippines Alumni Association, and the Cultural Center of the Philippines, is organizing three all-expenses-paid democracy camps in May to promote human rights and democracy among young people aged 18-25. The summer camps carry the theme “A Democracy Summer Fest: Engaging Filipino Youth on Democracy through Leadership, Civic Engagement, and the Arts.”

The camps’ three modules are Leadership, Civic Engagement, and the Arts. Each module will be held in a different location: Los Baños, Cebu, or Davao. Participants will be accepted from various colleges and universities throughout the Philippines via a competitive selection process that ensures the mix and composition will be a diverse group of participants from various social, religious, economic, and cultural backgrounds.

The deadline for nominations is March 31, 2006. Download the application form and send it along with the required attachments to your local Commission on Higher Education (CHED) office before March 31 to be considered.

Accepted participants only will be notified by telephone. Follow the links for details on each module and requirements for the application process; applications must be complete in order to be considered.

The Democracy Summer Fest camp program supports existing efforts to foster awareness on the role of youth in strengthening the Philippine’s democracy; exposes younger audiences to human rights issues affecting the Philippines; and empowers young people through a network of contacts and tools to actively participate in their communities and organizations.

THE MODULES

Each module has a different theme and will be held in a unique city. Click here to see a description of the content, instructors, and application requirements for each module.

The Arts Module: Express Yourself May 11-15, 2006 Davao City

The Civic Engagement Module: It Starts With MeMay 18-22, 2006 Cebu City

The Leadership Module: To Lead is to ServeMay 25-29, 2006 Los Baños

APPLICATION FORMS

Download an application/nomination form here.

Send application forms and nominations to your local CHED office or the main CHED office in Manila at: Commission on Higher Education 5th Floor DAP Bldg. San Miguel Avenue, Ortigas Center Pasig City, Philippines. Click here for a list of regional CHED offices.

DEADLINE FOR NOMINATIONS: March 31, 2006