CHR Caraga celebrates International Youth Day through youth capacity building
By Kelvin Kennt R. Generalo
PROSPERIDAD, Agusan del Sur — Students, Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) officials, and youth representatives from various organizations in Agusan del Sur participated in the International Youth Day 2026 celebration on August 12.
The event was spearheaded by the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) Caraga at the Philippine Normal University (PNU)-Mindanao campus in Prosperidad, Agusan del Sur.
The activity formed part of the nationwide simultaneous celebration of International Youth Day, which aims to amplify the voices of young people, promote meaningful youth participation in public and community affairs, and strengthen human rights awareness among the younger generation.
Sheina Joy C. Telin, president of the Advocates for Human and Gender Rights of PNU-Mindanao Campus, shared her learnings and insights during the celebration, emphasizing the importance of ensuring that young people are informed about their rights and responsibilities and are given opportunities to use their voices in contributing positively to their communities.
“Upon celebrating this event here at PNU-Mindanao campus with all the officers and commissioners organizing it, I learned that leadership is not just about organizing events or leading the team. We are creating here a space wherein all the students, and even the youth outside our university, feel valued and important,” said Telin.
She emphasized that meaningful youth leadership goes beyond holding positions or organizing activities, as it also involves creating inclusive spaces where young people can participate, express themselves, and feel that their contributions matter.
Meanwhile, Regional Director Aurora Launne R. Cembrano-Ramos of the CHR Caraga expressed her support and encouragement to the young people who participated in the celebration.
Ramos emphasized the importance of understanding human rights not merely as legal concepts but as principles that are experienced and practiced in everyday life.
“When we speak about human rights, it is easy to think of them as concepts found only in law books or in our constitutional clauses. But human rights are living and breathing realities,” Ramos reminded.
“They affect how we speak, how we live, how we protect our children, and how we build a fair and just society,” she added.
The official further explained that human rights recognize every person’s agency—the freedom to think independently, speak without fear, and live with dignity while expressing one’s true identity. She also encouraged the youth to become more aware of their rights and responsibilities and to use their voices responsibly in addressing issues affecting their communities.
According to Ramos, young people have an important role in promoting a culture of respect, equality, and human dignity. By becoming informed and actively participating in community affairs, the youth can help create spaces where everyone’s rights are respected and protected.
The celebration also highlighted the importance of partnerships among government agencies and youth organizations in creating opportunities for young people to develop their knowledge, skills, and leadership capacities.
The Philippine Information Agency (PIA) Caraga supported the activity by helping disseminate information about the CHR’s initiatives and the importance of youth participation and human rights awareness. Meanwhile, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) contributed to the celebration by providing opportunities and activities aimed at enhancing the skills, creativity, and capabilities of the youth.
Through initiatives such as the International Youth Day celebration, CHR and its partner institutions continue to encourage young people to become informed, responsible, and active participants in promoting human rights and building inclusive, resilient, and progressive communities.
The International Youth Day is observed annually every 12th of August to recognize the vital role of young people in addressing social, economic, and development challenges and in shaping a more inclusive and sustainable future.
The gathering brought together young people from different sectors to recognize their contributions to society and encourage them to take an active role in community development and nation-building. It also provided a platform for the youth to share their ideas, experiences, and aspirations while participating in discussions and activities focused on human rights, youth leadership, civic participation, and community engagement.
The celebration underscored that the youth are not only leaders of tomorrow but they serve as important partners in advancing human rights, community development, and nation-building today. (KKRG, PIA Agusan del Sur)
