Leadership summit empowers youth as partners for peace, development
By Nora L. Molde
BUTUAN CITY (PIA) — More than 50 young leaders from various barangays in Las Nieves, Agusan del Norte, are gaining leadership skills, critical thinking, and values that enable them to make responsible decisions, actively participate in their communities, and contribute to peace and development through the Youth Leadership Summit (YLS) 2026.
Beyond developing leadership competencies, the three-day summit helps young people understand their role in peacebuilding, community engagement, and nation-building, preparing them not only to become future leaders but also to be active partners in addressing community concerns today.
Now in its ninth year, the YLS serves as a platform for young people to discover and strengthen their leadership potential, build confidence, connect with fellow youth, and acquire practical knowledge and values they can apply in their respective communities and organizations.
The initiative supports the national government’s continuing efforts to empower the youth as partners in peace and development. It also complements the administration of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s whole-of-nation approach to addressing the root causes of conflict, strengthening community resilience, and preventing the recruitment of young people into armed groups.
For one of the participants, the summit provided a deeper understanding of the important role of young people in nation-building and the need to be discerning about information and influences that may affect their choices.
The participant expressed gratitude for the opportunity to learn the truth about the issues discussed during the summit, saying the experience strengthened his resolve not to be deceived by recruitment efforts and narratives of the New People’s Army (NPA).
The experience underscored the importance of equipping young people with accurate information and critical thinking skills so they can make informed decisions, recognize deceptive recruitment tactics, and choose paths that promote peace, education, and productive community participation.
Through various learning activities, the participants were encouraged to develop responsible leadership, critical thinking, peaceful conflict-resolution skills, and a stronger commitment to community service.
The summit also raised awareness of the risks and consequences of recruitment into armed rebellion, including recruitment by the NPA, while encouraging the youth to pursue education, productive opportunities, peaceful engagement, and positive leadership.
For Municipal Mayor Karen S. Rosales, the impact of the YLS is rooted in her own experience with the program. As the first president of the YLS, Rosales has witnessed its development and continued role in shaping young people into responsible leaders and partners in community development.
Reflecting on the long-term value of the initiative, Rosales said, “My greatest achievement as a leader who came from the YLS was seeing Las Nieves become a Stable Internal Peace and Security (SIPS) area.”
Her experience highlights the importance of sustained investment in youth leadership development and of providing young people with opportunities to develop the skills, values, and confidence needed to contribute meaningfully to their communities.
The declaration of Las Nieves as a Stable Internal Peace and Security (SIPS) area reflects the collective efforts of the local government, national government agencies, security sector, communities, and other stakeholders in strengthening peace and security in the municipality.
Also actively participating in the summit was Agnes L. Reaño, information officer II of the Philippine Army, popularly known as “Lola Agnes,” who promoted the advocacy for Youth for Peace and helped strengthen the participants’ understanding of the importance of choosing peace, education, and responsible leadership.
During the completion ceremony, Reaño left the young participants with a simple but meaningful reminder: “The world is small. Let us make it peaceful and filled with love.”
Her message emphasized that peace is a shared responsibility that can begin with young people through respect, compassion, responsible decision-making, and active participation in their communities.
Through sustained youth leadership development, the municipal government of Las Nieves continues to invest in young people as capable partners in maintaining peace, strengthening community resilience, promoting responsible citizenship, and advancing the municipality’s development. (NCLM, PIA Agusan del Norte)
