In a vibrant display of youth engagement, Dumaguete City hosted the Harmony for Humanity Human Rights Festival, marking the first such event in the Philippines. Organized by the United Nations Sustainable Development Solutions Network (UN SDSN), the festival aimed to empower young people to champion human rights. During the event, the UN SDSN called on Dumaguete’s local government to pass a human rights defenders ordinance, highlighting the city’s active youth participation in human rights advocacy.
The festival, launched at Foundation University, featured an art competition where participants voted with PHP1 coins for their favorite pieces, with proceeds supporting human rights initiatives. Joseph Christopher Doroja, the UN SDSN’s Executive Director for the Philippines, emphasized the festival’s goal to celebrate and amplify youth contributions to human rights. He noted Dumaguete’s selection as the pilot area due to its cultural richness and the draft ordinance already in progress.
Performers Without Borders added to the festival’s atmosphere with circus performances, advocating for youth well-being. Commissioner Beda Epres of the Commission on Human Rights praised the initiative via video, stressing the importance of integrating youth perspectives into decision-making processes. He encouraged festival attendees to remain active in their advocacy, recognizing them as vital agents of change in promoting a more just society.