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By Lina Sagaral Reyes,
Special Correspondent

Twenty-six student influencers who are digital natives head home today, ready to implement online advocacy campaigns as contributions to the prevention and transformation of violent extremism and peacebuilding in Mindanao.

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#LuwasKabataan, #IVoteEd, and #BondAid (Bonding Against Illegal Drugs (BondAid) are six-month, hashtagged social media-based campaigns  to be implemented by the students as part of the solutions to perceived community problems, including recruitment into the communist insurgency, the corruption of the election process, and the use of illegal drugs in the regions of Caraga, Zamboanga-Sulu-Tawitawi and the Lanao provinces, respectively.

The campaign plans are outputs of a weeklong techcamp, a training dubbed “Up2Youth”, spearhead by the international non-government organization, Equal Access International (EAI).

#LuwasKabataan, to be based in the Hinatuan, Surigao del Sur, will consist of podcasts and radio programs, aimed to stem the recruitment of out-of-school youths to the New Peoples Army. The #IVoteEd, using infographics on social media sites, podcasts and video, will provide free online voters education to counter online vote-buying and voter harassment in Lanao provinces while #BondAid aims to establish a radio program, social media and seminars, as venues for discussion on illegal drugs among students in Tawi-tawi.

To come up with the plans, the trainees were taught skills in conflict analysis as well as skills in digital technologies, including social media platforms, photography and videogaphy. 

“In issue mapping, they (trainees) were mentored in identifying  top issues happening in their communities and to see the connectedness of these issues with other issues, plus they were provided skills to identify ways to deal with their issues using the conflict tree as tool for analysis, said Joel Dizon, EAI-Philippines program manager. 

Dizon added that after the sessions, they reported having learned to recognize the root causes as well as the impacts and solutions of particular problems. ”We encouraged them to think creatively to find an angle by which they can transform a particular issue, acknowledging that they cannot solve the problem alone but can contribute to its solution,” he said. 

For student influencer, Jorilyn Mabayabay of Hinatuan Southern College, her most remarkable learning was about Mindanao history of conflict, something she has not learned in her previous history classes. ”Even as history is my favorite subject, it is only now that I have learned new perspectives about the conflict between Christians and Muslims in Mindanao,” Mabayabay said.

“I felt affirmed of the importance of my role as a woman in my community,” Annalini Radji, of Mindanao State University(MSU)-Tawi-Tawi said as she added that her favorite digital skill is using photography for visual storytelling.

Miguel Burton Logronio, a political science student at MSU-Iligan credits the trainers for mentoring him on how to maximize the use of digital technology like social media so we can use make alternative narratives.

”Alternatives storytelling is a strategy towards the prevention and transformation of violent extremism,” explained Tommy Pacongga, training facilitator. ”We do not only impart counter-narratives that challenge the persuasive and compelling messaging of violent extremists. Alternative messaging is inclusive of grassroots partners in addressing violent extremism.”

”The campaigns will be one of the ways forward for the graduates who are now our partners of the tech camp,” said Exan Sharief, EAI-Philippines acting country director. 

”As the implementor of innovative media, community mobilization and behavior change projects, EAI offers its messaging hubs, hackathons and fellowships to its partners. 

The EAI, offers its services in conflict-affected areas, such as Mindanao, Afghanistan, Pakistan and the Sahel in Africa.

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