Dr. Jose Rizal’s line, “Ang kabataan ang pag-asa ng bayan” may have been immortalized in our books. Yet as cliche as it sounds, this remains relevant now more than ever. The University of the Philippines Political Society (UP POLSCi) presents one of the biggest and much awaited political inter-high school competitions in the country: the 12th Ped Xing: Politics 101 Camp. Open to all junior and senior high school students, Ped Xing seeks to empower the youth by introducing the discipline of Political Science as a lens for understanding important social issues in the Philippines and around the world. For the first time since its conception, the event will be fully online, to be held synchronously on May 8, 9 and 15, 2021 via Zoom. Registration is free for all.
Established with the theme of “Inspiring Action in the Time of Political Unrest, Ped Xing XII aims to reinforce the students’ theoretical and critical foundations on Politics through a series of talks by renowned speakers, mini-games, and small group discussions. Expecting more than 400 participants this year, Ped Xing: Politics 101 Camp ensures that young Filipino students are equipped with the necessary knowledge and skills to be of service to their communities, and to the Filipino nation. A Time of Political Unrest
Fundamental to democracy, and intrinsic to it, is political participation—the very concept promoting all activities through which citizens seek to shape, or better yet, actively engage, in matters of public issues and policies. Though there is much to be said about the issue of declining political participation among the youth today, the early months of the COVID-19 pandemic proved otherwise. With a majority stuck at home for work and school, the inevitable shift to online platforms unknowingly expanded and transformed the notion of political participation to a broader populace. As political and social crises came one after another, Filipino netizens have shown their capacity to become proactive during times of urgent need, as seen in the proliferation of many donation drives and online campaigns during Typhoon Ulysses and Rolly. More and more Filipino users are enthusiastically joining the discourse on topics that affect society, reflecting the genuine interest of the people in the affairs of their nation which is conducive to a healthy, functioning democracy. Although adapting to the digital world highlighted many limitations, it also showed much potential for political involvement and citizen engagement, both of which are increasingly relevant today. What should we do when the very essence of our democracy is being stripped from us?
In the Philippines, there have been rising incidents of state-sanctioned attacks, warrantless arrests, and aggressive red-tagging against people who have become vocal in their dissent on government policies. These became more apparent after the passing of the Anti-Terror Law, where public officials easily dismiss Filipinos—usually students—speaking up as “terrorists” or “communists”, increasing tensions and setting a very alarming precedent of impunity and unjustified violence across the country. In these times of uncertainty, it is the public who are entrusted to become more vigilant than ever before, especially in the protection of their own constitutional rights and freedoms. After all, under any true democracy, political participation and activism should never be demonized, but should be viewed critically.
All around the world, from Myanmar, Hong Kong, Thailand, to the United States and Latin America, the pandemic has not hindered the youth from partaking in the global call to demand justice, accountability, and inclusivity from their government. Essentially, this is a reminder of how it is up to the citizens, especially the youth, to ensure that we can continue on enjoying the fruits of the democracy our people have fought for, by amplifying our voices and doing what we can to lead the change.
VOICES OF HOPE. Gavin Micah T. Herrera, a high school student-delegate asks a question to human rights lawyer Atty. Chel Diokno in the Open Forum of Ped Xing XI: Conquering Independence on January 18, 2020, at Palma Hall, University of the Philippines - Diliman.
Inspiring Action
Ped Xing XII offers various opportunities to synergize and apply the learnings, talents, and passion of Filipino high school students. The Politics 101 Camp is supplemented by inspiring talks, various synchronous and asynchronous activities, and competitions with exciting cash prizes—including essay writing contests for JHS and SHS students, a digital poster making contest, a photo essay contest, and a Team Project Proposal Competition. The deadline of registration for all student delegates is on April 9, 2021. All bonafide junior and senior high school students can register here: http://bit.ly/PedxingXII
Essentially, this event aims to invigorate the youth with knowledge while igniting the fire of their passion to actively participate in the issues that affect our nation today and tomorrow. It highlights the role of Political Science in inspiring action, political participation, and fostering positive impacts to our communities, and ultimately, our country. Dr. Jose Rizal is right. The youth is the hope of the nation, because we are the natural heirs of the future that we create, and the essential actors in the present that we all share today.
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Ped Xing XII is officially sponsored by Mizuno, Wear Nouvelle, QuickFX, Eterna Activewear, and co-presented by Inquirer.net, Inquirer Pop, When in Manila, Today’s Carolinian, IKOT.PH, and The Freehand.
For more information about the event, you may visit our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/pedxingbyuppolsci. For inquiries and partnerships, contact uppolscipedxing@gmail.com.
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