A NEW GENERATION OF MUSLIM LEADERS

Last 16 July 2009, I was invited as a resource speaker for the a simple reunion of former and present Congressional Internship Program for Young Muslim Leaders (CIPYML) in Davao City. I had the opportunity to personally talk to many of them and I was impressed by their in-depth understanding of the problems pertaining to peace that had been hounding us in Mindanao for centuries. All of them are already employed in different public and private offices and are holding important positions and so I believed that the training program would enhance their abilities to influence the way other people perceived the Mindanao peace problem to be.

My advocacy work for Mindanao has given me opportunities for inter-actions with different groups of people- from businessmen and women, professionals, members of non-government organizations (NGO’s) and even politicians. Often times, I am surprised by their wrong understanding and interpretation of our problems in Mindanao. Because of this, despite my busy schedule, I really try to accept as many speaking engagements because this is a very effective way for people to see Mindanao in a different light.

CIPYML Program Internship
This program offers opportunities for young people from Mindanao’s Muslim community to undertake internships in the Philippine House of Representatives, where they will have the opportunity to observe and gain first-hand experience in public policy formulation. The internships have a four-month duration and are offered to recent graduates of colleges and universities in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) and other conflict affected areas of Mindanao who have the potential, in the future, to assume leadership positions in business and government

The goal of the program can be summarized into three words; ENHANCE, EXPAND, PROVIDE. The aim is to enhance the commitment of young people within the ARMM and conflict-affected areas in Mindanao to democratic values and institutions by increasing their knowledge of the process of policy formulation and legislative processes. And in the long term increase their appreciation and understanding of the work that has to be done to fast track the peace process.

Planting the Seed of Change
True enough that change starts from within. I applaud the leadership and initiative of these young Muslim leaders as they view the resolution and the progress of Mindanao will be achieved through the programs they would formulate and implement .These are the young leaders who will plant the seed of advocacy that economic development is a much better alternative than rebellion and the use of arms.

The program also aims to continuously increase the number of young Muslim men and women in Mindanao who have a broad understanding of national issues and democratic governance. Mindanao’s problem can only be solved by the people of Mindanao themselves. Awareness and understanding of both cultures and the respect of each other’s opinion plays a vital role in the peace process.

These leaders as they are being trained, gains a broader knowledge that Mindanao is a diversified region with a huge potential for economic progress that waits to be harnessed. Knowledge is power as they say, and it is true.



The Selection Proces
This program is divided into two major components; academic enrichment and leadership enhancement training. But before they get into the program Potential youth Muslim leaders undergoes a rigorous screening process before they are accepted as CIPYML Interns.

During the first phase of the screening process, student’s academic standing, leadership potential and their contribution to their community are taken into consideration for the selection. Soon after, the best 30 students will need to attend the “Introductory course on Government” at the Mindanao State University in Marawi.

From the group, only 25 of them will be given chance to participate in specially designed training programs covering various governance topics in Manila. They would also be given assignments to standing and special committees and subcommittees of the House of Representatives and some selected offices of the members of Congress.




Working in Congress
While working in Congress, the Congressional Representatives and their staff will have the chance and the time to socialize and interact with these young articulate Muslim leaders ; and giving the latter a huge opportunity to explain and further discuss the policy issues and concerns .These exposures provides them a broader perspective of the policies, deepening their awareness of the benefits that they would reap should the policy succeed.

They are also exposed to field visits to the government agencies and LGUs, preparation of special reports, policy studies and draft legislation and attend legislative committee briefings and plenary sessions.

USAID SUPPORT

The USAID GEM(Growth with Equity –Mindanao) funds 90% of the training cost and the remaining 10% is shouldered by MSU and the Congress.

To date, we have 168 young Muslim leaders that finished the said program. A few days from now, 3rd of August, the 9th batch of young Muslim leaders will embark to a new 4 month program. Most the graduates are now employed in different corporations, government agencies, NGOs, academe and policy makers, all of which aiming for a better Mindanao

I would like to quote Ambassador Kristie Kenney as she quoted US President Barrack Obama “The world is what you make of it, you don’t have to accept the world you’re given. You have the power to hold your leaders accountable and create institutions that serve the people… If we wait for some other person, or some other time, change will not come; there will never be a better time. We are the ones we’ve been waiting for. We are the change we seek.”


(JojiIlagan Bian is a strong and respected advocate for the development of the region. She is Chair of JojiIlaganFoundation ( www.jojiilagancareercenter.com) ; President , Phil. Call Centers Alliance and Mindanao Tech Voc Schools Association; Mindanao Rep, Export Development Council. Email comments jojibian2@yahoo.com)