Empowering the Next Generation: NDKC Hosts Sustainable Agriculture Youth Forum on Climate Resilience and Farmers’ Rights
Empowering young people to become advocates for environmental sustainability and social responsibility, Notre Dame of Kidapawan College (NDKC) held the Sustainable Agriculture Youth Forum on September 25, 2026, at the NDKC Gym.
Organized under the Community Extension Services Youth Development Program, the forum centered on the theme, “Seeds of Change: Youth Climate Resilience and Farmers’ Rights.” The event brought together college students and advocates to explore the interconnected issues of climate change, food security, sustainable agriculture, and farmers’ rights, guided by the slogan, “Protect the Seeds. Respect Nature. Shape the Future.”
The forum was spearheaded and facilitated by NDKC’s Ecological Integrity Advocacy groups, with leadership from the Philippine Institute of Civil Engineers (PICE) Student Chapter, chaired by Prinzes Cleo Jean Rea, and the Philippine Nursing Students Association (PNSA), co-chaired by Rae Karen O. Gelicame.
Cultivating Purpose and Sowing Knowledge
Following the morning preliminaries and the singing of the hymns, Chairwoman Prinzes Cleo Jean Rea formally welcomed the participants. In her message, she highlighted the important role of young people in promoting environmental protection and sustainable development in their communities.
The forum focused on the following objectives:
- Educating the youth on the importance of protecting organic seeds and conserving natural resources;
- Raising awareness of sustainable agricultural practices and their role in strengthening climate resilience;
- Encouraging students to participate in local climate change mitigation and food security initiatives; and
- Providing participants with hands-on experience in community gardening.
A key component of the morning session was a lecture delivered by Jesmar O. Estrella, Project Coordinator of the Filipino Farmers’ Seed Network Inc. and Private Sector Representative for Agriculture and Fisheries of the Regional Development Council XII. His presentation highlighted ways through which young people can support farmers’ rights, promote biodiversity conservation, and contribute to climate resilience through informed agricultural practices and advocacy.
An Open Forum followed the lecture, providing students with an opportunity to share their perspectives and discuss how their respective fields of study can contribute to rural development, environmental protection, and food security.
From Dialogue to Action: Planting the Future
The indoor program concluded with a solo song performance by a student from CECE, followed by closing remarks from Co-Chairwoman Rae Karen O. Gelicame. She encouraged the participants to apply the lessons and insights gained from the forum in their daily lives and communities.
The program also included the awarding of a certificate of appreciation to the resource speaker, after which the NDKC community joined in singing the Marist Hymn.
Putting the forum’s lessons into practice, the participants proceeded to an Organic Community Gardening activity at 10:00 a.m. Students from various college programs, together with participants from the National Service Training Program (NSTP), took part in the hands-on activity. Through community gardening, participants were able to translate discussions on sustainable agriculture and environmental stewardship into practical action within the NDKC campus.
By bringing together dialogue, advocacy, and experiential learning, the Sustainable Agriculture Youth Forum provided students with opportunities to deepen their understanding of climate resilience, sustainable agriculture, food security, and farmers’ rights. The activity also reinforced the importance of youth participation in building environmentally responsible and resilient communities.
