Meeting of VIDES Asia Delegates

Sr Annecie Audate FMA, VIDES International Director General, presided over the virtual meeting attended by delegates of VIDES groups in Asia on 16 January 2021.

In her opening remarks, Sr Runita Borja FMA, General Councilor for Youth Ministry, underscored that "what the young people ask of us and expect from us, and not only in this pandemic time, is presence and closeness. Not just any presence, but rather a presence of listening, a presence of dialogue and sharing, a presence of hope."

Mr Guido Barbera, VIDES International President, highlighted the effects of the global pandemic to the way of life of the people and to the implementation of the projects of the different VIDES groups. He stressed the need for flexibility and readiness to adapt to the changing realities so that VIDES may effectively carry out its mission to accompany the youth. He also gave his insights in relation to the selection of candidates for the upcoming election of the VIDES International Board of Directors in July 2021.

The delegates from VIDES Japan, South Korea, Thailand, India, and the Philippines gave an overview of the current situation in their respective countries, the challenges they are facing, and updates on their activities.

Sr Annecie led a beautiful prayer asking the Lord's guidance as VIDES groups undertake volunteering activities that cross all ideological, racial, cultural and social barriers. The prayer also asks for strength to accompany young people, to limit the damage that politics and man have caused, and to bring simple smile and express the meaning of true solidarity.

The Director General of VIDES International also highlighted the importance of engendering the culture of reciprocity and of having intercultural and intergenerational discussions so VIDES would be more responsive to the needs of the young people. She

urged the delegates to think about the structure and the direction that the VIDES governing body must have to further the said agenda.

VIDES Philippines Delegate and Chairperson, Sr Mel David FMA, represented the Philippines in the said meeting. VIDES International Board Member and VIDES Philippines Vice President, Ciel Estacio, was also invited to participate in the event.

VIDES Pinoy Volunteers' Corner: Marian Belarmino's Visit to Geneva

You never really know where VIDES can take you if you’re a volunteer. Some days, you can be riding the mobile library and going around the metro to visit the kids. Maybe you joined the mission camps and mangrove-planting activities and find yourself somewhere in Mindoro, Pampanga, Cebu or some other part of the country. Or like me, by God’s grace, and with the full support of the VIDES family, you may suddenly find yourself giving a speech at the United Nations in Geneva, Switzerland.

What’s in Geneva?

Before anything else, let me explain what was going on in the United Nations during my stay there. It was the 34th Session of the Human Rights Council, and Istituto Internazionale Maria Ausiliatrice (IIMA), VIDES International, and the Permanent Mission of El Salvador co-organized a side event called, “Youth for Human Rights and the Good.” This side event was created to give the young people the opportunity to be heard by the States regarding their role in human rights and human rights education. It goes mostly unnoticed, but really, young people are often not talked about during human rights sessions. There’s only the children (below eighteen years old) and adults. We don’t realize that young adults cannot be fully adults just by turning eighteen, and so they have their own needs and challenges in relation to human rights. And by this initiative, IIMA and VIDES International gathered together ten (10) youth of today from different parts of the world to represent and talk about their human rights education experiences. That’s where I enter the story. We dedicated a whole week, from March 13-17, 2017, to fully prepare and present on the two-hour side event.