Project LAKBAY II Concept Note Learning Actively through Knowledge-Based Appreciation for Youth A Youth Cultural and Learning Immersion Camp

Duration
Project LAKBAY will take place for 9 days on 16-24 January 2024

Rationale

The increasing complexity of socio-economic and environmental challenges around the world has required innovation, creativity and increased level of engagement from various sectors, especially the youth. Empowering youth through collaboration, participation, and engagement is essential in finding solutions to address global complex problems. One approach to increasing youth engagement is through youth cultural and learning programs wherein youth will be exposed to fellow youth of another country while being immersed in the local context and culture. Youth cultural and learning immersion is considered as a valuable approach to understanding and addressing issues related to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). However, there are a number of challenges encountered in planning and organizing international youth immersion programs which make it difficult for young people to fully engage and take action in addressing societal challenges, both globally and locally. Among the challenges are a lack of support for groups and local organizations, language barriers, cultural differences and diversity, and bias towards the global north models and framework. These challenges resulted in a seemingly daunting task to mobilize the youth and engage them in social action.

The Faculty of Management and Development Studies (FMDS), University of the Philippines Open University (UPOU) recognizes the importance of supporting youth-focused initiatives and in creating platforms of engagement to develop youth leaders who can help address complex global development challenges. FMDS offers academic and non-formal programs that span from health to the environment to management and to the development fields and to ASEAN studies. This includes providing access to formal education, both degree and continuing education programs, as well as mentorship, coaching, training, and workshop opportunities through online and hybrid modalities. 

It is through Project LAKBAY (a Filipino term that means Journey in English) that the importance of sustainability as well as the inclusion of youth voices in sustainability-related plans can be amplified across different fields of development. To be aware and engage in various global sustainability programs is a continuous journey that the youth needs to traverse. This youth cultural and learning immersion program seeks to explore the interconnections between multiple SDGs by means of civic engagement, understanding local challenges, fostering collaborations, and developing context-specific solutions to aid their respective communities while using English as the primary medium of conversation and instruction.

Objectives

Project LAKBAY seeks to promote active learning through knowledge-based activities.

Specifically, it aims to:
1. Provide a venue for youth to have a better understanding of the SDGs and the challenges facing local and global communities;
2. Promote intercultural engagement among Taiwanese and Filipino youth;
3. Facilitate learning of other cultures through firsthand experience, including language, customs, and traditions;
4. Promote a sense of community and connection with other young people interested in making a positive difference in the world; and 5. Provide a platform for learning English as a medium of conversation, instruction, and collaboration.

Participants

The youth cultural and learning immersion camp is open to young people between the ages of 18-29 who are interested in learning about the SDGs and taking action to make a positive difference in their communities and the world.

Venue

The main venue of the youth cultural and learning immersion program is at the UPOU main campus in Los Baños, Laguna. Taiwanese youth will be billeted at the UPOU Academic Residences for the entire duration of the said program.

Methodology

The project LAKBAY youth immersion camp combines online and offline activities for the participants. The hybrid program design aims to ensure that participants have opportunities to interact with each other online before joining the in-person camp.

Online Learning
The participants will undergo a 3-day online asynchronous camp orientation which will be delivered via the UPOU Canvas Learning Management System.
The online orientation will cover topics about the Philippine culture, information about the Los Baños and nearby communities, what to expect from the camp, venue to discuss with mentors and fellow youth, and learn about other relevant information. Participants will have access to LAKBAY’s course materials, discussion forums, quizzes, and other interactive tools.

In-person Youth Camp
The 9-day in-person immersive camp will include a variety of activities, including:
1. Improving English language through various activities i.e. debate, english language games, video capture of interviews, book reading and english-language movie watching.
2. Academic Learning wherein participants attend a series of interactive academic classes such as digital literacy and leadership development.
3. Design thinking workshops to allow opportunities for participants to learn about global issues, think critically, and develop innovative solutions.
4. Interactive walking workshops on the SDGs, covering topics such as poverty, gender equality, climate action, and more.
5. Cultural festival to feature arts, music, food and other cultural customs and beliefs.
6. Team-building activities to foster collaboration and leadership skills.
7. Community immersion through field trips to nearby communities (Paete and Liliw; wet markets; ride trolleys to visit rail-road communities) and local organizations. 8. Outdoor activities to promote environmental conservation.

Application Deadline
December 8, 2023

Fill the registration form

Fees
TWD 48,500, includes airplane tickets and visa, transportation, accommodation and meals, travel insurance, tuition fees, and administrative expenses.
"Flying Travel Agency" will handle matters related to the group's airfare and visa. And all participants shall take the same flight as follows:
Jan. 16, 2024 (TUE.) China Airline CI711 to Manila
Jan. 18, 2024 (THU.) Visit UP Diliman and stay in Manila
Jan. 24, 2024 (WED.) China Airline CI712 back to Taiwan

More information (agenda, LINE group......) please refer to the guideline.

【Contact Info.】
Kaohsiung Southeast Asia Industry and Academic Exchange Association
Ms. CHENG This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

National Yunlin University of Science and Technology
Eunice This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.