St. Paul University of Iloilo President, Sr. Mila Grace Silab, SPC met with David Hyoungmin Kim, Managing Director of Urban Youth Academy to discuss possible partnership for developing student leaders in the Asia Pacific Region. The meeting was arranged by Byunggyu Park, a South Korean youth leader who has participated in the Asia-Pacific Youth Exchange Program (APYE), a multicultural and multi-national program for youth leaders aimed at enhancing existing policies, social ventures/enterprises, and development projects in the Asia-Pacific. Mr. Kim explains, “The program is done in collaboration with international organizations in Asia, particularly the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and other United Nations agencies as well as the local government units in the Philippines, especially the city government of Sta. Rosa, Laguna.”
Byunggyu Park, South Korean youth leader meets with SPUI President Sr. Mila Grace Silab, SPC.
The Urban Youth Academy plans to replicate the program in other cities outside of Manila and Luzon. Byunggyu Park identified St. Paul University of Iloilo as one of the potential partners in the upcoming APYE conference in Manila in 2016. Park said, “I met some students from SPUI who could potentially join the exchange program.” Park also said, “ The program allows participants to forge lasting relationships with other participants from Asia. It also allows participants to collaborate with one another in establishing impactful programs in their own communities.” At the meeting, Sr. Mila shared the advocacy programs and the adopted communities of the different colleges in Iloilo. Because of these programs and community outreach involvement, the SPUI students are poised to join exchange programs such as the APYE and share their experiences with the larger youth community in the Asia Pacific.
Hyoungmin Kim (far left), Managing Director of Urban Youth Academy explores partnership with SPUI on the Asia Pacific Youth Exchange program.
The University and the Urban Youth Academy will continue to communicate to thresh out the details of the partnership. The meeting held on Saturday, October 15, 2016, was also attended by Helen Romero, SPUI External and International Relations Officer.