THE ongoing novel coronavirus (COVID-19) crisis is a public health emergency and global threat. It has upended everyone’s life.
Government orders have forced everyone to stay at home, close business operations, and halt classes at school to prevent further spread of the infection. Studies reveal that more than 150 million children and youth in 165 countries are affected by these closures. In a study Plan International Philippines 2020 explains that tumultuous experiences and emergencies –including epidemics and health crises – tend to disproportionately affect children, in many ways.
Under such situations, not only children’ physical health problems are significant concerns but also their mental and social well-being.
Hoping to paint a clearer picture of this emerging widespread concern, Reimagine Iloilo Post COVID-19 is an online roundtable discussion about the possibilities and the future the children and youth across the city and the province see and hope for Iloilo.
Facilitated by the Global Shapers Community – Iloilo Hub in partnership with Bata Muna Network (BMN), Iloilo Children Welfare Foundation (ICWF), and Kiyo Foundation, the dialogue focuses around the gaps and opportunities in six (6) relevant focus area/ agenda, namely: 1) Education; 2) Health/Well-Being; 3) Economic Empowerment; 4) Social inclusion and equity; 5) Climate Action and Disaster Preparedness; and, 6) Social Protection and Security.
With an online roundtable discussion via Zoom, hosted by Global Shapers Community – Iloilo Hub in early May, local stakeholders got to share experiences and insights among participants about how the COVID-19 pandemic affected them. Among those who spoke are youth leaders, educators, and NGO change-makers – all concerned about the welfare of children during this pandemic.
During the talk Felinor P. Villa, of Iloilo Children and Welfare Foundation and Bata Muna Network, emphasized the importance of involving children in every development process –most especially in this time of pandemic where children’s vulnerability doubled or tripled.
Anxieties over uncertainties have been pronounced, with children and youth feeling stalled, and sometimes stuck, with the problems arising from the effects of the community quarantines – preventing them to feel inspired and be productive. This is a lost opportunity since the children and youth are known for their zest and vitality in life. Their lower physical activity and increased sedentary behavior may have also been drastically impacted due to the prolonged school closures and home confinement during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Now at six months into the quarantine period at the time of the discussion, the local government had already been able to gather consultants and experts to determine the city and the province’s plans in addressing the “next normal”.
Recognizing the rights of children and youth to participation and survival amidst the pandemic, Global Shapers Community – Iloilo Hub – lead by its curator Kirstin Leigh Pareja – is taking part in the development process to voice out the agenda to stakeholders on how we, as the children and youth, would want to see and experience life after the COVID-19 pandemic. The group is calling for an approach that puts a child lens on COVID-19 and resolutions that meet the needs of the most vulnerable, including children.
Reimagine Iloilo Post COVID-19 is inspired by the Reimagine Society Initiative initiated by the Global Shapers Community – Austin and Vancouver Hubs.
It shed light to the exigency of issues and concerns to various sectors particularly in climate change and sustainability, gender and equity, well-being, education, and employment/businesses. Taking off from the different views and stories shared during the discussion, participants were able to look for possibilities on how they can move forward and adapt to the “new normal” after the community quarantine will be lifted.
This discussion inspired another discussion to specifically look into the realities of children and drive forward their hopes towards a “better normal” into various agenda. Children also face a massive challenge as they deal with shocks and impacts brought by the pandemic’s upheaval and adjust to the “new normal” created by the COVID-19 crisis. ##
