The UNESCO Associated Schools Project Network (ASPNet)  in the Philippines sponsored the Youth and Educators’ Summit in Calapan City, Mindoro Oriental on April 27-28, 2009.

Called Youth Empowerment Series Program for Education for Sustainable Development (YES 4 ESD), the seminar is the first in a series that aims to engage the direct participation of local schools in pursuing the goals of education for sustainable development (ESD) program.

The Summit also reignited the fire among all UNESCO ASP member schools, its coordinators and youth chapter organizations. It also aimed to develop the students’ skills in cross-cultural communication that could prevent cultural conflict.

Topics discussed during the Summit included Mondialogo International conference, the 28th Asia-Pacific Seminar on Special Education, the Millennium Development Goals linkages towards ESD, utilizing school publications in promoting UNESCO ideals and programs, and culture of caring and sharing towards ESD.

Through the Summit, the ASPNet hopes to engage the youth and educators in national development by providing them inspiration to make adifference, motivation to realize their potentials, involvement to make their voices count, opportunities to translate their ideas into action, and connection to a nationwide and global community of change agents.