For their advocacies that exemplify selfless leadership towards a culture of peace, two student leaders of Far Eastern University were recognized as Youth Ambassadors for Peace conferred by the Universal Peace Federation (UPF) and Youth Federation for World Peace (YFWP) on September 25, 2016 at the Bohol Cultural Center, Tagbilaran City, Philippines.
The awardees were Hazel Joy B. Baek, 4th year Bachelor of Secondary Education major in English and Hector C. Mojica, 4th year Bachelor of Science in Business Administration major in Marketing Management. Baek was recognized for founding INAYAB, a weekly basic English online tutoring program for out-of-school youth, which also provides income to financially challenged students at FEU.
Mojica, on the other hand, was bestowed the award for his leadership in The LEAD Project now known as The 2030 Project, a non-profit student leaders’ volunteer initiative puts together a network of leaders who develop advocacies aligned with the United Nation’s 17 Sustainable Development Goals.
Previous recipients of the award were National Youth Commissioner Jose “Dingdong” Sixto Dantes, CNN Hero of year Efren Peñaflorida, and Tamaraw student leader Miguel Lopez.
“I thank Far Eastern University for making possible this learning experience and for providing me with mentors from Student Development and the Institute of Education. As a future teacher, I am deeply concerned with educating the youth beyond the comfortable walls of the classroom. There are less privileged members of the society who also need a helping hand,” said Baek.
Mojica Sayo, “We must not think only about ourselves but also about other people. The framework of the United Nations for sustainable development can serve as the model to show what should be prioritized. We can always make a difference in our own little way.”
The UPF and YFWP are international organizations which are at the forefront of character and leadership education with students and young professionals regardless of race, religion and culture as their primary stakeholders.
Acknowledged as Youth Ambassadors for Peace are individuals who exemplify the ideal of living for the sake of others and who dedicate themselves to practices that promote universal moral values, strong family life, international harmony, a responsible public media, and a culture of peace.