The Young SouthEast Asian Leaders Initiative of the US Embassy has declared the ‘Movement of the Youth for Inclusive Development through Education in ASEAN’ (MY IDEA) as one of the 17 winning proposals in the ASEAN region.
MY IDEA was conceptualized by three young leaders from Negros Oriental, and one young leader from Hanoi, Vietnam: Kate Dawn Ricardo, Eduard Joseph Narciso, Rolando Jr Villamero, and Quy Nguyen.
“I have dreamt of doing something for children with disabilities in the Province. With this opportunity that the US embassy gave us, I believe we can make a difference in the lives of Negrense children with disabilities who are marginalized in terms of access to quality and inclusive education,” said Ricardo.
MY IDEA, which will begin in mid-2015, aims to increase the capacities of senior student teachers in the different Teacher Education Institutions in Negros Oriental on inclusive education strategies so they are able to effectively accommodate children with disabilities in general education classes.
“We believe this project is relevant considering that one of the factors why inclusive education does not work especially in public schools is that teachers themselves are not that well-equipped. It is, therefore, critical that we start educating the student-teachers so when they go to the field, they have the needed skills,” said Narciso.
Launched in 2013 by US President Barack Obama, the Young SouthEast Asian Leaders Initiative consists of young leaders aged 18-35 years from Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia, Burma, Philippines, Laos, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam. These young leaders have innovative ideas for tackling what they have identified as their generation’s greatest challenges in the ASEAN region — economic development, environmental protection, education, and civic engagement. (PR)
