As the torchbearers of tomorrow, the Filipino youth plays a vital role in shaping the future. Despite the current global political climate, they remain undeterred to extinguish the pervasive wildfire of injustice and inequality, both physically and digitally.
This belief is what drove the University of the Philippines Political Society (UP POLSCi) to conceptualize one of the country’s biggest political inter-high school competitions amid the pandemic. With the theme, “Inspiring Action in the Time of Political Unrest”, the 12th Ped Xing: Politics 101 Camp hopes to ignite the youth’s passion to participate more actively in local and international political affairs, even through virtual means.
Ped Xing XII has invited a wide array of esteemed speakers to talk about relevant and interesting topics. Engaging asynchronous and synchronous activities, mini-games, and discussions will be done to synthesize and apply the learnings from these talks.
Happening on May 8, 9, and 15, 2021 via Zoom, this event is open to all junior high school and senior high school students interested in learning the essential role of Political Science in understanding pressing societal issues through various activities and competitions. With free registration, you might be one of the 400 brilliant young minds of today who will take part in this one-of-a-kind experience.
Igniting The Desire For Change Amid Political Unrest
With alarming trends of authoritarianism, suppression of freedom of speech, and misinformation plaguing the world, it becomes apparent that democracy is currently under threat. Recently, the military takeover of Myanmar’s government has resulted in a bloodbath as hundreds of dissenters—mostly youth leaders protesting for —are either mercilessly detained or killed. In our homeland, the administration has made COVID-19 an elephant in the room by opting to continue its crackdown on press freedom, arbitrary red tagging of dissenters and indigenous communities, and funding of various needless projects.
Disheartening as these events might seem, political participation continues to be essential in toppling down these worrying developments by demanding accountability from our leaders. From wide scale demonstrations seen in Myanmar and the United States this year to individual art protests in social media sites, these movements also allow the deepening of conversations on current issues to foster more knowledgeable and critically-minded citizens.
As seen in these times of a global health crisis, the youth are slowly taking the driver’s seat in blowing out the burning flames of today’s problems as young people are participating in various organizations and collective movements, and projects and initiatives that lend a hand to people in their communities. It is a testament to the ever-growing political awareness and involvement of today’s young ones that can catalyze change in society.
Sustaining the Flames of Change: PX XII
By highlighting the pivotal role of the discipline of Political Science as a powerful lens in understanding society, Ped Xing XII certainly sparks a new fire of empowerment.
To keep the fire ablaze by widening one’s perspectives on politics, Ped Xing XII has invited a wide array of esteemed speakers to talk about relevant and interesting topics. Engaging asynchronous and synchronous activities, mini-games, and discussions will be done to synthesize and apply the learnings from these talks. And to fully synergize theory and practice, competitions—including essay writing contests for JHS and SHS students, a digital poster making contest, a photo essay contest, and a Team Project Proposal Competition will be incentivized with cash prizes.
Indeed, by highlighting the pivotal role of the discipline of Political Science as a powerful lens in understanding society, Ped Xing XII certainly sparks a new fire of empowerment ablaze you. If you are a bonafide junior or senior high school student committed to making a difference, you can register for competitions through this link: http://bit.ly/PedxingXII until April 9, 2021 only. On the other hand, you can also support the event by checking out Kilos: The Ped Xing Shirt which you may order through http://bit.ly/PXMerch
Ped Xing XII is officially sponsored by QuickFX, Illest PH, Mizuno, Cozy MNL, Wear Nouvelle, Eterna Activewear, Cariz Shop, and co-presented by Inquirer.net, Inquirer Pop, WhenInManila.com, Today’s Carolinian, IKOT.PH, Filipinas Malayang Balita, Archers Network, and The Freehand.
For more information about the event, you may visit our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/pedxingbyuppolsci. For inquiries, contact uppolscipedxing@gmail.com. For partnerships, contact pedxing.partnerships@gmail.com.
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