6/8/11

PRESS


GMA News TOFA-NY honors 'brightest, most committed' Fil-Ams
October 2013

Financial Times, "Young Innovators Promote Charity and Creativity"
Jan 2014

My first Huffington Post article, "The World Cries with the Philippines"
November 2013

MSNBC interview, All in with Chris Hayes: The Broader Outlook for peril from storms
November 2013

Elle Magazine, Young Women Activists Band Together to Fight Typhoon Haiyan With 'Bundles of Joy', November 2013
Humaneity, a quarterly publication published in over 100 countries.
Interview begins in page 48 and can be found on this link. 


Världshorisont, a UN Swedish Magazine. On page 9  here. Download magazine here. May 2012



International Institute for Sustainable Development Coverage on NY+20 side-event at UN moderated by Esperanza Garcia. Read here. 
UN Headquarters, New York, April 2012

 Interview by South South News with Ambassador Jean-Francis R. Zinsou of Benin & youth leaders. To watch interview go on this link
New York, Aug 2011
Pilipino American Unity for Progress (UniPro) "Top 30 Filipinos Under 30." p. 16 on this link
New York, May 2011

Publication in my first magazine column in Bagong Bayani. p. 32 on this link
Singapore, June 2011

 "Heroes of Today"(Available in PDF)
Sweden 2010

Copenhagen Newspaper
Copenhagen, Denmark, Dec '09
Featured as "Global Changemaker" at Bakitwhy.com. Article on this link.
July 2011
Sunstar
Cebu City, Philippines 2010
Zee Lifestyle Magazine
Cebu City, Philippines May '11







Friendship Ambassadors Foundation "Youth Leadership Success Stories." More on this link. 
New York, New York '10



Inspiration of the day: Choi Sung Bong

Almost everyday, I am inspired by someone or some thing, and I am reminded how life has so much to give, and live for. Today, I am privileged to share with you the story of Choi Sung Bong, a Korean who once was an orphan, who has inspired the world with his voice. His story brought tears to my eyes, and made me much more grateful for the life that we're living. Good things come to those who wait, you have waited long enough Choi, and the waiting is over now.



1 comment:

6/6/11

My blog's page view by countries

My blog's page view top #5 countries are: US, Mexico, Germany, Canada, and the UK! (Other than my home country, ofcourse). Where is the love Africa and Asia???


1 comment:

6/5/11

Official Youth Delegate Declaration


Official Youth Delegates Declaration





No decisions about us, without us


NEGOTIATING OUR SURVIVAL:
A picture of representatives from countries vulnerable to sea level rise sit at a negotiating table submerged in the waves. (from 350.org)






As official youth delegates of our country delegation at the UN Climate Change Conference COP16 in Cancun, Mexico, we have been given the opportunity to represent our country and the voice of youth. We came together and drafted and signed the Official Youth Delegate Declaration, to support other young people to become representatives of their country and encourage their governments to support them. As stakeholders, it is important for governments to fully consider the concerns of youth in negotiations that concerns our future.

OYD Declaration Final

Sena Alouka from Togo signing the Official Youth Delegate Declaration


Read more »
No comments:

I’m Breaking Boundaries, apparently

This article was written by a friend of mine, Melanie Ediza, whom I had an opportunity to work with during the Philippine elections in 2010. We both worked for Sen. Loren Legarda who was running for Vice President of the Philippines at that time. It came out last month in a local magazine in my hometown called Zee Lifestyle. Though I have yet to read the article (I find it awkward to read about myself in papers), I was extremely touched to have been recognized by a fellow colleague.


No comments:

Pre-World Leadership Conference Webinar Session


Just finished the webinar session for the Pre-World Leadership on
"Youth Mobilization & Global Climate Politics." It's always inspiring to speak with young leaders who desire to be involved in projects that want to help humanity. For those of you who wanted to copy of the presentation, I have uploaded it for you on slideshare. Thanks so much for all your feedback, it means so much to me.

Youth Mobilization & Global Climate Politics






No comments:

6/4/11

Unipro Speech on Filipino Youth Leaders

In my young life, having been engaged in international affairs, it is always the things that I have done for my country, that I am proud of the most. The UniPro Summit, held in St. John's University in New York from June 2 - 5 , brings young Filipino leaders together to promote unity in our community, and educating young Filipinos on who we are, and where we come from. I have had the honor of being asked to speak at the Summit on how young filipinos are engaging in international climate negotiations. Unfortunately, I am in the Philippines at the moment and unable to attend the summit, I have however made this short video to show at the summit to talk about "Youth Mobilization & Global Climate Politics."



For more on the Unipro Summit, click this link.

No comments:

6/2/11

June Speaking Engagements



In the first week of June, I will be speaking about "Youth Mobilization & Global Climate Politics" at the Pre-World Leadership Conference and the UniPro Summit in NYC. As I am currently based in the Philippines, both of the talks will be administered via web. I love that technology gives me the opportunity to connect to people around the world regardless of my physical absence.
On June 2, 2011 I will be speaking to Filipino youth leaders at the UniPro Summit. Pilipino American Unity for Progress (“UniPro”), is a not-for-profit organization comprised of young professionals, students and youth to provide a safe space for honest dialogue for Pilipino identified communities to identify local, regional, and global issues of Pilipino interest. Steven Raga, an impressive young man currently pursuing law at Harvard, invited me to do a short spiel on how young Filipinos are engaging in climate change affairs in our country. He also nominated my work as part of the "Top 30 under 30" Filipinos for their upcoming magazine. I am excited to be speaking about Philippine youth leaders and Climate Change to Young Filipino Leaders at the The UniPro Summit in NYC. It is always an honor to be recognized by my fellow “kababayan.”
UNIPRO Facebook
UNIPRO Website
On June 5, World Environment Day, I will be doing a webinar session on “Youth Mobilization & Global Climate Politics” for the Pre-World Leadership Conference online. The World Leadership Conference 2011 is dedicated to pave the way towards the Rio + 20 as a consultation for the Asia and Pacific region. However, it is also important for all of us to learn more about the Rio Summit and how the world stands 20 years later, hence the Rio + 20 in 2012. The project is run by Environmental Challenge Organisation - Singapore, and it is supported by UNEP, the government of Singapore, National University of Singapore, and various youth organizations globally. Wilson Ang, founder and President of ECO-Singapore, is also a good friend and one of the hardest working people I know. Since I had met Wilson in 2009 in preparations of COP15, he has been an inspiration to myself, as he is with many other young people globally. I take pride in seeing my friends grow and excel into the leaders that they deserve to become.
DETAILS OF WEBINAR:
Celebrate World Environment Day this Sunday with Ms Esperanza Garcia. The topic is an apt representation of the principle of WLC:
Topic: Youth Mobilization & Global Climate Politics

Time: 8am GMT

Date: 5 June, Sunday
If you are interested in joining the webinar, follow this link: http://worldleadershipconference.org



No comments:

Calling all passionate young Filipinos (and Filipinos at heart!)


Calling all passionate young Filipinos!

The Philippine Youth Delegation is now on its 3rd year in facilitating Filipino Delegates to the Climate Change Negotiations. As we are now preparing for the upcoming UN Climate Change Conference COP17/CMP7 or the (17th Session of the Conference of the Parties to the Climate Change Convention/ 7th meeting of the Parties to the Kyoto Protocol), the Philippine Youth Delegation is in need of passionate young individuals who will take part in this event. This will be from November 28‐ December 9, 2011 in Durban, South Africa.

I am proud of my colleagues who are continuing on with the legacy of giving other Philippine youth the opportunity to represent our country and our generation in international climate negotiations.

No comments:

5/21/11

The MDG Awards Experience







Held at the Waldorf Astoria in New York last September, the annual MDG Awards support and raise awareness of the United Nations Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). The New York-based ceremony provides a high profile platform to honour and celebrate exemplary efforts by select national governments and civil society stakeholders in contributing toward the achievement of the MDG goals. 2010 MDG Awards gave awards in the following categories: Government, Lifetime Achievement, Recognition for Outstanding Youth Leadership, Stand Up Mobilization. Six countries, three from Africa and three from Asia received the UN Millennium Development Goal (MDG) Awards for their significant achievements towards attaining the goal.









As a consultant for the MDG Awards Committee, my task included delivering invitations to Under Secretary Generals, Ass. Secretary Generals & Directors of UN Agencies and recruiting, trained and supervised over 80 volunteers in an event that honored and included in attendance heads of states, directors of UN agencies, and top global diplomats.


Working for the MDG Awards Committee was an unforgettable experience. I am thankful for all the amazing people I had met due to this experience, especially those in the MDG Awards Committee, namely Heidi Walters and Micheal Jacobson, the South-South News staff, to name a few, Ambassador Lorenzo, Mildred Espinoza, Fabio Dillman, Emily Castro, Johanna Sanchez, Miles Ravitz, Afaf Konja, Raymond Bishir, Dilshad Deyani, Eric Dales and the amazing volunteers (you know who you are). The collaborative team effort was a result of many sleepless nights and endless weeks of hard work. It was an honor to have had the opportunity to work for an event of this magnitude.



No comments:

2/11/11

"EGYPT IS FREE! EGYPT IS FREE!"


pic from 350.org


Egypt did it. Mubarak stepping down marks a truly historic moment. The Egyptian Revolution began 18 days ago to protest against poverty, unemployment, government corruption and to end Hosni Mubarak's 30-year rule.
I am inspired most by the the young people who started the anti-government revolt. They utilized social media networks for their fight to have open democracy. Their successful triumph is a powerful example of this interconnected world. Wael Ghonim, revolutionary activist who energized pro-democracy demonstrations in Egypt thanked Zuckerberg and facebook for enabling today's liberation. As H. Newton once wrote, 'The revolution has always been in the hands of the young. The young always inherit the revolution.'
As I'm writing this, I'm hearing the cries of jubilance of thousands of Egyptians chanting "Egypt is Free," and I only feel honored to be able to watch this historical moment. Egypt has proven that the power of peaceful protests, the force of will by people, can bring change. I pray for the people who risked their lives for the freedom they deserved and that power doesn't fall in the wrong hands.


No comments:

1/19/11

COP16 History in the making - Article 6




The rockstars of Article 6:

Pauline Remouchamps (Belgium), Michaela Hogenboom & Gabe van Wijk (Netherlands), Ben Vanpeperstraete, Adriana Valenzuela; Government delegate of Dominican Republic and key negotiator for G77 & China for A6, Danny Hutley(UK); co-facilitator for A6 Youth constituency working group, Bernadette Fischler (WAGGS)


It was taken by surprise when the first consensus was reached at the United Nations Climate Change Conference, held in Cancun, Quintana Roo, Mexico where 189 countries members of the Convention gathered to reach global agreements on climate change. At the end of the first week of the negotiations, a proposal for a decision on Article 6 of the Convention was approved under the leadership of the Dominican Republic and with the help of over 100 global youth.

Article 6 relates to “Education, training and public awareness about climate change.” This was most important for the young leaders. If countries were serious about taking steps towards a legally-binding agreement in the next year, then young people will have to be educated, aware and active participants in climate change in order to help governments with implementation. All of the youth constituency’s asks were included in the text, particularly non-formal education, youth participation in decision-making and funding for education programmes.


SBI Chair Robert Owen Jones presenting a gold star to Gambia contact group chair

The SBI Chair remarked that this is the first contact group in the history of COP to achieve a COP decision in 90 minutes. When it was successful, the SBI Chair presented a gold star to the Gambia contact group chair and the youth from the youth constituency gave out golden stars to the delegates.
The Article 6 team & negotiators after passing the draft decision

Young people are the most important capital in the world’s history to change the future of humanity. This success highlights that “young people are potent agents for change.” It was a celebration of ambition and the spirit of consensus moving the action on climate change forward.

"Young People deserve our full commitment -- full access to education, adequate healthcare, employment opportunities, financial services and full participation in public life.” - Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon

1 comment:

12/28/10

Happy Holidays 2010!


Happy Holidays!
Wishing you all the love & happiness in the new year ahead!

Photo taken on Christmas Eve in a Caribbean cruise in Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas with my siblings, Josefa Garcia, Pablo Garcia, and Andrea Garcia, and daughter, Laela Garcia.
No comments:

12/2/10

Representing country & youth at UN Climate Change Conference


Video Blog of Philippine youth engaging in international climate negotiations:


Update on the ongoing UN Climate Change Conference in Cancun COP16 in Mexico from Nov 29 - Dec 10, 2010.

Negotiating to include youth in the Article 6 text in G77 & China meeting (or in other words, trying to look like I know what I am doing).

An intervention as an official Philippine delegate to support youth at the G77 & China meeting on Article 6 of the convention - which focuses on education, training, and public awareness activities.



No comments:

11/12/10

Heroes of Today

HEROES OF TODAY
Heroes of today is an 84-page magazine that seeks to inspire young people to act for a better world. Featured in the book include President Nasheed of Maldives, Director Franny Armstong, of "The Age of Stupid", Richard Branson of Virgin - all of whom I had the pleasure of meeting/seeing speak at an event. Also featured were my friends (and inspiration), Sven Heijbel of Wake Up Call and Deepa Gupta of Indian Youth Climate Network -amongst many other inspirational characters. It is humbling to be part of a line-up of outstanding characters. Questioning why I was chosen to be on this book- and why I haven't yet learned the awesome Swedish language yet.
Heroes of today is the vision of Sophy Elevall, who's life work is devoted to inspiring others to make a difference in the world. Recently she received an award as one of the “Environmental Heroes of the year” by the internet site Minplanet.se and World Wide Fund for nature, WWF. When it comes to people in this world, they can be divided into two groups. There are those who want to make a difference, and there are those who are making the difference. Which one are you?
No comments:

Speaking at Forum on Global Climate Politics Nov 15


A Plaque of Appreciation from Ramon Aboitiz Foundation Nov. 15 2010

FORUM ON GLOBAL CLIMATE POLITICS NOV 15
THE Ramon Aboitiz Foundation Inc. (RAFI) will hold the second forum of the two-part series of the Understanding Choices Forum on climate change on Nov. 15 at the Eduardo Aboitiz Development Studies Center on Lopez Jaena Street, Cebu City.

The forum, entitled “Climate Change and the Global Climate Politics,” will highlight inputs from two international climate change negotiators for the Philippines, lawyer Antonio La Viña and Esperanza Garcia.

La Viña is the dean of the Ateneo School of Government and chairman of the United Nations Collaborative initiative on Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation at United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change Conferences of Parties (UNFCC COP).

He will talk about the daunting issues of climate change and how we are affected at the recent “climate” of the global climate politics, particularly on the global debates and related international initiatives and negotiations being marred with controversies from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, Kyoto protocol to the UNFCCC-COP 15 in Copenhagen Denmark that ended in failure, and the upcoming COP16 in Cancun, Mexico.

Garcia, founder of the Philippine Youth Climate Movement, director of Global Warming and Climate Change Initiatives for the International Youth Council and Filipino Youth Delegate to the UNFCCC COP Conference, will share her experience as a global climate youth leader.

This forum is the second part of the Living on the Edge Series: Climate Change Focus that is designed to provide a venue to heighten awareness, deepen understanding, and inspire participation and action on climate change, one of the pressing issues affecting the world today.

The forum, which will start at 1 p.m., will facilitate an exchange of ideas, inputs, and experiences on climate change. It is open to the public. For inquiries, please contact Catherine Margate at 4187234 local 105.

No comments:

11/4/10

Philippine youth leaders raise funds to attend the UN Climate Change Conference in CancĂşn, Mexico


Philippine youth leaders raise funds to attend the
UN Climate Change Conference in CancĂşn, Mexico


(Manila – November 04, 2010) The Philippine Youth Climate Movement (PhilYCM) will be hosting a fundraising dinner this Saturday, November 6 to help Philippine youth leaders attend the United Nations Climate Change Conference in CancĂşn, Mexico. From November 26 to December 10, 2010, the Philippine youth delegates will be participating in the Conference of Youth (COY) and the 16th Conference of Parties (COP) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).
2010 is a crucial year in the international effort to address climate change. The UNFCCC supports cooperative action by States to combat climate change and its impacts on humanity and ecosystems. As an ambitious and effective international response to climate change, the world will converge for COP 16 in CancĂşn, Mexico and continue where they left off at COP 15 in Copenhagen, Denmark.

The PhilYCM is an environmental youth network that unites and mobilizes the Filipino youth towards environmental activism and responsiveness. It is committed to enhancing the role of Philippine youth in international climate negotiations. The members duly accredited by the Climate Change Commission are Esperanza Garcia, Desiree Llanos Dee, and Anna Oposa. The International Youth Climate Movement (YOUNGO) will be assisting Vivienne Zerrudo, Christopher Yu, and Karl Molina for accreditation at COP 16. They will be joining young people from around the world in Mexico to place pressure on the world's governments to reach a science-based, ambitious and equitable climate treaty that will secure our future within a stable climate and support those already affected by impacts. "This is a great opportunity to spread awareness of climate change issues to the youth, and engage them in different activities that protect the environment," said Senator Loren Legarda. “As heirs of our nation's wealth and heritage, the youth has a primary interest in protecting and conserving the environment," she added.

The fundraising dinner will be at Cravings Katipunan on Saturday, November 6, 2010 at 7 PM. Tickets will be sold at PhP 1, 500.00. The proceeds will cover their airfare, accommodations, and daily expenses in CancĂşn.

If you are interested in sponsoring the official Philippine youth delegation, please contact Ms. Anna Oposa, PhilYCM Director for Media Relations, at aroposa@gmail.com, +63920-928-3492 (Smart), or +63915-611-6515 (Globe).
No comments:

9/15/10

Fundraiser to Support Youth from the Global South for Climate Change

Philippine Senate Climate Change Committee

Philippine Youth Climate Movement

International Youth Council

Cordially Requests Your Attendance to a

Fundraiser to Support Global South Youth for Climate Change

Socialize and network with Global Youth Leaders & UN affiliated professionals. Our goal is to help empower youth from the global south in international climate negotiations by helping youth delegates attend and prepare for the UNFCCC COP16 conference in Cancun, Mexico from November 28 - December 10, 2010.

16 September 2010

7:00 PM - Until

Pranna Lounge

79 madison ave

New York, NY 10016

(212) 696-5700

Subway: 28th Street - Lexington

HOST: Chris Bashinelli, Actor, Executive Director of Bridge the Gap TV

HONORARY GUESTS:

Ambassador Oscar de Rojas, Director of the Financing for Development Office UNDESA

Mr. Kola Badejo, Special Advisor of Africa of UN Global Compact

Ms. Afaf Konja, United Nations Correspondent for Press TV

Ms. Claire Buffie, Ms. New York 2010

Mr. Frank Ucciardo, CBS News Correspondent

Ms. Kaity Tsui, I love NY Greenest New Yorker


Admission: $24
Tax-deductible online and check donations can be made.

For tax-deductible online donation please visit:
On the box "Designation", please specify: ECOHOPE


For those tax-deductible donation by check, please write to
"Friendship Ambassadors Foundation" and note ECOHOPE


Please let us know if your organization is interested in supporting us by sending us a brief statement of your support and your logo to esperanza@internationalyouthcouncil.com. Your organization will be present at the fundraiser!

No comments:
Subscribe to: Posts (Atom)