Webinar

Synergizing Youth Volunteerism, Disaster Response, and Ethical Reporting in Bicol

"Bicol stands as one of the many disaster-prone regions in the Philippines that often face recurring threats such as typhoons, floods, landslides, and volcanic eruptions, mainly due to its geographical location and composition. These natural hazards demand not only institutional responses but also accurate, timely, and community-centric communication. In times of crisis, information can save lives, and in contrast, misinformation can endanger them. This makes ethical, clear, and responsible disaster reporting essential to strengthening a safer community. According to the survey of the Harvard Humanitarian Initiative on the aftermath of Typhoon Kristine in 2024, Bicolanos perceived that they are at risk from disaster, with 40% reporting high or extreme risk– more than any other regions outside of the Visayas and Davao. They also report experiencing impactful disasters in the last five years (65%). Director of HHI’s Resilient Communities, Dr. Vincenzo Bollettino, emphasized that despite confronting the brunt of intense and recurrent typhoons in the region, Bicol's dampened preparedness unveils a rift between its experience from its disaster readiness. The Bicol University - Movement for the Advancement of Youth-led Advocacy and the Bicol University College of Arts and Letters - Red Cross Youth Council joined forces to spearhead a profound virtual seminar, “Synergizing Youth Volunteerism, Disaster Response, and Ethical Reporting in Bicol,” that seeks to empower Bicolano youth by equipping them with disaster literacy, media ethics, and responsible communication practices. By championing synergy between volunteer work, disaster response, and ethical reporting, we also aim to foster informed, proactive, and resilient Bicolano young leaders who can support local governance and community preparedness. Ultimately, this initiative recognizes the youth as essential frontliners in the information ecosystem, capable of amplifying factual and accurate narratives, combating mis-dis-mal information, and fostering a culture of safety and solidarity across the Bicol region. "

Location

Facebook Live and Zoom

Project Objectives

  • Enable the students to explore and demonstrate their advocacy and vision at a personal and community context.
  • Foster knowledge on disaster response and responsible reporting, as well as volunteerism, and how it is important in the digital age.
  • Encourage students to gather and share diverse insights and perspectives related to the topic that will be discussed.
  • Foster synergy among Youth, Local Institutions, and Media Practitioners towards a more informed Bicolano community, especially in times of disasters.
  • Enhance disaster literacy and ethical disaster reporting skills among youth with essential knowledge on disaster risk reduction, interpret disaster-related information accurately, responsibly, and free from sensationalism.