Imagine in odd folks, develop civic areas

MANILA, Philippines – A Ukrainian human rights lawyer, an LGBT champion, a volunteer community chief, and a youth chief have been united about one factor in Rappler’s Social Good Summit 2025: that when odd folks band collectively, they’ll create civic areas and shield basic rights.

Oleksandra Matviichuk, founding father of the Middle for Civil Liberties, talked concerning the ongoing course of in Ukraine on constructing efficient state establishments. Resilient societies, mentioned Matviichuk, lies in “the ability of their folks.”

“And that’s the reason our survival supply is native democracy, is freedom of speech, is self-organization, is grassroots initiatives, is girls organizations,” Matviichuk instructed the viewers on the breakout session on Sunday, November 16. “And this perception of odd people who their efforts matter.”

Middle for Civil Liberties is the recipient of the 2022 Nobel Peace Prize. The group goals for justice for all victims of warfare crimes and the safety of human rights in Ukraine.

“We’re odd folks however we will do extraordinary issues,” mentioned Matviichuk.

Becoming a member of Matviichuk within the breakout session final Sunday have been Angat Buhay government director Raffy Magno, Alvin “Toni Gee” Fernandez of Zamboanga-based group Mujer-LGBT Group, and Angel Grace Espiritu, president of Pangasinan Youth for Catastrophe Danger Discount and Administration.

Have interaction extra folks

Constructive speak amongst civil society leaders is buttressed by realities on the bottom. Amongst these are funding, help, recruitment, and protecting a motion alive.

For Angat Buhay’s Raffy Magno, the work is about bringing volunteers collectively and being constant as one of many first organizations that present up on the bottom when catastrophe strikes.

A part of that is making folks perceive that bringing fast help is “not nearly meals packs or sizzling meals or shelter kits” however about “demanding accountability from the federal government.” They’ll solely perceive this, Magno mentioned, if the persons are “a part of a mechanism attempting to supply options.”

An enormous volunteer community working throughout many provinces within the Philippines is resource-intensive and troublesome, particularly for one not backed by firms, mentioned Magno.

Alvin “Toni Gee” Fernandez of Mujer LGBT mentioned recruitment is an issue as a result of nature of their group and safety considerations in Zamboanga. Mujer LGBT held a human rights caravan to boost consciousness on SOGIESC and human rights.

The group has partnered with at the very least 20 native governments in Mindanao.

By means of their human rights caravan, Fernandez mentioned they have been in a position to accomplice with Zamboanga Metropolis for the drafting of the Implementing Guidelines and Rules (IRR) of the Complete Anti-Discrimination Ordinance. The caravan additionally helped strengthen grassroots equality networks.

Fernandez mentioned a number of the challenges they now face is red-tagging and useful resource limitations. They have been accused, mentioned Gee, of terrorism, and placing their members’ lives at stake. Fernandez mentioned they have been fortunate as a result of their native authorities companions have been those who clarified the character of their group.

“Volunteerism is private,” Fernandez mentioned. “What we’re doing is… making them understand the significance of participating in advocacy.”

Amongst Mujer’s plans: maintain and increase the caravan yearly, construct equality hubs with native companions, and develop localized human rights studying modules.

In disasters, making folks perceive the issue at hand could make them safer.

Angel Grace Espiritu of the Pangasinan Youth for Catastrophe Danger Discount and Administration talked about making catastrophe danger discount language clearer for folks to grasp. That manner, they’ll higher put together.

“Catastrophe is a series of decisions,” mentioned Espiritu. “We would like communities protected against poor governance. We would like DRRM (Catastrophe Danger Discount Administration) methods that work.” The youth, Espiritu added, will not be passive beneficiaries.

Maintain the hearth alive

A query Magno floated on the tail finish of the breakout session: How will we assist civil society maintain their operations?

“If [you] donate a million right this moment, tomorrow that’s gone,” mentioned Magno. “It received’t assist the group be sustainable.”

Sustainability isn’t just about funding, Matviichuk mentioned. “We want folks to take a position not simply their cash however their power, their time, their consideration, their information, their abilities,” she mentioned.

Magno pointed inward earlier than the session ended. It’s vital to floor ourselves on realities working in civil society areas, he mentioned. Disabuse your self the notion of fixing the entire world. Possibly you’re altering some villages in Quezon Metropolis, he mentioned by means of instance, and that’s alright.

“That’s sufficient to maintain you,” Magno mentioned. “Since you’re really doing one thing concrete.”


The breakout session was solely one of many many occasions of the Social Good Summit, a full-day affair that introduced collectively civil society leaders, inventive minds, and journalists. Worldwide human rights lawyer Amal Clooney and Hollywood actor and humanitarian activist George Clooney headlined the occasion. Senator Risa Hontiveros gave the closing remarks.

A query central to the summit was how good can nonetheless thrive in this type of world. “Historical past doesn’t transfer in a straight line,” George Clooney mentioned when requested about protecting hope alive.

Clooney suggested the viewers to get used to failing. That’s okay, he mentioned. “As a result of each every now and then, you realize, you get to go searching and see anyone transfer that ball all the best way up.” – Rappler.com