Regional Innovation Conference on Education (RICE2013)

The National Association of UNESCO Clubs in the Philippines (NAUCP), Inc., in partnership with St. Paul University Philippines-Paulinian Volunteers for Community Development (SPUP-PVCD), St. Paul University Philippines – Knowledge for Development Center (SPUP-KDC) and Go Ahon Pilipinas, Inc. spearheaded the 1^st Regional Innovation Conference on Education (RICE2013) at Mere Madeleine Hall, St. Paul University Philippines. With the theme “My World, My Philippines, My Province: Moving Towards the Post 2015 Regional Education Agenda”, more than one hundred student leaders and faculty of HEIs, teachers from the basic education sectors, academe, and LGU youth employment practitioners fostered new partnerships to develop innovative solutions with the goal of solving education gaps in policy and practice, specifically on education MDGs and EFA goals beyond 2015. This fruitful endeavor aimed to:

• Deepen awareness concerning the progress of the education Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and Education for All Goals (EFA) to 2015 and beyond in the regions.
• Develop a clear understanding of UNESCO’s mission and vision in the light of Education for All (EFA) trusts on educational innovation in the region.
• Promote volunteerism as tool in bringing the gaps of educational reforms in theory and practice through existing partner institutions like Go Ahon Pilipinas and EDSA People Power Commission.
• Increase the membership of NAUCP in the region by orienting the participants about UNESCO, UNESCO Clubs accreditation procedures and the benefits of becoming an accredited UNESCO Club.

The SPUP President, Sister Remy Angelia Junio, spc, and the City Administrator of Tuguegarao, Mr. Mike Lim welcomed the participants from the region.  After which, Mr. Gerry Bricenio, NAUCP President elaborated the contributions UNESCO and Go Ahon Pilipinas Inc. to the progress of Education-MDGs. Meanwhile, the President of PVCD-SPUP and Convenor of RICE-Cagayan Valley, Mr. Nelson Gacutan delivered his message to close the first part of the program.

 The plenary sessions started with the assessment of the regional MDG and EFA goals towards 2015 delivered by Dr. Evelyn Pascua, CESO IV, CHED Regional Director; Dir. Charito B. Santos, TESDA Provincial Director; and Atty. Elpidio Atal Jr., MNSA, DOLE Assistant Regional Director.  The three speakers emphasized the specific goals and objectives of their respective agencies in the next five years to address the realization of the Education-MDGs.

To revitalize educational innovations through volunteerism, Ms. Ma. Celeste Castro, Board Member of NAUCP Inc., initiated the second plenary session.  Moreover, Usec. Leon Flores, Chairman and CEO, National Youth Commission elucidated the post-2015 EFA and Education-MDG while Mr. Virgilio Dolina Jr., Secretary General of NAUCP Inc., expounded the role of UNESCO Clubs.

The PVCD-UNESCO Club members Mr. John Vincent Pagaddu and Mr. Robert Fugaban ended the series of fruitful sessions with the sharing of their experiences on advocacy and development as previous leaders.