ANTIPOLO CITY, Philippines (November 2023) — Seventy youth leaders from across Luzon came together to speak out on food security, nutrition, and climate action during the Luzon-wide Children’s Congress held on November 24–26, 2023 in Antipolo City.
With 24 boys and 46 girls aged 12 to 17 participating, the event provided a safe and empowering space for children to explore real-world issues and their role in addressing hunger in their communities.
In celebration of National Children’s Month, this year’s gathering carried the theme “Healthy, nourished, sheltered: Ensuring the right to life for all,” reflecting children’s rights to well-being and dignity.
One of the most engaging parts of the congress was the session AgriNurture: Makabatang Usapan sa Seguridad ng Pagkain, where youth examined the root causes and consequences of food insecurity and learned about government and community-based solutions.
They also tackled the growing impact of climate change on food systems, the loss of agrobiodiversity, and the importance of local, sustainable food sources.
Through a creative activity called Food Security and Nutrition Superhero, participants expressed their ideas on how local vegetables help build healthier and more resilient communities.
The session was facilitated by the International Institute of Rural Reconstruction (IIRR), which drew from decades of work in nutrition-sensitive agriculture, Indigenous Fruits and Vegetables (IFVs), and bio-intensive gardening.
IIRR emphasized the value of youth leadership in tackling food insecurity and shared successful models that promote sustainable food production and nutrition advocacy at the grassroots level.
The Luzon-wide Children’s Congress was organized by World Vision Development Foundation – Philippines, an active member of the Scaling Up Nutrition Civil Society Alliance (SUN CSA) Philippines.
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