The VoiceMaster Speaks at the Launching Ceremony of Microlectures on Youth’s Contributions to Poverty Alleviation Program

The All-China Youth Federation (ACYF) hosted the Opening Ceremony of Cloud-Classes on Youth Contributions to Poverty Alleviation Program on December 31, 2020 from 9:30 AM until 11:30 AM. Filipino motivational speaker Pocholo "The VoiceMaster" Gonzales was invited to be one of the country's delegates at the event.

The program, co-organized by Guangxi University for Nationalities and co-hosted by the Guangxi Youth Federation and China (Guangxi) International Youth Exchange Institute, aims to build a cooperative platform and promote the exchange and cooperation for youth and youth organizations of China and ASEAN member states in the field of poverty alleviation. 

The launching ceremony was graced by officials of the All-China Youth Federation, officials of the Guangxi Youth Federation, representatives of the China Guangxi International Youth Exchange Institute, representatives of Guangxi local university students (off-line), and representatives of the ASEAN Leaders Training Program (on-line). 

The following Philippine delegates who were former students of the ASEAN Leaders Training Program in Guangxi, China represented the country at the said ceremony: Romblon Vice Governor Felix Ylagan, Pocholo Gonzales, Eric Ramos, Kevin Sanchez, Ericka Vernadette Sallador, Sammy Grubanzo, and Mitzi Austero.

ACYF Deputy Secretary-General Wu Wei and Guangxi Youth Federation President Liao Changyou delivered their opening speeches, expressing their gratitude to all the attendees of the online/off-line activity whose main goal is the elimination of poverty in all nations as embodied in the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. China youth’s contribution to poverty alleviation was also presented through videos/short lectures. Participants from the ASEAN region were also asked to share their respective inputs.

Mr. Pocholo Gonzales of the Philippines highlighted in his sharing that ending poverty is a part of the 17 global goals that make up the UN’s 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and that the youth has a vital role in both responding immediately in cushioning the negative effects of the Covid-19 pandemic, but also reinventing itself to find ways to take things forward. He also added that the event organized by the ACYF is very important but, without international cooperation, all the suggested solutions are empty talk.

In closing, Mr. Gonzales mentioned that: “Youth are essential actors in finding solutions to the issues faced by young people in the world today. Their energy and leadership have been demonstrated across the world, and they must be fully engaged in social development themselves and supported in this work by their societies. Youth development is also a key driver for poverty eradication around the world. Among the greatest challenges facing many countries today are inadequate human capital investment and high unemployment rates among the youth. Young people should acquire the education and skills needed to contribute to a productive economy, and they need access to a job market that can absorb them into its labor force.”

The activity was capped off with a photo session facilitated by the organizers.