30/06/2014
CPU hosts int’l service program
Date posted: July 1, 2014
ILOILO City – Central Philippine University (CPU) plays hosts to an International Service – Learning Program that started on June 29 and ends on July 11.
The event consists of a three-day conference and 10 days of service in communities affected by super typhoon “Yolanda” in Panay and Negros islands.
The “Learning from Yolanda: Disaster Response, Community Resilience and The Role of Asian Universities” is sponsored by the United Board for Christian Higher Education in Asia (UBCHEA).
Founded in 1922, UBCHEA is a Christian organization that works in partnership with higher education institutions in 13 countries and regions of Asia.
It promotes justice, reconciliation and harmony between ethnic and religious communities, gender equity, care for the environment and civil society.
The program goal is to provide an opportunity for UBCHEA partner institutions in Asia to express their solidarity by sharing knowledge, skills and practical assistance to affected communities, as well as learning from the experience.
Attended by over 200 participants, the event kicked off with a presentation on Natural Disasters and Community Resilience by Mark Pixley, managing director, Leadership Inc.
It was followed by discussion with panelists who spoke on their corresponding topics:
Ecological Impacts – Dr. Jurgenne H. Primavera
Community and Society Impact — Prof. Mark Lawrence Cruz
Responses by Government Organizations – Jerry Bionat
Responses by Aid Agencies — Rex Arnold Alamban; and
Responses by Churches – Bro. Edwin D. Araña.
On June 30, Fr. Ben Nebres, former president ofAteneo de Manila University and UBCHEA trustee, spoke on disaster response, community resilience and the role of universities.
Another panel discussion followed where Dr. Paulus Bawole, Wei Wei, Engr. Dexter Lo, representatives from Indonesia, China and Philippines shared their best practices.
Other resource persons were:
Dr. Brian Hal, University of Macau – Psycho-Social Responses to Disaster
Dr. Teodoro Robles, CPU president and Dr. Ma Teresa Cosico, Filamer Christian University – Role in Promoting Community Resilience
CPU Prof. Rodel Palomar and Prof. Pedro Galeno – Orientation to Philippine Culture and Small Group Activities on Philippine Culture.
Today, Dr. Ben S. Malayang III, president of Silliman University, will speak on natural disasters, climate change, public policy and the role of universities.
The session is open to faculty and staff of other universities in the city.
Co-hosting the event are the University of St. La Salle, Silliman University, Filamer Christian University, and College of St. John College./PN
