Empowering the Next Generation: GD Law, NYC, and CIRIS Forge Partnership for Youth Civic Engagement
In a significant move to strengthen youth engagement on matters of national importance, GD Law has entered into a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with the National Youth Commission (NYC) and the Center for Information Resilience and Integrity Studies (CIRIS).
This strategic partnership brings together legal advocacy, information resilience expertise, and youth development leadership to address pressing issues affecting Filipino youth, especially those relating to the West Philippine Sea (WPS) and adolescent health.
At the heart of this collaboration is the shared recognition that young Filipinos must be properly equipped with accurate, accessible, and youth-friendly information on key national issues, highlighting those that involve sovereignty, security, and public well-being. The MOA formalizes the development and dissemination of youth-oriented knowledge products and activities, with a strong emphasis on countering misinformation and strengthening civic resilience.
A major focus of the partnership is West Philippine Sea advocacy. The WPS remains a matter of national concern, but public understanding, particularly among youth, has been hampered by disinformation and a lack of accessible education on the complexities of maritime law, geopolitics, and national sovereignty.
To address this gap, the parties have laid out several targeted initiatives:
SK Learning Modules and Lecture Series – The development of comprehensive learning materials designed for Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) officials and youth leaders that cover the current WPS situation, national interest issues, and ways to counter misinformation. CIRIS will spearhead conceptualization, design, and pilot rollouts of these modules, while NYC will institutionalize their use through official advisories and resolutions.
Youth Security Forum – A planned forum that will bring together youth stakeholders to discuss issues of national security, civic participation, and regional cooperation. This initiative aims to provide a platform for exchange, critical thinking, and deeper appreciation of the WPS’s relevance to young Filipinos.
PCA Arbitral Award Briefer and Comics – GD Law and CIRIS will collaborate on a layperson’s explanation of the 2016 Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA) Arbitral Award on the WPS. What sets this project apart is its transformation into a youth-oriented comic format, making legal content visually engaging and relatable for young audiences across communities.
Beyond WPS advocacy, the partnership also extends to adolescent health initiatives, addressing issues like teenage pregnancy and HIV/AIDS with evidence-based education and non-stigmatizing information. These efforts reinforce safe, informed decision-making among Filipino youth.
For GD Law, the ultimate goal of this collaboration is clear: to bridge the gap between law, public awareness, and youth empowerment. By equipping the next generation with the tools to understand national issues accurately, resist disinformation, and engage in constructive civic action, the partnership aims to cultivate a more informed, resilient, and proactive Filipino youth; ready to contribute meaningfully to the nation’s future.