JOSHUA Cachin Agpaoa, a local of Baguio City, will be joining the Global Peace Chain’s (GPC) 2021 summit, representing the Philippines and as the only delegate from the ASEAN community.
An initiative of the GPC, the Global Peace Summit Turkey 2021 gathers young individuals who aspire to be leaders and peacebuilders. It aims mainly to guide the youth about the United Nations (UN) Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and help them in achieving these 17-point SDGs.
The conference will provide an opportunity for participants from around the globe to exchange ideas and projects related to peace. Focus areas include peacebuilding, inclusivity, innovation, and curiosity. Emphasis will also be given to ideas within the themes beyond disability, a trip down the COVID-19 Saga, and diversity as a dream city. The event will be in Istanbul, Turkey, from October 27 to 30, 2021.
Part of his application proposal for the summit was to be introduced to the ASEAN education network and its work on policy development. He hopes to contribute later to opportunities to maximize cooperation and unity in the ASEAN, particularly in the education sector.
Agpaoa says he is thrilled to be joining the global summit, especially at a very challenging time. Despite his hesitation due to the pandemic, he was nonetheless motivated to push through with his application as it has always been his goal to attend international conferences to gain new perspectives on global issues. He said that this year’s topic on religious tolerance, diversity, and inclusivity is relevant to his context as a Filipino and a member of the ASEAN community. He sees it as particularly relevant in addressing regional maritime disputes and religion-related insurgencies.
Agpaoa is into studies of Philippine-China relations, specifically in understanding Filipino perceptions and public opinions on China. He envisions to attain knowledge and training in policy development in the education and international relations sectors, relevant to his pursuit of a Master of Laws in International Relations degree at the Jinan University in China.
According to Agpaoa, this stint aligns with his aspirations as a Baguio local, an artist, and a youth ambassador. He said that he has seen how his cultural roots, academic training, and experiences in different countries have come together. “During my studies in Indonesia, my art practice as interpreted in the traditional Indonesian batik textile design, conveyed political and religious sentiments,” Agpaoa expressed.
Agpaoa graduated with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Visual Arts at the University of the Philippines Baguio and has previously been a participant in the Asia Pacific Youth Forum 2016 in Nepal, the ASEAN Youth Volunteer Program 2017 in Malaysia, and the World Bank Youth Summit 2018 in Washington D.C., USA. – JL Lazaga
