Cebu Normal University actively participates in the national coordination, planning, and alignment activities organized by UNESCO Philippine National Commission (UNACOM) and the National Coordinating Body of Clubs for UNESCO in the Philippines (NCBCUP) to promote UNESCO’s programs in the country. Dr. Janet Mananay, who is the Region 7 focal person for Global Citizenship Education and CNU (Supreme Student Council) SSC Adviser, represented CNU’s involvement in the event. Harold’s Evotel hosted a three-day event from March 1-3, 2024 which aimed to highlight numerous programs and initiatives under UNACOM. These included the International Geoscience and Geopark Programmes, Man and Biosphere (MAB) Programme, UNESCO World Heritage Programme, UNESCO Creative Cities Network (UCCN), and UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH) Programme.

The National Coordinating Body of Clubs for UNESCO in the Philippines showcased their achievements, obstacles, and upcoming strategies on the second day. Various committees shared their endeavors and proposals, emphasizing their support towards promoting UNESCO’s advocacies in the nation.

Representatives from UNESCO-accredited clubs in Cebu participated and shared their initiatives and activities that support UNESCO’s advocacies on the final day of the event. CNU’s SSC, Educator’s Council, and Nightingale Student Council presented their respective programs promoting UNESCO’s advocacies during the event. Vincent Mamhot, the CNU-Main SSC Chief Executive Secretary, shared the initiatives and projects conducted by the Supreme Student Council that aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals of the United Nations. The interactive session during the event also emphasized the importance of capacitating UNESCO-accredited clubs in Cebu to host the Y4U or Youth for UNESCO in 2025. It is the yearly gathering of representatives from all UNESCO-accredited clubs in the Philippines.

Dr. Janet Mananay highlighted the importance of reinforcing the basis and connections of all clubs and groups in Cebu before holding the Y4U occasion. There are already pre-planned efforts in place for the clubs in Cebu to advance UNESCO’s campaigns and cultivate a constructive synergy among the different organizations.

Words by: IFMSU and Kian Pasaylo