Pol Sci students tackle Asean integration

POLITICAL science students stressed the need for the National Government to educate the public on the integration of Southeast Asian countries starting this year.

Around 500 political students from 35 colleges and universities nationwide are set to sign a “formal declaration” on Saturday to show their commitment to promoting the integration of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean).

The “Sugbu Declaration” is part of the five-day activities of the Political Science Students’ Association of the Philippines’ (PSSAP) 7th Annual National Convention in Cebu.

Jessie Ladeth Contento, PSSAP national president, told Sun.Star Cebu yesterday that this year’s convention is focused on educating political science students on the impending Asean integration.

Ignorance

Contento, a Pol Sci student of the Cebu Normal University, said the need to educate the public about the Asean Integration is due to lack of knowledge.

While 10 Asean member countries, including the Philippines, are expected to integrate before the end of the year, Contento laments that only a few people know what the impending integration is all about.

“While the integration is slowly starting, we hope to mainstream and empower the public on what there is know about the Asean integration,” he added.

With the signing of the “Sugbu Declaration,” not only will the students declare and commit to help the Asean in educating the public, Contento added.

Contento said he hopes that more youth-oriented policies being introduced in other Asean countries will be introduced in the Philippines as part of the eventual integration.

Policy for youth

Some of the policies they want pushed is reforms for the youth sector, such as improving the Sangguniang Kabataan. Contento said the convention also helps to arm students on the different types of political systems that are being practiced by Asean member countries.

The signing of the Sugbu Declaration will be witnessed by Undersecretary Leon Flores III of the National Youth Commission (NYC).