UPV Skimmers holds webinar series on disinformation and youth initiatives

Emphasizing the role of the youth during the global health crisis, UPV Skimmers, in collaboration with the CMS 110 (Development Media) class, hosted an online event entitled, ‘Youth on a Mission’, a two-part webinar series on fighting disinformation in the new normal and forwarding youth initiatives during the pandemic.

The event gathered youth participants from all over the country to discuss the COVID-19 myths and disinformation that have arisen during the pandemic and how the youth can combat these fake narratives. Talks regarding youth initiatives in times of COVID were also further discussed on the following day.

The first day of the webinar series commenced on June 6, 2021, with Dr. Mary Joy Castroverde from DOH Region 6, DOH Undersecretary Dr. Maria Rosario Vergeire, and NEDA Undersecretary Rosemarie G. Edillon as guest speakers. On the other hand, Patricia Matute, Rhadem Musawah, Sam Sadorra, and Dr. Christian Gomez were the speakers of the second session on June 16, 2021.

The speakers were given 30 minutes to discuss their topics, followed by an open forum to provide participants with an opportunity to ask their questions.

Topics for the two sessions included busting COVID myths, knowing more about vaccines, and interpreting COVID stats, it also covered youth initiatives, project pitching, project management and preparing, and applying for grants.

To culminate the event, CMS 110 adviser Professor Jude Vincent Parcon emphasized the importance of the role of the youth during the pandemic.

“There will never be a perfect formula for development, but as our esteemed speakers have discussed early on, we must always remember our ‘whys’ and to always think of ways to put our youth in the society. From our topics on COVID disinformation on day one to the topics on youth initiatives today, I am glad that we have started this important conversation in this event,” he said. (Angelika Buergo)