Lasallian Youth Agenda (LAYA)

“Let no one look down on you because you are young, but be an example to the believers, in your
speech, actions, in your faith, love, and purity of life.” (1 Timothy 4:12)

I. On Being a Young Lasallian

“Associated in the Educational Mission, Young Lasallians, coming from different realities and
whatever their vocation, are called to be protagonists of a personal and community project
by becoming permeated with the Lasallian charism which shows itself in the linking of Faith,
Community and Service.”

Young Lasallians unite themselves around a common spirit and mission. Through a process
of discovery, sharing and integration, Young Lasallians live, in varying degrees, the following
five characteristics:

1. A vocation to be lived in reference to the charism of Saint John Baptist de La Salle and
his values;
2. A life of faith which discovers God in everyday reality in the light of Scripture and, for
persons of other religions, according to their own sacred texts;
3. A community experience lived in diverse ways and according to the identity of each
one;
4. A mission associated with the educational service of the poor and which implies a cer-
tain duration of time;
5. A universal openness which transcends the person and the local reality.” (ref. Profile of
Young Lasallians. http://www.lasalle.org)

Young Lasallians in the Philippines play a very important role as active participants in the
Lasallian Mission. Today, being a Lasallian Youth is regarded as a vocation which challenges
the young to strongly commit themselves to this educational mission in the service of the
young and the poor.

At present, the Lasallian Youth Commission (LYC), under the Lasallian Partners Office of the
La Salle Provincialate, handles the nationwide network of Lasallian youth groups. It is a body,
composed of students, young alumni, youth volunteers and those closely working with them,
that seeks to bring the youth to a deeper sharing and participation in the Lasallian tradition
and Mission.

LYC envisions itself as a pro-active organization of young dynamic Lasallians devoted to

empower the youth in nation building. Sharing in the mission of the De La Salle Brothers
and Lasallian Partners in uplifting the lives of the poor and youth at-risk through education,
the Commission responds by generating creative ideas and implementing valuable programs
that harness the potential and energy of the youth. Through the years, LYC has strengthened
the nationwide youth movement by having regional formation programs and a national

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 youth symposium to align all the youth efforts towards the mission of our Founder. LYC’s goal
is to synergize and coordinate the various youth programs and service projects from the dif-
ferent District schools.

II. the National Symposium of Young Lasallians (NSYL)

Inspired by the youth’s role as participants in the Lasallian Mission, the Lasallian Youth Com-
mission launched the National Symposium of Young Lasallians (NSYL). The first ever NSYL was
held from 21 to 27 October 2007 at the Phinma Training Center in Tagaytay. It served as the
venue for Lasallian youth in the Philippines to celebrate the unique Lasallian identity, know
about and appreciate the variety of best practices (service projects) undertaken by young
Lasallians nationwide, as well as identify opportunities in generating a more creative synergy
among youth groups based in Lasallian schools and the Lasallian young alumni.

Recognizing the diversity in terms of involvement of young Lasallians, each school was re-
quested to send representatives from the different youth sectors, as follows: student council/
government, council of student organizations or campus-based organizations, publications,
social action volunteers, student affairs office, young alumni, and young Brothers/postulants/
aspirants.

With the theme “Young Lasallians – One in a Mission: Possible,” the NSYL gathered 100 par-
ticipants from Lasallian schools all over the country. The program was geared towards creat-
ing a three-year LAsallian Youth Agenda (LAYA). LAYA was drafted in the hopes of having a
more progressive and effective Lasallian youth participation in the country. The Agenda will
consolidate the existing efforts of young Lasallians in order to produce a strong and more ef-
fective response in addressing current realities. It also sets the standard or becomes the refer-
ence point for the alignment of new youth-led programs/projects to the Lasallian Mission.

The shared knowledge and reflections during the NSYL gave rise to five main priorities
that the Lasallian youth commit to contribute to, from 2007 to 2010: Education, Governance,
Environment, Lasallian Youth Formation and Youth Involvement. LAYA is the Lasallian youth’s
input to the 2008 Philippine Lasallian Family Convocation.

The NSYL will be implemented every three years and at the end of each NSYL, the partici-
pants will assess the Agenda from the previous NSYL. They will also create new Agenda that
will reflect the social realities for that period and the commitments of the Lasallian youth in
response to these realities.

III. Agenda-Making Process

To allow the NSYL participants to effectively draft and approve of LAYA, a framework was
conceived prior to the Symposium. This framework guided the flow of activities scheduled for
the entire Symposium, wherein each activity was significantly building up to the next.

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 The processes included plenary sessions, focus group discussions and planning sessions.
LYC’s team of student volunteers/organizers played a crucial role in facilitating the group dis-
cussions and drawing out the necessary insights and output from the participants. The partic-
ipants, on the other hand, came prepared as they were provided with initial reading materials
for the Symposium and were selected as key decision-makers representing their respective
student organizations, who can also commit to implement the Lasallian Youth Agenda for the
next few years.

Moreover, the NSYL provided a venue to recognize both a sectoral and a regional network
for the Lasallian Youth. The sectoral network was characterized by the functions of respec-
tive student organizations, allowing for a more focused and united vision across the Lasallian
schools. Similarly, the regional network offered an opportunity for efficiency and support for
neighboring Lasallian schools.

A. Framework

To present and guide the flow of activities leading to the creation of LAYA, a simple, visual
representation was employed -- a tree. A tree is a universal image that is easy to relate to.
Moreover, the various parts of a tree allowed for the characterization of significant inputs for
the development of the Agenda.

Step Symbol Characteristics Activity in the Objective

NSYL
1 Elements Various external Plenary sessions on To identify
in the tree’s factors in the tree’s the National Situation relevant societal
environment surroundings that and Focus Group issues affecting
affect its growth Discussion the Lasallian
Youth
2 Roots The roots provide Plenary session on To identify the
nutrients and a firm Lasallian Identity values that
foundation for the and Focus Group Lasallian Youth
tree Discussion should exemplify
3 Trunk The trunk is a strong Convenors’ Meetings To consolidate
pillar supporting the and drafting of the the discussions
tree Lasallian Youth Agenda of the two
focus group
discussions
and allow the
selected group
leaders to
identify key areas
the Lasallian
Youth should act
upon
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 4 Branches The branches, Sectoral Planning To group the
attached to the participants
trunk, stem out to according to
provide more foliage the student
organizations
they represent in
order to concur
specific means
or programs for
the realization of
LAYA
5 Branches The branches, Regional Planning To group the
attached to the participants
trunk, stem out to according
provide more foliage to identified
regions
to further
identify ways
to implement
the specific
programs or
action plans
collectively
Figure 1. Tree Representation of the Framework

Regional Planning

Sectoral Planning

The 5-point
Societal Issues Lasallian Societal Issues
(on the economy, Youth (on the economy,
politics, education, Agenda politics, education,
environmental, faith environmental, faith
etc.) etc.)

Lasallian Values

Framework for drafting the Lasallian Youth Agenda: 1) Identification of relevant societal issues, 2) Identification
of Lassallian Values, 3) Prioritization of areas for the Lasallain Youth Agenda, 4) Sectoral Planning, recognizing
function and mandate, to contribute to the realization of the Agenda, and 5) Regional Planning, recognizing
geographicaland institutuinal resources, to contribute to the realization of the agenda.
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Program was as follows:
Timeline Objectives Methodology Input Output
• To discuss with National Plenary Focus Group
NSYL participants Situationer sessions Discussions
relevant societal with answering the
issues in the resource following:
areas of politics, speakers for 1. What are
economics, each area two-to-three
education, faith, of societal societal issues
and environment, issues are you most
among others. concerned or
• To identify societal passionate
issues affecting the about?
Lasallian Youth 2. How is
• To identify a
each issue
representative
manifested in
Day 1 to report on the
your school or
group’s discussions
and aid in the community?
synthesis of the
day’s proceedings
• To concur on areas Convenors’ Results of Among all the
to be prioritized in Meeting Focus Group issues raised in
the Lasallian Youth Discussions the previous
Agenda Focus Group
Discussion, which
issues should
be prioritized
collectively by
the Lasallian
Youth?
• To share personal Lasallian Plenary Focus Group
testimonies of how Identity session with Discussions
being a Lasallian is Lasallian answering the
a way of life guests following:
• To share with the who have 1. What are the
participants the exemplified three most
Day 2 Lasallian values of the Lasallian important
Faith, Service, and values in values to you?
Communion their lives 2. What is your
understanding
of Faith,
Service, and
Communion,
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 and how are
these manifested
in your
community?
• To concur on Convenors’ Results of Among all the
values that the Meeting Focus Group values identified
Day 2
(continued) Lasallian Youth Discussions in the previous
must be associated Focus Group
with Discussions, what
are the top three
values that the
Lasallian Youth
upholds?
Days 3-4 had teambuilding and recreational activities to intensify the Lasallian spirit and
foster a stronger bond among the NSYL participants.
• To group the Sectoral Lasallian Specific
participants Planning Youth objectives or
according to Agenda programs to
the student implement the
organizations Lasallian Youth
they represent Agenda on a
and to be able sectoral level,
to brainstorm guided by the
specific programs question:
What can we as
to implement the
ONE Lasallian
Lasallian Youth
<<student
Agenda
council, student
organization,
Day 5 student
publication,
volunteers, or
young alumni>>
contribute to
collectively
realize our
Lasallian Youth
Agenda?
• To group the Regional Lasallian Specific
participants Planning Youth objectives or
according to their Agenda programs to
regional affiliations implement the
Lasallian Youth
Agenda
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 and be able to on a regional
further identify level, guided by
means to collec- the question:
tively realize the What can we as
Lasallian Youth ONE Lasallian
Day 5 Agenda <<geographical
(continued) area/region>>
contribute to
collectively
realize our
Lasallian Youth
Agenda?
Figure 2. Visual Representation of Methodology

Plenary Sessions on: Plenary

Politics, Economics, Identify Societal Identify values Sessions on the:
Environmental, Issues affecting important to the Lasallian Youth
Education, and the Lasallain Lasallian Youth Identity
Religion Youth

Focus Group Focus Group

Discussions Discussions
Convenor’s Meeting
Each group elected a convenor to
report on their FGD’s. The group
convenors then synthesized the
issues raised

The Lasallian
Youth Agenda

Sectoral Planning Regional Planning

• Student Councils • Luzon North
• Student Organizations • Luzon Central
• Student Publications • Luzon south
• Student Volunteer Programs • Visayas
• Young Alumni • Mindanao

B. Output

The next section shows a summary of the output of each step in the abovementioned
process. Each focus group appointed a Convenor who would represent the group in the
Convenors’ meeting. The output is a result of the summary of each Convenors’ meeting held
after every focus group discussion.
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 Step 1: Elements in the Tree’s Environment
Various external factors in the tree’s surroundings that affect its growth.

The first day was dedicated to the discussion of different societal issues in order to draw out
from the participants their passions given the present realities. As a result of the summary of
the Convenors’ meeting, the identified/recurring passions for the youth were as follows:

Youth formation and transformation

➢ Lasallian/Youth Identity
➢ Values and attitude
➢ Spiritual formation

Involvement in societal issues

➢ Mobilization
➢ Lack of Concern/Apathy

Environment
➢ Education
➢ Advocacy (e.g. waste mgt. and pollution)

Governance
➢ Corruption

Education
➢ Quality
➢ Educating the poor
➢ Accessibility of education

Step 2: Roots
The roots provide nutrients and a firm foundation for the tree.

A talk show with exemplary Lasallians as guests was done in order to help facilitate the
second step. It sought to help Young Lasallians identify which values they should ground
themselves in. The following shows the summary of responses on the Lasallian identity and
values.

Faith and Spirituality (manifested by living up to the scriptures and living a prayerful life)
➢ Faith and Spirituality
➢ Relationship with God
➢ Love

Passion to Make a Difference (manifests selflessness, our willingness to sacrifice, and our
effort to be agents of change in our society)
➢ Compassion
➢ Commitment
➢ Making a difference
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 Unity (shown by establishing connections and linkages with others and strengthening our
Lasallian Youth network)
➢ Unity and Teamwork
➢ Cooperation
➢ Acceptance

IV. The Lasallian Youth Agenda (LAYA)

We, the Lasallian Youth of the Philippines, inspired by the charism of St. La Salle and guided
by the values of faith and spirituality, unity and our passion to make a difference, commit our-
selves to the realization of this Five-Point Lasallian Youth Agenda:

1. ON EDUCATION
• TO PUSH FOR A RELEVANT QUALITY OF EDUCATION GEARED TOWARDS NATION-
BUILDING
• TO FURTHER EXPAND THE ACCESSIBILITY OF THE LASALLIAN EDUCATION

2. ON GOVERNANCE
• TO ENCOURAGE THE PARTICIPATION OF THE YOUNG IN GOVERNANCE AND POLITICS
TO ENSURE TRANSPARENCY AND ACCOUNTABILITY

3. ON ENVIRONMENT
• TO DIRECT THE YOUNG IN BUILDING A CONSTITUENCY FOR THE ENVIRONMENT
WITHIN THE LASALLIAN FAMILY
• TO BE THE INITIATORS OF SUSTAINABLE PROGRAMS FOR THE ENVIRONMENT

4. LASALLIAN YOUTH FORMATION

• TO INCULCATE AND STRENGTHEN THE LASALLIAN IDENTITY BY LIVING OUT THE LA-
SALLIAN VALUES
• TO INSPIRE YOUTH EMPOWERMENT
• TO LIVE OUT OUR LASALLIAN IDENTITY AS EMPOWERED YOUTH

5. YOUTH INVOLVEMENT
• TO MOBILIZE THE LASALLIAN YOUTH IN ADDRESSING SOCIETAL ISSUES BY ENCOUR-
AGING THEM TO UTILIZE THEIR KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS FOR THE BETTERMENT OF
SOCIETY
• TO INTENSIFY THE INVOLVEMENT OF YOUNG LASALLIANS IN THE PROCESS OF SOCIAL
TRANSFORMATION

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 V. Next Steps

In the months prior to the Convocation, from January to April 2008, the Lasallian Youth
Commission will carry out the activities below as follow-through after the creation of LAYA:

• School-to-school awareness campaigns of LAYA (in coordination with LYC local coordi-
nators and NSYL participants); and
• Finalization of action plans, in coordination with the regional and sectoral networks.

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Published by the La Salle Provincialate, January 2008.