The Ateneo Peace Center of the Ateneo de Zamboanga University (ADZU), in partnership with the Institute for Autonomy and Governance (IAG), successfully hosted a Youth Voters’ Education forum titled, “OUR VOTE, OUR BANGSAMORO,” on Saturday, September 27, 2025, at the ADZU Lantaka Campus. The full-day event gathered registered youth voters from various BARMM provinces who are based in Zamboanga City to equip them with the knowledge and advocacy skills essential for participating in the region’s historic 2025 Parliamentary Elections.
The program directly addressed the need for civic awareness in a region where a majority of voters lack understanding of the new parliamentary system and electoral mechanics. Knowledge Experts led sessions on the historical context of the Bangsamoro Peace Process and the technicalities of the new parliamentary system. By demystifying the electoral process and detailing the structure of the 80-seat Parliament, the forum aimed to encourage critical and informed voting, ensuring participants understand the mechanisms of district, party-list, and sectoral representation.
The event culminated in a focused session on moral governance and a decisive “Call to Action.” Participants were strongly encouraged to transcend their role as mere voters and step into leadership as community advocates. Highlighting the power of youth engagement, Ateneo Center for Leadership and Governance (ACLG) Program Coordinator, Mr Troy Gian A Lim, inspired attendees by emphasizing: “We need to reclaim our space, to act, and to decide based on what is important to us and our community.” This sentiment reinforced the program’s objective to inspire active citizenship, ensuring the youth’s vote is a powerful tool for shaping policies on social justice, peace, and development. This initiative underscores the Ateneo Peace Center’s commitment to promoting lasting peace and democratic governance within the Bangsamoro region.
