In November 2010, I wrote an article on youth and the Mexican drug-related conflict as seen through Twitter to apply to the ICRC Young Reporter Competition. It turns out I was selected, along with a few other young writers from all over the world, to visit an ICRC mission to report on the situation of youth who face armed conflict. In my case, the visit took place in the Philippines in January 2011.
Since November, I’ve been writing about this experience, and it is only now in June that I get a sense of closure (I finished all the planned blog posts!).
This is a ‘navigation guide’ for all the things I’ve posted.
Original image by Niklas Pivic, at http://www.flickr.com/photos/44124300615@N01/25957602/
First up is the article I submitted to the contest: The Tweets that Spoiled the Party
Then, fast forward to January, the post I wrote on my way to the Philippines as my visit to the field became imminent: The Start of a Journey
Then, the outcomes of this visit:
Articles/features
– The article I wrote for the ICRC on youth and the armed conflict in Mindanao, Philippines: Youth in Conflict: Pinoy Perspectives . This post includes some other related ICRC materials.
– A feature for the ICRC delegation in the Philippines on the Davao Jubilee Center, an institution that helps people with disabilities: Smiling Lessons in Davao Jubilee Center.
Personal reflections on the experience
– A post on what I considered the most important moment of the trip: The highlight of the experience.
– A post on two development rockstars I met while in Mindanao: Meeting with local legends.
– A post on war-related reflections I had only once I immersed myself in a zone that is affected by armed conflict: Conflict and thought exercises.
– During my trip, I realized young beneficiaries in Maguindanao owned mobile phones. A post on this topic, and on our perceptions of beneficiaries in general: How we perceive beneficiaries.
Photoblogging
– Photos and commentary from one of my visits to internally displaced communities in Mindanao: Visiting Maguindanao part I (vegetable garden), and part II (interviews with youth).
– Some photos and commentary from the fun-filled day I spent with young volunteers in the Metro-Manila area: A day with Red Cross Youth from Rizal.
Touristy, food-obsession-related
– Tons of photos and information on the Filipino cuisine I got to put in my mouth during my visit. Enough to fill three posts! Pinoy eating, part I (traditional dishes and seafood), part II (produce and snacks), part III (sweets and drinks).
And finally, for the World Red Cross and Red Crescent Day, I went along with the other young reporters to present my article in the ICRC headquarters in Geneva. I wrote three posts on this visit: The Geneva report part I, part II and part III (the presentation of our work).
Thank you for this opportunity and for all the life teachings, ICRC!
Image credits: © CICR/Sem Dalumpines, Joey; Simon Oliver, www.illuminarti.com
The here shown material has been produced with the authorization of The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC). However, it does not necessarily reflect the ICRC’s views, and the ICRC may not be held liable for any content here shown.