Life Today PH

MANILA — Ahead of the global observance of World Population Day on July 11, the Commission on Population and Development (CPD), the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) in the Philippines, and the Center for Health, Solutions and Innovations Philippines (CHSI) convened the Youth Aspirations Forum at Rizal Technological University. The event brought together youth leaders, government officials, and advocates to address how the nation can better champion its youngest citizens.

Anchored on this year’s global theme, “Realizing the hopes and aspirations of young people for their futures,” the forum underscored the critical need to invest in the rights, well-being, and opportunities of young Filipinos as they navigate an increasingly complex world.

United Nations Resident Coordinator in the Philippines Arnaud Peral underscored the vital role of young people in shaping the country’s future. 

“Young people are already leading the way. Their innovative ideas, leadership, and participation are helping shape a more inclusive and sustainable future. Our collective responsibility is not only to invest in young people, but to listen to them and work alongside them,” Peral said.

UNFPA Philippines Country Representative Neus Bernabeu emphasized the importance of creating conditions that allow young people to realize their aspirations. 

“UNFPA’s latest Demographic Futures Survey, which gathered the perspective of more than 100,000 young people across 73 countries, tells us that young people know what they want for their futures, but many do not see their circumstances allowing them to achieve those aspirations. The challenge really is not choosing between a career and a family, but having genuine opportunity to pursue both.” 

“Expanding choice requires investments and policies that create the enabling conditions for the younger generation to thrive. Every young person should be able to make informed decisions about their lives and futures with dignity and equal opportunity,” Bernabeu added.

CPD Deputy Executive Director Lolito Tacardon highlighted the importance of adopting a life cycle approach in developing policies that respond to the realities and aspirations of young people, citing recent findings from the Longitudinal Cohort Study on the Filipino Child supported by UNFPA..

“The Study shows us that aspirations are not formed in a single moment as they are built over time. While 98 percent of Filipino children were in school at age 10, by age 18 enrollment had declined to 89 percent, with financial problems, work, pregnancy, and early union identified as key barriers,” Tacardon said. 

 “These figures remind us that young people’s aspirations are shaped by cumulative experiences across childhood, adolescence, and young adulthood. A life-course approach recognizes that development does not happen in isolated stages. Investments made in early childhood strengthen outcomes in adolescence. Creating an enabling environment to foster reproductive agency or choice is still what CPD calls for. As the Philippines advances as an upper-middle-income country, we must ensure that our policies and programmes create enabling conditions at every stage of life so that every young Filipino can reach their full potential,” Tacardon ended.

The Youth Aspirations Forum reflects the shared commitment of CPD, UNFPA, and CHSI to place young people at the center of national policy.

As the Philippines advances as an upper-middle-income country, investing in young people has never been more important.

Expanding access to quality education, decent work, healthcare, and social protections will help ensure that young people can make informed choices about their futures, reach their full potential, and contribute to a more inclusive, resilient, and sustainable Philippines.