October 24, 2025 – United Nations Day
As the world commemorates 80 years since the founding of the United Nations, the Philippines stands proud among the global community of nations continuing to uphold the UN’s vision of peace, dignity, and shared prosperity.
In humble contribution to this legacy, the (UNGC) — through its Founder and President Jenny Pearl Bautista Ninalga — joined partners and advocates across education, the arts, and social innovation in advancing initiatives that celebrate the theme “Building the Future Together.”
Throughout October, UNGC led a series of transformative programs connecting learning,creativity, sustainability, and peace-building in meaningful ways that bring the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to life.
The establishment of UN Peace Centers were made possible with the steadfast partnership and support of the G United Nations Association (G UNA), under the leadership of Mr. Roderick “Ric” Cruz, Interim Past President of UNA Philippines and President G UNA Chapter.
Special thanks are extended to the G UNA Board of Trustees, whose continuing commitment to peace, education, and collaboration has inspired this movement of unity and hope.
World Changers Academy: Empowering a New GGC
The month began with the official launch of the World Changers Academy (WCA) on October 9, 2025, a pioneering education initiative of the United Network of Global Citizens (UNGC) that aims to advance Global Citizenship Education through transformative learning and advanced technologies
The Academy cultivates changemakers who think globally, act locally, and live purposefully —empowering learners to translate the SDGs into everyday action.
At its core, the WCA is powered by visionary leaders: Coach Dino Badilla, Founding Faculty Director for Global Leadership Education Coach Maricar B. Sandalo, Founding Faculty Director for Human Development and Empowerment
Direk Logie Ninalga, UNGC Vice President for Operations, Partnerships & Linkages Prof Pilar Bautista, UNGC Vice President for Education, Communications, and Community Development
Ms Ma Leonila Garcia, UNGC PRO and Media Team Leader, also a Founding faculty Director for the Media Studies and Journalism Institute Mr Enzo Beltran, UNGC Young Professionals Group, Founding Faculty for Youth and Entrepreneurship Development & Empowerment and guided by Direk Jenny Pearl Bautista Ninalga, who bridges storytelling, education, and advocacy under the UNGC.
The Lakaran Project and InnerStory Workshop: Art Meets Activism From October 10–15, the movement traveled to Iloilo for the Lakaran Project, a mini-series inspired by the legacy of the late Nicanor “Nick” Perlas, whose vision for regenerative futures and social threefolding continues to influence the Philippines’ sustainable path.
The project was produced in partnership with the Solution Ecosystems Activator (SEA) under the leadership of Executive Director Anne Fanega, with Cheryl Luis serving as Production Manager.
The Lakaran filming explored how local communities, through participatory governance and collaboration, embody the essence of “building the future together.”
During the visit, Direk JP Ninalga also conducted the InnerStory Acting Workshop, blending social artistry and narrative therapy to help participants reconnect with empathy, authenticity, and purpose as storytellers for peace.
Casa Alegria Tagaytay: The First Artists’ UN Peace Center.
On October 17, the advocacy reached a new creative milestone with “The Story of Us,” an InnerStory Workshop on peace and humanity at Casa Alegria Tagaytay.
The following day, October 18, Casa Alegria was officially conferred as a UN Peace Center and Global Citizens Hub, recognizing it as an artists’ community dedicated to dialogue, creativity, and shared humanity through art.
During the event, Mr. Alvin Carranza — environmental advocate, visionary entrepreneur, and supporter of community development — was honored with the World Changer Award by UNGC, celebrating his enduring contributions to sustainable entrepreneurship and social responsibility.
Taal Vista Hotel: Heritage Meets Sustainability The legacy continued on October 21, with the Conferment of Taal Vista Hotel as a UN Peace CGC, in partnership with SM Hotels and Conventions Corp. (SMHCC).
This historic landmark embodies how sustainability, culture, and peace can thrive together. At the event, Ms. Elizabeth T. Sy, President of SMHCC, was honored with both the UNA Presidential Medal and the World Changer Award, recognizing her leadership in advancing environmental stewardship, cultural heritage, and inclusive growth within the hospitality industry.
The ceremony gathered members of the Diplomatic Corps, UNESCO, CHED, DepEd, G UNA, and UNA Philippines, alongside business and media leaders — with the event’s prolific Media Team led by Ma. Leonila Garcia, UNGC Public Relations Officer, whose direction ensured that every story of peace and partnership reached a wider audience.
UN@80: Building the Future Together
The United Nations’ 80th Anniversary theme, “Building the Future Together,” came alive through these milestones.
From classrooms to communities, from storytelling to sustainability, the UNGC continues to bridge education, art, and advocacy to nurture a culture of peace and empathy.
As Jenny Pearl Ninalga shared in her keynote:
“Beyond goals lies a deeper responsibility — to raise a generation of global citizens who not only demand change but embody it. Because peace does not begin in policies, but in people.”
Through the World Changers Academy, the InnerStory Movement, and the creation of UN Peace Centers nationwide, UNGC proves that every space can be a platform for peace — and every story, a voice for hope.
📩 𝘋𝘔 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘊𝘰𝘭𝘭𝘢𝘣𝘴, 𝘍𝘦𝘢𝘵𝘶𝘳𝘦, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘗𝘳𝘰𝘮𝘰𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘴 ⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️
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