Ateneo de Zamboanga University’s SALAAM Organization has bloomed to greater heights as it reached its deserved recognition as one of the 2021 Outstanding UNESCO Clubs in the social & human sciences category in the Philippines.
According to the United Nations, Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), Clubs Philippines, out of 65 accredited UNESCO Clubs in the country, SALAAM – AdZU was one of the clubs recognized for their efforts to implement projects amidst the pandemic. In conformity with the International Assembly of Youth for UNESCO (Y4U), the awarding of the Certificate of Recognition will be on December 10-12, 2021.
Founded in 2017, SALAAM – AdZU serves as a student-volunteer of the Ateneo Peace Institute and associate of the Social Development Office, an advocacy-based student organization that nurtures youth participation in nation-building through peace, dialogue, and social action initiatives. SALAAM – AdZU is affiliated with the Salaam Movement of Ateneo de Davao University which both partake in the same mission of pursuing peace.
The Outstanding UNESCO Club Award acknowledges the organization’s efforts in building coalitions across communities and attaining the Sustainable Development Goals while strengthening dialogue and trust between people and institutions at all levels. This recognition pushes forth the call for excellence and service to untouched boundaries. The award will not only project itself as a recognition of the labors of SALAAM – AdZU but rather it will also translate into the revitalization, development, and trajectory of the Social Development Office for the years to come.
In an interview, Executive Director of SALAAM – AdZU Mr. Michael John Alipio stated that “I am proud to have our organization recognized by UNESCO-NCBUCP as an outstanding club for the year. Not all accredited organizations receive this, and we are happy to represent Zamboanga City as an awardee.” But this cream of the crop rise is no walk in the park nor a piece of cake, the fourth-year International Studies student revealed that behind the triumph, hardships were also met along the way as deadlines started lingering around. “This took the entire Executive Body weeks to prepare to ensure that we present to the body our full and detailed accomplishments for the entire year,” he said.
The acknowledgment was also treated as a focal footprint for the identification and assurance that SALAAM – AdZU, minuscule in comparison to most organizations, can also set an example in the great stage. As stated by Mr. Alipio in a question pertaining to the implications of the award, “This recognition affirms the work that we do is significant to the country and to the overarching objectives of UNESCO. And with this, we plan to continue working for our mission with the hopes of making impactful change in the peace and development of Mindanao.” rendering their efforts worthwhile.
The conduct of the selection of the clubs and organizations that were to receive the recognition was tedious and consisted of a deliberately large number of hopefuls. But to be sifted and chosen among the rest speaks volumes. That is, SALAAM – AdZU continues to exert subtle dominance in terms of efficiency and responsiveness in the presence of a global pandemic where they radiate the glistening reverie of every organization in the Ateneo Community. This proves to show that no matter how steep, high, or tantamount an ambition may be, once we put our hearts and passion for the purpose of serving the best interest of others, then nothing is impossible. What we need is to take every journey one step at a time. As quoted from the very words of Mr. Alipio, “Keep fighting the good fight! Let us live the Ignatian value of being men and women for and with others as we champion our advocacies in and out of the university.”
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Written by Patricia H. Sarabi and Darwish Alih M. Subahani
