Youth Circles of Dicernment

The Davao Association of Catholic Schools (DACS) – E-CHAMP was organized in 2013. It was envisioned to promote leadership and civic engagement among students and young people and to form them to become committed and empowered citizens. However, the ongoing pandemic has changed the situation of national elections and has limited the capacity for schools and students to be involved in electoral activities requiring physical presence in voting centers.

In the light of the coming 2022 elections, DACS-ECHAMP redirects its focus on voters’ formation through virtual (or when possible, face-to-face) Youth Circles of Discernment (YCD) and provide reflective spaces to articulate their personal and common vision of a peaceful and just society governed by God-fearing, compassionate, competent and wise leaders.

In line with the Davao Archdiocesan Social Action Center’s campaign on Political Education, the Davao Archdiocesan Youth Coordinating Apostolate (DAYCA), in coordination with DACS-ECHAMP, is now conducting the so called, YCD formation among the Parish Youth Leaders, to help the young people in discerning and choosing their candidates for the 2022 elections.

DAYCA began the YCD with the Sacred Heart of Jesus Vicariate attended by 18 Youth Leaders from San Miguel Parish in Marahan, San Isidro Labrador Parish in Lumondao, Most Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish in Calinan and St. John Paul II Parish in Los Amigos; and Immaculate Conception Vicariate in the Island Garden City of Samal attended by 14 Youth Leaders from Sta. Cruz Parish in Talicud, Sto. Niño Parish in Kaputian, Immaculate Conception Parish in Peñaplata and Virgen Dolorosa in Babak.

The Youth Circles of Discernment was successfully given to several core group members by DAYCA. The YCD focuses on voters’ formation, which the core group members will also give to youth leaders at the GKK level. This is in order for the youth to have proper discernment when choosing as to who are the candidates to vote for in the coming election. (Gie Rhea O. Jadulco | DAYCA Adhoc Member)