During the summit, the participants were able to share and understand each other’s work and views, freely express opinions, collaborate on how they can empower the marginalized sectors, develop participation and leadership, leave with new learnings, and able to adopt best practices shared within their own organizations and communities. It introduced the principle of ‘Leave No One Behind’ and taught the grantees to be mindful and open, and to learn to listen with an open heart and mind. Dialogue and Dissent was emphasized with the grantees and stakeholders coming to understand that even though each organization has alternative or dissenting views, linking and learning enables them to dialogue and openly discuss issues without fear of discrimination or judgment Also, the objective of the first summit of creating a sense of community was further enriched with the emphasis given on there being strength in coming together. All the organizations with their differing goals, advocacies, concerns and issues, are the same in wanting to do something for the common good which, if amplified, can help the reach their goal for a better Philippines. The inclusive community was best captured in the summit’s taglines: #LahatKasama, #LahatKasali, #NoOneLeftBehind. The second National Linking and Learning Summit was held in October 28-30, 2019. Entitled D2: Dialogue and Dissent, the summit was made more significant due to the entry of a new batch of grantees. By this time, the number of grantees had reached the 40th mark. Though more challenging in terms of coordination and monitoring, the bond and sense of community among the older grantees helped make it easier.
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We wired our minds to think about different activities. What elements should we put together so that it becomes a space for conversation. Because when everybody is telling their story, there are those listening attentively to their story, which leads to a dialogue. Telling my perspective and getting the perspective of others. It becomes a dissent when there is some form of disagreement. Without necessarily going into a resolution, you accept that this is where you are right now, and you somehow allow that idea to flourish, and understand that this is the real context of each of the rightsholder groups. This is part of strategy to get the rightsholder groups to share their own story and their own perspectives.” - JR Demecais, Co-Founder and President, YGOAL Inc. Thank you for the additional knowledge and opportunity to know more people. I never expected that I would be having this kind of experience in the Summit. This event was different from all the trainings and seminars I attended since in the normal events only the facilitators and organizers are the ones leading the events. But in this summit, you allowed us to also participate in facilitating the program. I am really amazed with the new learnings I gained.” - Voice Grantee
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