Athrun Zala Soldier of ZAFT

I must admit that I was not at all excited to go to Bangkok last week. While many ordinary Filipinos like me would go to hell and back just to have that experience of traveling outside their country, I was not at all enthusiastic. It was that Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the Youth Coalition (YC), the international NGO which I am a member.

The thing was I just got back from Mexico City; again it was YC who sent me there. And while at Mexico, I was an emotional wreck firstly because it is the first time that I will be far away from my wife (she flew to Geneva before I left), and secondly we had a death in the family. Not exactly the best conditions to be out there on the other side of the world really. And then I had to fly to Bangkok for the AGM….

After all the thinking and weighing of consequences, I did go eventually. That of course was without expecting much as I am still recovering from the loneliness.

The minute I got off the plane, I somewhat prepared myself for long hours of meeting and policy talk. Well, you can’t blame me as I am used to this kind of stuff the minute I stepped into the “real world.” Meetings like this are all the same to me. Well I was in for a surprise!

YC works differently with most NGOs I know as it is the members who are all volunteers who do most of the work in relation of course to the staff. The members are not simply old maids, technocrats and what-have-you’s who always see themselves as keepers to the answer to the worlds problems. We work mostly on emails and volunteer our time when there are meetings and activities that need to be done. Well I know we work that way, but when I got to see most of the members in Bangkok, I never thought that YC does its work in style!!!

The minute the sessions started on the first day, it felt like I was transferred in a workshop or party or something that is so interestingly fun you’ll never know you are working. There are dull moments but most of them are overshadowed by the fact that I did enjoy myself the whole day. Not to mention the fact that I have never seen such a dedicated bunch of young people who never run out of ideas and things to do just to advance their cause.

I had my share of youth participation advocacy here in the Philippines and I actually till do, but being in the YC made me think that we Filipinos have a lot to be done in order to go that way. As for the organization’s dynamics, I have never seen such a cohesive group and an environment wherein you can argue your points, come up with a consensus and still remain friends afterwards. I’d hate to share this but I had a terrible experience working with a volunteer membership organization which actually led to my being burnt out in the NGO work for quite sometime. At YC, when we talk of working committees and task forces, they really take it to the letter. One would feel shame for him or herself if they think they can be a member just for the “ride.”

And at the end of the day, man, these kids know how to party. Well, I wasn’t really taking part in those but I admire them for knowing how to have fun. Something that for some reason never got to stay a bit in my system! I am working out on it to help me ease a little bit out of my so-called shell. I am not there yet and hopefully I get there somehow before I age out. 

I was having so much fun and enjoying myself in their company that I never realized that the week has ended and that it was time for us to part ways. This AGM happens only once a year, but what we accomplished during the week is something that some organizations will do for the next three or even six months, if not an entire year. I was even proud of myself for not giving up and deciding to go to Bangkok.

I have learned a lot and many new friends. I even had the chance to ride the tuktuk when in all the years I visited Thailand I never had the courage to do so. That AGM has led me to be more confident in the things that I do not only for YC but in future organizations and even at work. I am o glad that I took that flight and am so excited to take some flights more.

Love you YC People. You rock!