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CULTURAL COMMUNICATIONS TO CONFRONT CLIMATE CHANGE CRISIS
ROSES & THORNS by Alejandro R. Roces
The Philippine Star
April 17, 2007
Foreign Affairs Secretary Alberto Romulo opens a round-table cum exhibit with scientists, artists interfacing with different disciplines, media, business, church and education leaders in a focused discussion to forge a comprehensive creative cultural communications educational plan for Climate Change adaptation.
The worldwide observance of Earth Day Week is centered on confronting the crisis of Climate Change disasters — super typhoons, heat waves, super floods and droughts, landslides, claiming millions of lives and valuable properties. This is now a common sight not just in our country but in all parts of the world. The global crisis demands a collective action to mitigate further Climate Change catastrophe.
The interagency initiative is co-convened by the DFA through its UNESCO Phil. Commission headed by Ambassador Preciosa Soliven joined by the Earthsavers Movement founded by former Senator and currently Presidential adviser on Land Reform Secretary Heherson T. Alvarez who likewise serves in the Advisory Board for the Asian region of the Washington-based Climate Institute headed by Dr. John Topping.
This is in line with the President’s call through AO 171 creating the Presidential Task Force on Climate Change for massive nationwide public information campaign to educate Filipinos on Climate Change and its adverse effects and promote a culture of sustainable development in line with our commitment to mobilize cultural diversity for the UN Millennium Development Goals.
It is essential that scientific data be transmitted to the general population through relevant cultural symbols understandable to the general population so that they can appreciate the impact of Climate Change directly to their lives and respond positively. Any communications gap or absence of an effective information drive can retard development programs.
In a letter to NCCA Executive Director Cecile Guidote Alvarez, Dr. Hubert Gijzen, Director of the UNESCO Regional Science Bureau of Asia and the Pacific, conveyed his best wishes for a successful event. He hailed the Philippines’ pioneering effort and wrote, "I believe the topic is extremely important and deserves the attention it gets through this event. I look forward to hear about it including possible follow-up of actions. I promise to give priority to the Philippines."
The exhibit is coordinated by the National Museum while performance arts and media modules have been organized by the NCCA with the Philippine Center for ITI (International Theater Institute), Earthsavers DREAMS Ensemble/UNESCO Artist for Peace, Arts Association of the Philippines, Earthlink/Guardian of Nature, Radyo Balintataw, Cine Manila International and Institute of Comic Arts and Sciences to give models of various arts and media forms from Comics to Balagtasan, paintings, sculptures, installations, dance pieces/music compositions, radio soap and TV plugs and short digital features.
The occasion will also feature the Father Neri Satur Award ceremony to honor his heroism in defending the environment. The 2007 awardees are Archbishop Francisco Claver, champion of Indigenous People’s rights of habitat, history and heritage; the Management Association of the Philippines (MAP) which has had some good models of environmental practices; and Jerry Esplanada, journalist of Philippine Daily Inquirer, for his incisive reportage and commentary on environmental issues to underscore the value of bio-cultural diversity protection.
It is good to continually inspire our nation with examples of Public Service crystallized by the martyrdom of Father Neri Satur who served in Mindanao diocese, of our present Archbishop of Manila, Cardinal Rosales. To all the Organizing Committee members which include DENR, DOST, Pag-asa, DOH, DA among others and the Education Cabinet Cluster led by DEP-ED. Bravo!
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