Canada approves P68 million for Philippines education program

MANILA, Philippines — Canada has approved C$1.9 million (about P68 million) for the implementation of the “1001 Nights Civic and Peace Education Program” in the Philippines.

At the recently concluded ASEAN Ministerial Conference, Canada announced the approval of the project that will provide training and educational support to 100,000 children and 3,500 teachers in 100 schools across the country.

The project will be delivered by Vancouver-based Big Bad Boo Studios Inc., in partnership with the Department of Education. The world-leading Canadian animation company works closely with a Philippine studio in Manila.

“1001 Nights” is a multi-platform educational entertainment program that uses cartoons to teach children life skills and civic values in formal and informal learning environments.

The program is based on a very popular and award-winning animated television series called “1001 Nights,” which has aired as commercial entertainment on premier television networks in over 70 countries to a global audience of over 100 million people.

“Canada is honored to be part of efforts by the Philippines Department of Education, to further promote the teaching of life skills and civic values to grade school Filipino children,” Canadian Ambassador Peter MacArthur said.

MacArthur said “This is especially important today as governments and parents around the world seek to address education for the next generation in the middle of a pandemic.”

The “1001 Nights Civic and Peace Education Program” promotes the adoption of life skills and civic values among six to 12 year-olds, including non-violence, human rights, democracy, gender equality, and the rule of law.

“Through the project, we hope and trust that Filipino children will develop an increased understanding of why diversity, inclusion, tolerance, non-discrimination and empathy are smart life choices leading to greater harmony and happiness,” he added.

This is the latest Canadian official development support to the Philippines Government. Canada previously announced C$3 million in assistance to boost the Philippines’ efforts against COVID-19, which includes an in-kind donation of N-95 respirator masks and additional funding for women’s health initiatives to mitigate the impact of the pandemic on women and girls.

US envoy departs

US Ambassador Sung Kim yesterday departed Manila, ending his four year tour of duty.

He made a farewell call to Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. at the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) last week.

Kim was appointed as Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States of America to the Republic of Indonesia.

Locsin thanked Kim for his commitment to the Philippines-United States alliance, including through the return of the Balangiga bells, and support for the modernization program of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).

The secretary noted that many other important milestones that served to further strengthen Philippines-US bilateral relations characterized Kim’s tour of duty here.

Locsin and Kim agreed to continue with planned future engagements that aim to strengthen the already robust Philippines-United States alliance through close cooperation in the areas of defense and security, economics and trade, and people-to-people links.