In a rapidly changing world, young voices are often the driving force behind societal transformation. One such voice is Robyn Camille Mijares, a 23-year-old leader making waves in Filipino youth advocacy and community empowerment.
As the founder and executive director of Youth Uprising Philippines, Mijares is committed to equip marginalized Filipino youth with education on environmental and agricultural sustainability. Through her work, she has inspired movements addressing some of the country’s most pressing issues.
Her work recently earned the Women’s International Network for Disaster Risk Reduction (WIN DRR) Rising Star Award. She is the first Filipino to receive the prestigious award, which was presented on Oct. 16, at the 2024 Asia-Pacific Ministerial Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction (APMCDRR) in Pasay City.
Mijares received a plaque and a $7,500 cash prize, which is nearly half a million pesos, courtesy of SM Prime.
In her acceptance speech, Mijares acknowledged the remarkable achievements of fellow finalists who like her, played a pivotal role in understanding, preventing, and reducing disaster risk in the world’s most disaster-prone (Asia-Pacific) region. The other finalists were Nayyab Ali from Pakistan, India’s Dr. Nairwita Bandyopadhyay, Indonesia Country Manager for Build Change Arch. Mediatrich Triani, New Zealand’s Jewel Luti Leao Tuitama, and Nepal’s Eng. Liva Shrestha.
She shared her award with these women, saying: “This recognition does not only go to me but more so to the thousands of young people who have inspired and propelled our journey together with writing and news. Each story we’ve shared is not just a testament to resilience, it’s a call to action.”
“Growing up in the Philippines, I didn't learn about disasters through textbooks or science classes. I saw it through every day experiences, whether it be leaky ceilings when the rain was too strong or walking through knee-deep floods when I was just trying to get to school.
“Disaster wasn’t a far-off concept for us. It was a part of life. Every typhoon or flood, it was not just a headline. It was our reality,” she added.
Empowering the youth
Mijares’ journey into advocacy began in her teenage years, but it was during the Covid-19 pandemic that her focus sharpened. The global crisis highlighted the fragility of food security and exacerbated issues like unemployment and hunger. Her response was the “Oh my, GARDEN: Grow Your Own Food Contest”—a grassroots initiative empowering young people to combat hunger through sustainable agriculture.
This initiative not only taught young Filipinos how to grow their own food but also fostered self-sufficiency and resilience.
Reflecting on her personal experiences while growing up in a disaster-prone country, Mijares shared: “Disaster wasn’t a far-off concept for us. It was part of life.”
Building sustainable futures
Mijares made her efforts concrete by founding the Grow School Philippines, the first bamboo farm school in the country, located in Nasugbu, Batangas. The school offers free environmental and agricultural education, providing hands-on learning through outdoor classrooms.
By reconnecting students with nature and instilling the values of sustainable farming, Mijares aims to inspire future generations to take up farming as a profession and to foster a deeper connection with the environment. Through her initiatives, Mijares has reached over 98,000 public school students, a remarkable feat for such a young leader.
Her mission, however, extends beyond education—it’s about creating a hunger for change.
Global recognition, advocacy
Mijares’ efforts have gained international recognition, with numerous accolades from organizations like UNICEF Philippines, Sony Music Philippines, and Oxfam Pilipinas.
Her advocacy transcends food security, touching on gender equality, youth empowerment, and sustainable development. Notably, she was selected to participate in Barack Obama’s Youth Southeast Asian Leaders Initiative (YSEALI) and has spoken at prestigious platforms like TEDx and Vogue Philippines.
Her work stands as a testament to the power of grassroots leadership in addressing global challenges, reminding us that even the smallest actions can have a ripple effect.
Despite Mijares’ numerous achievements, she remains grounded, attributing her success to the support of her family, friends, and the youth who continue to inspire her.
A vision for a united front
Looking ahead, Mijares envisions Youth Uprising Philippines as a key force for change, not only in the country but across Southeast Asia. She hopes to strengthen networks with other youth organizations in the region to collectively tackle the challenges faced by young people.
Her message to the youth: “You are the change-makers. You have the power to shape the future. Don’t wait for permission to lead—start today.”
As she continues to lead by example, she serves as a beacon of hope, showing that young leaders have the capacity to create meaningful change, not just for their communities but for the world.
WIN DRR is a professional network supported by the United Nations Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR) and the government of Australia that promotes and supports women’s leadership in DRR throughout the Asia-Pacific region.
Its Leadership Awards are part of the UNDRR’s flagship women’s leadership initiative and Rising Star Award is awarded to an individual woman who has established capability early in her career.