More than 500 students of Xavier University (XU) in Cagayan de Oro City participated in an INCITEGov-led online political education series from February to May 2023 as part of their National Service Training Program (NSTP).

The monthly three-hour sessions were based on INCITEGov's Politics-Governance-Development (P-G-D) modules and delved into the following topics:

• Power and democratic leadershipM
• Values clarification
• Authentic humanism
• Citizen's vision for development
• Social contract and good governance
• The importance of engaging in politics

"The modules were really well thought out from the first module to the fourth module. Even if the students were absent in the first or in the second session, they could still relate to the topic and to the module because it's sequenced in a way that's relatable, understandable and easy to follow," one XU-NSTP formator said during the program's evaluation meeting.

The four-part political education series were conducted on Feb. 18, March 18, April 15 and May 13.

Due to the high number of registrants, XU-NSTP hosted three timeslots for each session date and further divided the attendees into two to three clusters per timeslot to ensure that the discussions would be manageable and engaging.

A word cloud illustrating one cluster's response to the question, "What are your dreams/aspirations for your community and the country?" during Session 2 of the political education series

Individuals from INCITEGov's partner organizations and sectors-Joanna Caumeran (EveryWoman), Jobelle Alzate and Nathaniel Revilla (Young Professionals Network), and Ric Charles Cayat and Alyannah Lagasca (Youth for Mental Health)-facilitated the cluster discussions with at least 50 attendees each. An XU student also led a cluster discussion during the pilot session.

Meanwhile, XU-NSTP formators and student volunteers led by Dennise Edwina Saarenas-Gonzales provided technical support and oversight for each cluster.

Aside from the large group sessions, INCITEGov also facilitated eight P-G-D sessions for the two NSTP classes under Gonzales.

Twenty-five to 30 students attended the three-hour weekly meetings from Feb. 7 to 23. The learnings from the P-G-D lectures were intended to serve as inputs for the societal engagement activity that the students would implement for the semester.

One of the groups, for instance, opted for citizen-centered advocacy, particularly on empowering young people in their community and emphasizing the importance of their right to vote and their participation in political processes.

With the guidance of their NSTP formator, the group organized a voter education seminar with the senior high school students of Brgy. Indahag, Cagayan de Oro City. They based their presentation on the P-G-D modules and used a localized version during their discussion.

XU-NSTP students conduct a voter education seminar with the senior high school students of Brgy. Indahag, Cagayan de Oro City. Photo courtesy of Dennise Edwina Saarenas-Gonzales

Gonzales noted that other groups also organized similar activities based on their learnings from the four sessions.

"I have a class campaigning for the SK elections. Others campaigned for budget transparency because that was their learning from you. 'Yung mga learnings nila from the sessions, 'yun 'yung inimplement nila sa mga communities [They imparted their learnings from the sessions to the communities],"Gonzales said.

The political education series was in line with INCITEGov's objective to deepen the understanding and practice of democracy and power, especially among the youth, grassroots communities and organized sectors that connect the practice of politics with good governance and development outcomes.