Building Democracy Together: A Reflection and Call to the Youth

ALL FORUM – I’m an Indigenous youth from Mindanao, and I’ve come to see how easily peace and democracy can be shaken. For us, peace is not only about the absence of war, it is about our land, our culture, and our duty to care for the rivers, forests, and the life that surrounds us. When these are taken, peace disappears. And too often, we’re not even asked when decisions are made. Some of our leaders face threats just for standing up.

The best part of joining the AYA/ATF 2025 in Indonesia was sitting with other young people from different countries in Asia. We told our stories. We listened to each other; some spoke about struggles, others shared hopes. In those simple moments, I saw how our faith, our fight for justice, and our care for creation are never separate. They all go together. It felt like looking in a mirror. Different country, but the same struggles. I remembered my own community while watching people hold on to dignity despite poverty and neglect. It struck me again that peace without justice is fragile, and democracy loses its meaning when ordinary voices are not heard. The plenary talks made me realize more deeply how power and greed affect the everyday lives of people like us. And in the workshops, it felt like real conversations. We asked questions, we wrestled with ideas, and sometimes even disagreed. But in the end, we tried to imagine new paths, new possibilities, grounded in solidarity.

As an Indigenous youth, I often find it difficult to raise concerns. Too many times, our words are set aside, and I have felt it myself being told to stay quiet, as though my voice carried no value. But our stories are true, and truth has weight. We may not hold high offices, we may not hold positions of influence or possess material wealth, yet our voices remain , and they carry weight.  The Catholic Church and other faith groups have stood with us. They defend dignity, speak against injustice, and walk with the Indigenous. That gives me hope. But honestly, it’s not just their fight. It’s also ours. Especially us, the youth. These days, I notice how fast misinformation travels online, often reaching people before the truth has a chance to be known. That’s why we need to push back. Stand with those who are left behind. Use whatever space we have in our schools, our communities, even social media to speak out. Silence won’t save us. Silence only helps injustice grow stronger. Peace and democracy won’t just drop into our laps. We need to fight for them. Work for them. Build them ourselves. Not with fear, but with courage. Not with despair, but with hope. And always with solidarity, and with care for creation.  To my fellow youth, silence is complicity. Our voices give us strength. We must continue to use them, while we still have the chance to be heard. *