Educating for Change: Climate and Human Rights Trainings in the Philippines

Throughout May 2025, Dominicans for Justice and Peace visited the Philippines to deliver two workshops, in Iloilo and Davao, aiming at expanding the use of our handbook on climate change and human rights education in the Philippines. The training equipped teachers and school administrators with the skills to effectively integrate lessons and school policies addressing the impacts of climate change on human rights. 

38 different schools across Mindanao and Visayas regions participated in the workshops with a total of 75 participants. The diversity of participants from all across the Philippines provided unique perspectives and local context that enhanced the workshop’s effectiveness and the integration of our handbook. 

Iloilo training

Davao training

We are also honored and grateful to have been able to present the CCHRE Handbook to the Commission on Human Rights of the Philippines and the Department of Education. Our handbook is currently under review for official endorsement which would significantly expand it’s reach and impact. Finally, we had the chance of meeting with Keith and Rachel Harrison, our dear friends who are helping us expanding the reach of our Handbook. Keith, as President of the Rotary Club Makati, is supporting the Dominican sisters’ initiative in Baguio to train teachers in the region on the importance of climate change and human rights education.

Finally, we had the privilege of interviewing several partners who engaged with the workshop in different ways. Sr. Marissa Figueroa O.P., member of the Dominican Family for Justice and Peace and Care of Creation (DFJPCC), shared her experience of once being a trainee and becoming a trainer herself.

Ms. Aylin Barranco, a science teacher and school administrator involved in our project since its inception, explained how the teachings in the Handbook have changed her perspective in educating young children.

In both workshops, we had the chance to interview young local activists about their experience with climate change and their devotion to bringing awareness to and providing support for climate change response.