A dynamic co-creation workshop brought together Youth Leader Advocates, City and Municipal Civil Registrars to review and develop impactful information, education, and communication materials for the #IBelong campaign. The campaign focused on the protection space for Sama Bajaus and Unregistered children within the context of forced displacement due to armed conflict and decommissioned combatants and their families who are not stateless nor at risk of statelessness. It aims to ensure that all children in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) have legal identities and protection from harm.
Under this initiative,Component 3 on Advocacy is led by UNICEF through the BRAVE Project (Birth Registration Advocacy for Vulnerable Population to End Childhood Statelessness), in partnership with the Consortium of Bangsamoro Civil Society (CBCS) and the Community and Family Services International (CFSI), with the generous support from the Government of Japan.
The three-day workshop held at Ever-O Hotel, Zamboanga City, from May 29-31, 2025, fostered a collaborative environment where BRAVE Advocates from Cotabato City, Lanao del Sur, Tawi-Tawi, Basilan, and Sulu, representing diverse communities and backgrounds, actively participated in designing IEC materials tailored to the specific needs and context of the marginalized and vulnerable populations. Participants leveraged their lived experiences and deep understanding to create engaging and culturally based materials.
The workshop engaged in collaborative methods, including brainstorming sessions, focused group discussions, and design thinking exercises, to ensure materials were informative, accessible, and effective in reaching target audiences. Participants worked on developing various IEC materials, including Radio Scripts/Broadcasting, Infomercials, Testimonials, Digital Magazine (non-print), Posters and Flyer’s (print), and Social Media Contents.
The co-creation process ensured that the IEC materials accurately reflected the diverse cultural contexts of the BARMM and effectively addressed the unique challenges faced by different communities. The BRAVE Advocates’ intimate knowledge of their communities proved invaluable in shaping the messaging and ensuring its resonance with the target audiences.
“It develops a united path for all of us on where we want to see the Bangsamoro region in the future despite our diverse contexts and experiences. This experience deepened my commitment to designing and having inclusive and culturally aware advocacy efforts,” said Datu Nur Mohydin Abas, Representative from Responsible Young Leaders Organization (RYLO) of Cotabato City.
The resulting IEC materials will be crucial in driving the #IBelong Campaign forward, empowering communities to take ownership of the initiative and contribute to achieving its goals. The organizers expressed their gratitude to the BRAVE Advocates for their invaluable contributions and commitment to creating positive change for children in the BARMM.
“I am honored and grateful to be part of this advocacy. This activity enhanced my skills and learning. Together with the young active advocates, I felt the (hashtag) #IBelong. I can assure you of my support for this Birth Registration Advocacy and for the organizers of this workshop,” message of support from Ms. Josepine Lopez, Municipal Local Registrar, Parang, Maguindanao del Norte.
The newly developed IEC materials will be widely disseminated in different dialects across the region.
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