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Catherine Kamping


Title and Organization:		Global Youth Action Network, Regional Coordinator, Asia and Pacific
Gender and Age:		Female, 28
Location:		Cainta, Rizal, Manila
Country of Residence:		Philippines
Country of Birth:		Philippines
Nationalities:		Filipino
Languages:		English , Tagalog



Website:		http://www.youthlink.org
Instant Messaging:		To protect the privacy of members, Instant Messaging information is only available to logged in members of TakingITGlobal. Login or Sign up now, it's free!

About Me

Catherine B. Kamping, 26 years old young lady from the Philippines, currently the Regional Coordinator of the Global Youth Action Network (GYAN), a growing collaboration of youth leaders and organizations committed to unify efforts to have a sustainable world.

Even in the early stage of her life as a child was already involved in different community works related to children and the youth. And as she continues the journey, everyday of her life brings new experiences and learning.

At the age of 21 she got her bachelors degree in Business Administration Major in Marketing at the Polytechnic University of the Philippines. In 2004 she took he Masters Degree in Entrepreneurship and Social Entrepreneurial Development at the Asian Institute of Management.

It was during her college days that she started to engaged and took a very active role on youth involvement to sustainable development, through her college organization: Students’ Actions Vital to the Environment and Mother Earth Movement (SAVE ME Movement)”. She was given a chance to better understand the importance of the environment and the important role the young people play in relation to sustainable development and survival of the human race. SAVE ME Movement help formed Catherine’s principles, ethics, values and responses to sustainable development. Her capacity as a leader was transformed and shaped through hands on experiences from local and national initiatives. She was SAVE ME Movements External Affairs officer in 2001 – 2005.

1999, Youth for Sustainable Development Assembly-Pilipinas, Inc (YSDA) was introduced to her through SAVE ME Movement (an active member of YSDA). She became a youth volunteer in the different projects the network organized. During the 2001 National Congress of YSDA, Catherine was elected as the Secretary General. New challenges, opportunities and responsibilities were laid upon her shoulder.

Being a youth leader from a developing country of the south was never easy. Recognition, funding limitation and limited chance for involvement and lack of experience were some of the barriers she has experienced. But those problems did not stop her on her advocacy as a youth leader, it has inspired her more to continue the struggle of the youth as young generation of leaders.

2002 was a major point in her life, serious decisions needs to be taken. A new door opens for her during the process of the UN World Summit on Sustainable Development (WSSD) she became a Philippine Youth Representative to the WSSD PrepCom 4 and was selected by the International Youth for WSSD to be the representative for South East Asia. During the Johannesburg summit she was the Philippine Youth Ambassador to champion youth involvement to sustainable development and was selected again by the International Youth Caucus as the representative of Asia and the Pacific.

Also one of the most challenging role bestowed on her was the creation of the Youth Employment Summit (YES) Country Network in the Philippines, it was indeed a struggle to organize such youth led initiative, but with the motivation of the YES2002 and of my organization it was made possible. She became the first Chair of the Philippine Youth Employment Network, a youth-led multi-stakeholder network of national and international institution working together to alleviate poverty among young people.

To participate with the UN WSSD was a very good opportunity for learning, exposure and building partnership among other youth groups. This opportunity as well provides Catherine the unique experience and a privilege to talk in front of world leaders, President, Prime Ministers, and with the world watching to deliver the youth final statement during the closing ceremony of the WSSD. Delivering a statement well applauded and appreciated by the sustainable development advocates brings motivation and encouragement not just to me but to my fellow youth leaders as well.

After the WSSD summit, Catherine went straight to Egypt for the YES2002, her perseverance led not only to the establishment of the of the country network but also a prepared delegation of 10 youth leaders and one Ministerial Delegate to the YES conference. The PYEN participated very actively in the conference. The Philippine participation to the YES2002 brings new color and value to the journey of her life.

In 2003, Catherine Kamping was selected by the members of the United Nations Commission on Sustainable Development to be the Global Coordinator and Facilitator. As a coordinator the main responsibility includes communicating and working closely with the UNCSD Secretariat and other UN Agencies, International Institutions and the youth organizations to further strengthen the partnership and engagement of both ends. This further enhanced her capacities and capabilities in the field of sustainable development and the youth

In 2005, together with different international youth leaders and members of the CSD youth caucus, the Youth and MDG Report was launched during CSD 13. This book report is in response with the Dialogue of Catherine as Chair of the CSD Youth Caucus with Mr. Jeffrey Sachs. Also Catherine was one of the Youth Advisory Committee member of the Equip 3 Youth Trust, a youth program managed by the Education Development Center and was funded by the USAID.

Right now, Catherine continues her work in the youth sector as a youth leader, as a servant leader, as a mentor to other young people and also an apprentice to seek more knowledge. Her life is yet to bloom, her leadership is yet to grow, and her experiences and learning is yet to deliver more insights.

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