CODE-NGO celebrated its 30 years of service to its members and partners in social development work at the national and global levels. With the theme, “Networking, Empowering, and Transforming as Effective Response to Social Change”, CODE-NGO conducted its half-year series of learning and networking that aimed to pilot, upscale, and innovate ways to empower its member organizations and partner communities. From May to October 2021, CODE-NGO provided an avenue to learn from the experiences and perspectives of international and national civil society organization (CSO) alliances, business groups, the academe, and young leaders on transformative work to respond to the challenges of achieving effective social change through the following activities: learning sessions, public forum, and e-tour/peer learning sessions featuring good practices of members, and partner communities in Luzon and Visayas regions. 

E-TOUR SESSIONS

Learning from other CSOs by traveling to their provinces or communities is an impressionable, reiterative, and encouraging teaching-learning method for people of all ages. CODE-NGO offered a series of online peer learning exchanges through the e-Tour Sessions. The goal of the e-Tour Sessions is to enhance CSO leaders’ understanding of networking and empowerment as it is applied to community building and participatory local governance in different forms. 

Dumaguete City People’s Development Council: Influencing Government, Charting our future 

Patawid: PASSING on the GIFTS for Sustainable Development 

Palig-on sa Baybayon: A Community-based Approach Coastal Resource Management 

E-TALK SESSIONS

The e-Talk sessions are organized by 3 members of CODE-NGO: The Partnership for Philippine Support Service Agencies or PHILSSA, the Central Visayas Network of NGOs or CENVISNET, and the Philippine Business for Social Progress or PBSP. Read the synthesis here.

Protecting Civic Space and Localizing Leadership in the Time of the Pandemic

#InfoAct: Information and Empowerment of Citizens for Action and Wellness

PBSP and its Collective Action as Response to COVID-19

CALL TO ACTION: Network. Empower. Transform. Our Response to Effective Social Change

Retired Senior Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the Republic of the Philippines Antonio T. Carpio delivered the keynote address during SocDev 2021. Time and again, CSOs reclaimed their collective dignity, and held their heads high amidst the felling of our democratic institutions.

Lessons and Perspectives from Transformative Work

The members drew lessons from the transformative work and perspectives of an international alliance, the academe, and the youth, and identified action points to strengthen and expand how we engage with our stakeholders to achieve effective social change. There is a challenge to work on what binds CSOs, not on what divides them– it is crucial to find shared humanity, collective purpose, and aspirations in order to do their mission.

Filipino singer-songwriter Noel Cabangon serenaded the attendees with songs about love and resilience with his greatest hit songs, “Kanlungan“, “Kahit Maputi Na Ang Buhok Ko”, “Tuloy Pa Rin”, “Simpleng Pilipino”, and “Uunahin Ko Kayo”.

Looking back at the past three decades, Chairperson of CODE-NGO, Aurora Chavez reaffirmed that, “Despite the different challenges and threats, the network is steadfast for justice, peace, and compassion. The role of CSOs is important in bringing our country towards sustainable development.” We certainly draw inspiration also from our leaders’ stories and aspirations for CODE-NGO.

“Let us bond through our collective purpose, determination, and strength. Knowing fully well the opportunities that are in front of us, we can take heart unwaveringly, speak up solidly, and face obstacles unitedly,” Chairperson Chavez emboldened the coalition as it continues to face challenges brought about by the pandemic since 2020. 

The 30th Anniversary Celebration reminded the member networks and partners of CODE-NGO to continue their commitment to promoting justice, peace, and compassion in their line of work. 

Remembering Leaders of CODE-NGO

CODE-NGO paid tribute to its former leaders who have passed on in recent years. With unwavering tenacity, they helped shape CODE-NGO into the coalition that it is today.

Vision for the Next 5 Years

This reflective piece is drawn from the mid-term assessment of our Strategic Plan 2018 to 2022, and inspired by the well-wishes of our founders on the occasion of CODE-NGO’s 30th anniversary.