The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) and the Friedrich Naumann Foundation (FNF) Philippines renewed their partnership through the signing of a Partner Agreement on 09 June 2025, marking the beginning of new initiatives focused on the promotion and protection of human rights, justice, and dignity among youth.

This renewed collaboration underscores both institutions’ commitment to advancing the principles of human rights and democracy within the context of local community governance and youth leadership.

“For over three decades, the Commission has stood as the country’s national institution for the promotion and protection of human rights. We have witnessed the evolution of our democracy, the challenges that test our resolve, and the triumphs that remind us why this work matters. Through it all, we have learned that human rights education and capacity building at the grassroots level are fundamental to creating lasting change in our society,” CHR Chairperson Richard Palpal-latoc said during the ceremonial signing.

Under the agreement, CHR’s Caraga Regional Office will spearhead the third installment of the Tertiary Student Leaders Confab, which will bring together higher education institutions to deepen student leaders’ appreciation of human rights. It will also support the establishment of Centers for Human Rights Education within these institutions to serve as sustainable platforms for rights education. A Civil Society Conference will also be conducted to unite civil society organizations in identifying prevailing human rights and gender issues in the region, and in fostering stronger collaborative networks.

Meanwhile, the agreement enables CHR Region IV-A Office to conduct comprehensive human rights education programs targeted at youth leaders. These initiatives will provide mentorship on human rights, including gender and children’s rights. Specifically, barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan officials will be invited to participate in mentoring sessions and complete modules on human rights-based approaches to leadership.

CHR and FNF previously collaborated on various human rights initiatives, including activities promoting press freedom and capacity building on digital privacy in 2023 and 2024.

The Commission remains steadfast in its belief that initiatives promoting rights-based strategies across disciplines and sectors are vital to crafting holistic frameworks that uphold and protect the fundamental rights and freedoms of every Filipino.###