Youth Entrepreneurship Boot Camp: Challenging the youth to create their own opportunity

Last March 22 to 24, the first-ever Youth Entrepreneurship Boot Camp (YEBC) was held in UA&P. The event pushed one agenda: instead of moving to other countries to look for opportunities, the young people of today should start their own businesses and create the opportunity. It was well attended by the business and management students from various colleges and universities, and featured an impressive list of influential speakers.

 

 

The Center for Strategic Reforms of the Philippines, the organizer of the said event, and Andrew Anonuevo, the Director for Advocacy and Strategic Partnership, were more than happy to answer our questions about the three-day event.

What is the Youth Entrepreneurship Boot Camp and what is its main purpose? How long has it been running?

The Youth Entrepreneurship Boot Camp is a three-day event that aims to promote to the youth entrepreneurship as a lucrative career other than employment here or abroad. The event features notable people to encourage the youth to be entrepreneurs in their own country.

Through the boot camp and mentorship component, we have demonstrated to the students that they can create and sustain opportunities in their own country.

The YEBC event was its official launch.

There was an awarding during the event. Can you tell us more about this?

The Integrity Leadership Award (ILA) is a prestigious recognition for excellence in business, finance, and accounting. The ILA for graduating students has been awarded for the last two years. We launched during the event the ILA for young entrepreneurs.

Awardees, who were nominated by their respective organizations or schools, have exemplified high moral standards, servant leadership, honesty and excellence, and have upheld integrity in all their commitments and responsibilities. They have been invited for a panel interview by the Philippine tax whiz Mon Abrea, Dingdong Dantes of YesPinoy, and other distinguished panelists.

How did you select the speakers? Who attended the talk?

Almost 300 students in the business management and entrepreneurial courses coming from different schools and universities attended the event. Almost a hundred VIP guests who represented YEBC’s partner organizations and sponsors were also present.

Speakers such as Senator Bam Aquino, Kenneth Cobonpue, Dingdong Dantes, and Spark Project’s Patch Dulay were invited because we believe that, with their accomplishments as young entrepreneurs, they can deliver an inspiring message to the future young entrepreneurs.
Why was UA&P chosen as the venue/partner?

The University of Asia and the Pacific has been a good partner of CSR Philippines. Apart from that, UA&P is a highly reputable institution of higher learning here in the Philippines, in the region, and across the globe. It has state-of-the-art facilities that meet global standards for huge events such as the YEBC.

What are your plans for the next boot camp?

We are planning to tie up with the existing projects of BPI Foundation and the Association of Filipino Franchisers, Inc., among others, that may be a great opportunity to achieve the objectives of the program. To allow for longer preparations, we intend to hold it quarterly, depending on the availability of budget: in March, Metro Manila; June, NCR; September, Visayas; December, Mindanao.

What is your message for the youth who aspire to be entrepreneurs?

I believe that there are many opportunities for young professionals if they consider starting their own business because they will not just be addressing the issue of the lack of opportunities here in our country but will also be providing employment for people in their respective communities.

The effectiveness or success of YEBC can be measured by the number of attendees who have established their business after the event.