Nakem Youth Organized

By Fil-Am Observer Staff

Fil-Am Observer February 2010 Issue

Page 10

IN the attempt to engage the young people of the Ilokano descent in Hawaii in advocay issues related to social justice and equity, to culture and language advocacy, and to education to democracy and diversity, the Nakem Conferences put up a youth arm, the Nakem Youth.

The Nakem Youth is comprehensive program for the young people ages 15 onwards.

As an advocay group, Nakem Youth will take as point of reference the issues of diversity and cultural pluraism in Hawaii, issues that remain relevant not only in the state but also elsewhere.

Nakem Youth has since lined up a variety of full programs including an upcoming writers workshop that will tackle the experiences of the young Ilokanos. A book, "Kabanbannuagan: An Anthology of writings in Hawaii," will gather the works of the Nakem Youth writers and will be released later this year.

Aside from the writers workshop, the group has lined up other programs related to community language promotion and preservation, linkage and solidarity, comprehensive education, and creative arts and social media.

Nakem Youth is run by Jeffrey Acido, deputy director; Rachelle Aurellano, director of community language; Walter Luares, director for solidarity and community linkage; Calvin Rilveria, director for social media; and Steve Badua, director for finance.

Aurelio Agcaoili serves as executive director of the group.

In partnership with Nakem Conferences and TMI Global, Nakem Youth is c0-sponsoring  the staging of "In the Name of the Fathe/Iti Nagan ti Ama," with the number of officers acting in the play. A full length version of the play will be staged to raise funds for the organization.
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