A new grant entitled "Cultural Citizens and North-South Dialogue: Building the National Identity and Civic Participation in the Philippines" was awarded to CSEAS members Dr. Sue Russell (Anthropology) and Dr. Lina Davide-Ong (International Training Office) by the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA), U.S. Department of State.  The grant begins September 1, 2007 and ends December 2009.

This project builds on the PIs' ongoing partnership with the International Visitors Program Philippines Alumni Foundation and previous ECA-funded projects for the Philippines.  This project involves a national competition for leaders of youth organizations or others who are in a position to influence the next generation from various sectors of society (e.g., media, law, academe, religion, business or leaders of other governmental or non-governmental organizations) from all over the Philippines, with a focus on recruiting 10 individuals from the (southern) Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao, 10 individuals form the (northern) Cordillera Administrative Region, and 10 individuals from the central Visayan and central or southern Luzon region.  Emphasis is given to attracting a diversity of indigenous, Muslim, and Christian participants from throughout the country.  Thematic emphases are on the rights and responsibilities of citizens in a democratic, plural society. 

The major goals of the project are to a) promote mutual understanding and partnerships between key professional groups in the U.S. and counterparts in the Philippines through exchanges and dialogue; b) encourage and strengthen understanding of democratic values and active citizenship; c) develop an expanded understanding of American governmental and legal structures, as well as diversity in American society; d) strengthen the capacity and skills of participants in methods of citizen participation and the benefits of participatory approaches.  A web site and announcements (as well as more details) are forthcoming.  Funding by the U.S. Department of State - $368,370.

A federally funded National Resource Center since 1997, the Center for Southeast Asian Studies provides leadership, focus, and coordination for Southeast Asian studies at the university.  cseas@niu.edu