Justine Raphael Luis Balane was voted as Vice President for Asia-Pacific during the 33rd International Union of Socialist Youth (IUSY) World Congress last February in Montenegro.
Balane, a Mass Communication graduate of the University of the Philippines Cebu, was elected over two other candidates from Nepal and New Zealand.
Being elected to the said position, Balane will take charge on coordinating with youth social movements, parties and groups in the region.
In an interview with Cebu Daily News, Balane said that his accomplishment entails great responsibility, especially that the organization facilitates several campaigns on human rights and democracy in the Asia-Pacific region.
“There are a lot of countries in Asia-Pacific where the political climate of limited democratic spaces and culture of human rights violations make it unsafe for the youth to participate. We plan to change that with campaign trainings and expanding the membership of IUSY in the region,” Balane said.
The Philippines became a member of IUSY through Akbayan Youth.