Youth-mappers

During Open Data Day 2024, we, the UP Resilience Institute YouthMappers (UPRIYM) started collaborating with Tiklop Society of the Philippines (TSP) to engage biking communities in open mapping initiatives for Sustainable Development Goals (SDG).

Dr. Brent McCusker and I hosted a 2-leg Participatory GIS workshop for the local chapters in the Philippines based in Metro Manila -- FEU Alabang, FEU Tech, Adamson University, and UPRI YouthMappers.

I had the incredible opportunity to collaborate with four universities in Leyte on a special YouthMappers UpSkilling Series workshop. Each leg of this series was like a unique chapter in a mapmaking story, with a common goal: to help build more mappers in the community.

In case you missed the memo, I’m thrilled to introduce a game-changer as part of my role as a Regional Ambassador for Technical Support – the YouthMappers Asia UpSkilling Series!

Embarking on my first State of the Map US (SoTMUS) experience in Richmond, Virginia, was a dream come true. This year, with financial support through a travel grant, I eagerly delved into the realm of open mapping communities from the US.

The YouthMappers network competitively selected university students from chapters worldwide to participate in the 2023 YouthMappers Leadership Fellows Summit held in Montego Bay, Jamaica. Undergraduate and graduate students from a recognized YouthMappers chapter were chosen based on their demonstrated leadership potential, technical abilities in open mapping, and strong communication skills.

On February 18, 2023, I organized an online get-together for all local chapters of YouthMappers in the Philippines. The Filipino YouthMappers community has grown over the years, so gathering them together helps nurture our community and creates a sense of belonging in the network. Also, part of this event is to collectively create a social impact to the communities in Turkey and Syria affected by the massive earthquake last February 6, 2023.

As an OSM volunteer, I know the significance of assisting communities during these critical times. Through YouthMappers, we supported the disaster activation efforts of Yer Cizenler by conducting regular mapathons.

I am highlighting the significant contributions of the local chapters of YouthMappers in the OSM community in 2022 and a short reflection about the impacts of YouthMappers in a local context.

Senior high school students from the Philippine Science High School - Bicol Region Campus, Carlo Mañago and Rhoanne Miranda, pursue community mapping using OpenStreetMap (OSM) as part of their Science Immersion program.

My first year as a Regional Ambassador for YouthMappers has concluded!

The need for serving the communities through providing them with accurate and updated data still matters, but the joy of working with the people we meet help sustain us (volunteers) in continuing our volunteer efforts.