Population, health, environment conference takes up equity, sustainability in development solutions

The 10th national Population Health and Environment (PHE) conference revealed the voices, stories and experiences of communities in the Philippines that are navigating interconnected pathways to a sustainable and healthy environment.

Convened by the PHE network at a hotel in Pasay City, the conference – with the theme, “Equity and Sustainability in Focus: 20 Years of Transformative PHE” – gathered more than 100 advocates, practitioners, experts and policymakers who discussed approaches of implementing cohesive PHE initiatives.

The PHE Network, established in 2002, is composed of thought leaders and advocates from a wide range of organizations and individuals who aim for an equitable society of empowered, resilient and healthy communities. 

In 2005, the organization and movement rebranded itself as the PHE Network, a year after its first national conference in 2004.

Now on its 23^rd year, the PHE Network holds the biennial conference at a time of urgency to tackle the interdisciplinary and cross-sectoral approaches to the interlinked PHE challenges.

The event featured expert-led plenary and parallel sessions that equipped participants with practical knowledge and skills through integrated approaches in climate resilience, equity and environmental sustainability, human resource and organizational development, gender inclusivity and youth empowerment.

“Now more than ever, the dynamics of population, health and environment are crucial in enabling actions among government, non-government and civil society organizations to empower and build resilient communities,” said Dr. Joan Castro, executive vice president of PATH Foundation Philippines, Inc. (PFPI), lead convener of the conference.

This year’s conference placed a special spotlight on the youth sector, as the network integrates young people’s perspectives and energies into the PHE discourse. “PHE is our shared legacy of equity, health and sustainability—and the youth are its torchbearers, leading the way toward resilient communities and a thriving planet,” said Castro.

Prior to the main conference, youth leaders from across the Philippines and their counterparts from Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda and Zambia gathered in a dynamic exchange and action space for young advocates working on climate action, biodiversity conservation, sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) and community resilience. 

This followed a three-day training for 20 Filipino youth leaders conducted by PFPI, in partnership with YGOAL, Inc., and the support of the Foundation for the Philippine Environment (FPE). 

The event’s milestone featured for the first time a Youth PHE Pledge—an initiative that underscores the indispensable role of the youth in shaping the PHE discourse and advancing the movement in keeping with the times.

It featured a panel discussion that explored four key thematic areas: youth participation and leadership in PHE, biodiversity conservation, humanitarian and disaster resilience, gender, equality, diversity, and social inclusion (GEDSI).

Young participants shared lessons and experiences on how the PHE approach can advance environmental and SRHR justice, strengthen intergenerational collaboration and foster community-driven innovation.

The event’s key outputs also included the formation of youth-led thematic clusters in the Philippines that will develop small grant proposals to sustain PHE advocacy and action. The PHE youth leaders in Africa will serve as their “big sibling” mentors.

By placing a spotlight on youth leadership, the conference reaffirmed the network’s commitment to nurturing a new generation of changemakers who will carry the PHE movement forward.