An Analysis of Conflict Experiences of Negros Youth Empowerment Advocates

This study aimed to analyze the conflict experiences of the Negros Youth-Empowerment Advocates in Negros Occidental. The analysis of the conflict experiences is interrogated and probed in the following areas: (a) the socio-demographic profile of Negros Youth Empowerment Advocates; (b) differential concepts of conflict sensitivity; and (c) the conflict experiences of Negros Youth Empowerment Advocates in the areas of Culture, Gender, and Peace. This study employed the Descriptive research design where the research utilized quantitative and qualitative data. This research used survey questionnaires and in-depth interviews to establish a thorough discussion in this study. The study found out that the profiles of the Negros Youth Empowerment Advocates are still young, but have their organic knowledge, and dwell on the social norms of the society where they learn everything from acculturation. With this profile, they are much more vulnerable to encountering culture-based conflict that concerns the person’s individuality of culture. The Negros Youth Empowerment Advocates also experienced gender-based conflict, which concerns gender exclusion, especially in the LGBT sector. They also experienced peace-based conflict, which is concerned with the equal opportunities of all faith sects in the community, where the acknowledgment of faith diversity is not a priority. Last, higher or lower profile standing does not connote a higher or lower concept of conflict sensitivity. This study proposed a program that introduces a conflict-sensitivity framework and adopts conflict-sensitive approaches for all advocacies for all youth empowerment advocates that should be supported by the Provincial Youth Development Council.