SUBJECT COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT SOLIDARITY AND CITIZENSHIP initiative is generally a network of individuals and partner organizations dedicated to

improve the health and welfare of a community. It seeks to deal with and reduce the effect
QUARTER/WEEK Quarter 2Week 1 of social problems, in order to improve peoples' quality of life. They vary by community,
but may address issues such as homelessness, drug abuse, domestic violence, and many
TOPIC The Core Values of Community Action Initiatives others
NAME OF What are the core Values
STUDENT
According to Oxford Dictionary, core values are principles or beliefs that a person or
STRAND &
organization views as being of central importance. Another definition of core values is that
SECTION
these “are the fundamental beliefs of a person or organization. These are guiding principles
dictate the behavior and can help people understand the difference between right and
wrong.” Core values also help to
Learning Task #1 Using the Concept Map below, fill-in your ideas about the
determine if they are on the right path and fulfilling their goals by creating an unwavering
core values of Community Action Initiative. guide.
The Core Values and Principles of Community-action Initiatives
Based on the book of (Taguibao et. al 2016), There is no single approach to community
development and as such, initiatives and actions that are intended to address community
issues and problems must consider different tools and methods that are appropriate to the
context of the community. Essentially, community actions must give members and leaders a
“voice” in the community action.
In that sense, the following are the core values that must be taken into consideration in
making community action initiatives and plans.
1. Human rights
2. Social Equity
3. Gender equality
4. Participatory development

HUMAN RIGHTS

According to the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights
(OHCHR), it is defined as “the rights inherent to all human beings whatever our nationality,
place of residence, sex, national or ethnic origin, color, religion, language or any other
status.
It is also defined as the supreme, inherent, and inalienable rights to life, to dignity, and to
self-development. It is concerned with issues in both areas of civil and political rights and
economic, social and cultural rights founded on internationally accepted human rights
obligations.

In this sense, each person, even before coming into this world and getting out of its mother’s
womb, have already have rights, like right to live, which is a natural right. Upon birth and
growing up, citizenship and other rights and entitlements are already alongside to the child,
such as the right to a name and nationality, the right to health and nutrition, the right to
DISCUSSIONS
shelter, the right to education and the likes.
Every community has its own issues and problems that are needed to be resolved. There are Also, here are the human rights included in the United Nations declaration:
issues that are being a subject matter of the argumentation and discussions of the people. Natural Rights - The liberty and the pursuit of happiness.
There are also problems wherein conditions are undesired by people which they tend to seek Civil Rights - privacy, property, religion, expression, contract and movement
solutions. Political Rights - assembly, petition, suffrage, direct and indirect participation, self-
Due to the above stated realities in the community, actions and initiatives from its members determination, self-government and election to public office
are very relevant and needed. Being a member of the community, you should take part in the All of these and more are our rights, but let us not forget that our right ends, where the
said actions, to address the issues and problems, so that community life will be better for you rights of others begin. Also, in every right there is a corresponding obligation and
and other community members. responsibility

Thus, the process of collaborative work between the individuals and groups known as SOCIAL EQUITY
community engagement will take place in the community action initiatives. A community
 Learning Task #2 Draw a HAPPY FACE if the statement is correct and A SAD FACE if the
sentence is incorrect.
It is the fair access to opportunities, like education, livelihood and resources. It involves
participation in cultural and political practices in the community like the social justice, but _____1. There is a single approach to community development.
social equity emphasizes more on institutions and how people can access it, especially those _____2 Community actions must give members and leaders a “voice” in the community
who need it most. It also refers to standards set applied to improve the participation of a action.
certain classes or sectors of people in the community. _____3. Human Rights are acquired when a person reached the legal age.
An example of this is the marginalized group like Persons With Disability (PWDs) who do _____4. Human Rights are basic human entitlements.
have the same and equal rights to ordinary people but are also _____5. Social Equity is the fair access to opportunities in livelihood, education and
resources.
protected and given the privilege to achieve social equity. Other marginalized groups sectors _____6. Gender Equality is the equal rights, responsibilities, and opportunities of women and
or groups are women, children, youth, indigenous, LGBTQ+ community, and the likes who men and girls and boys.
are considered weak and in need of help. _____7. Sex is defined as the attitudes and feelings, and behaviors that a given culture
In tackling social equity, we cannot go away with social justice. As defined by former associated with the person’s biological being.
President Jose P. Laurel, it is the humanization of laws and the equalization of social and _____8. The liberty and the pursuit of happiness are civil rights
economic forces by the state so that justice may at least be approximated. It is anchored _____9. The objective of participatory development is to engage the marginalized group in
heavily on the idea that justice is based on basic human rights and each individual must have programs and activities that will benefit them.
an opportunity to exercise these rights. _____10. Empowerment of the marginalized sector will be the result of community initiatives
and programs.
Hence if we compare equity and equality, equity according to Encarta Dictionary is a general
condition characterized by justice, fairness, and impartiality, while equality is full equality Learning Task #3 Create a poster about your commitment in a community action in your
under the law. If we think about it, equality means giving all things to all individuals even community during this time of pandemic. It must show two or more Core Values of
others may not need it, while equity is giving the individuals what they need. Community action Initiative. Use any coloring materials available at home. Do this in a
separate paper.
GENDER EQUALITY

As defined by United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and Empowerment of women, it is
“the equal rights, responsibilities, and opportunities of women and men and girls and boys.” It
does not mean that both genders are the same but emphasize the equality of men and women,
with equal rights, values, treatment, and opportunities.

Clear examples of problems in gender equality are seen in the following situations:
-Men may often have better opportunities, freedom and social favor compared to women.
-Most of the positions, socially and politically were being occupied mostly by men.
-Men may have more weight in marriages or other direct or indirect relationships.
It is known that individuals in a community have unique roles that are being played, also,
aside from the said roles; they also have unique needs that must be answered. There are
gender differences between the roles played by women and men and their unique needs and
responses to a community issue.
Not including a certain gender group may mean a different set of priorities that would become
a possible condition of a non-holistic approach in the issue and problem solving.

PARTICIPATORY DEVELOPMENT
Its objective is to engage the marginalized group in programs and activities that will benefit
them. It must have advocacies to enable the marginalized groups to promote their rights. The
more participation from the community, the higher is the possible success and sustainability
of the programs and projects. As a result, it will empower a certain sector that will benefit
from the community initiatives thru participatory development

This kind of development aims to directly involve local communities in development

projects. It is in our knowledge that different members of the community have their own and
distinct needs, but if all or most of its members will unite and participate for a certain goal,
there will be less discord and misunderstanding, then most likely, the program and activities,
as well as the participation of the groups in the community, will succeed, and answering the
needs of a certain group or sector would be easier. SUBJECT COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT SOLIDARITY AND CITIZENSHIP
Hence, the entire above stated core values of community action initiatives must be our
guiding light in making and preparing our own community action initiative and project. QUARTER/WEEK Quarter 2 Week 2
 Empowering sectors like the poor, indigenous people and the likes need strong and effective
advocacies for protection and promotion of their interests. In this sense, according to
TOPIC Strategies of Empowerment and Advocacy of a Community Action Huberman
Initiative (2014), these are the strategies is community mobilization resulting to people
empowerment and advocacy:
NAME OF 1. Secure Strong Leadership-Engage strong leaders within the community members. The
STUDENT leader should possess these characteristics: the will to serve as the leader of the community
over a significant period of time; the capacity to provide both infrastructure and human
STRAND & SECTION resources; financial stability; the ability to gather and manage financial resources, and the
respect and support of the community.
Learning Task #1 In
your own ideas and words, define advocacy and people 2. Establish Formal Structure- a formal structure must be created for it can effectively lead
empowerment. . community change efforts. These may include specific committees, organizational charts,
ADVOCACY- rules like by laws, policy statements and formal letters of agreement for those who lead,
________________________________________________________ organize, and participate in the community effort.
_____________________________________________________________ 3. Engage the stakeholders- engage people, groups or institutions that may be affected by or
_______ are important to the achievement of the stated purpose of a project. They include government,
_____________________________________________________________ civil society, and the private sector at national, intermediate and local levels.
_______
PEOPLE EMPOWERMENT- 4. Conduct a Needs assessments-it's a way of asking group or community members what
they see as the most important needs of that group or community. The results of the survey
__________________________________________ then guide future action.
_____________________________________________________________
______ 5. Create a Strategic Plan- develop a strategic plan that lays out the goals and objectives.
_____________________________________________________________ The strategic plan should identify the social, structural, and individual changes that will lead
to people empowerment.
_______
These are some of the many strategies of empowerment and advocacy of a community
action initiative.
DISCUSSION

Defining Empowerment and Advocacy Learning Task #2 Answer the questions below that pertains on the importance of analyzing
According to Oxford Dictionary, empowerment is the act of giving somebody more control and understanding strategies of empowerment and advocacy. Write your answer inside
over their own life or the situation they are in or giving somebody the power or authority to the box
do something. 1. In your own perception which is more important, empowerment or advocacy? Defend your
On the other hand advocacy is the support, advice and help given to people, often with special answer. (10 points)
needs or aims, who are unable to speak for themselves 2. Which among the strategies discussed earlier of empowerment and advocacy is the most
Thus, if it will be applied to community engagement, solidarity and citizenship, these two are important? Why?
both modes of community engagement. It highlights the collaborative nature of various
groups and people working together to attain a specific goal that may promote betterment of
the quality of life and social change.
To elaborate, according to Taguibao (2016), in connection with community action, people
empowerment is the process that increases community autonomy and individual self-
determination. These processes are designed to help gain control of their own lives.
As stated by Ban Ki Moon, Former Secretary General of the United Nations, this aims to
ensure that people have the right set of skills and opportunities they need to live better and
dignified lives.
Now, let us move to advocacy. It refers to enabling marginalized groups and promoting their
individual rights. It is a process of supporting people and advancing or promoting the rights
these individuals have.
Advocacy, in connection with community engagement, also means attaining people
empowerment. It can be led by people who are not part of the community or
by leaders within the community. The most effective advocacy and people empowerment is
the combination by both.
 Learning Task #3 Complete the table below about the strategies of empowerment and
advocacy. Explain each with your own idea.