The University of the Philippines Open University (UPOU) and the Philippine Misereor Partnership, Inc. (PMPI) solidified their collaborative ties through the signing of a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) on 15 October 2024. UPOU Chancellor, Dr. Melinda dela Peña Bandalaria, UPOU Faculty of Management and Development Studies (FMDS) Dean, Dr. Joane Serrano, and PMPI National Coordinator, Ms. Yolanda Esguerra, signed the document that officially seals the partnership that will target the integration of rights of nature into UPOU’s academic platforms, production of learning resources, and embedding rights of nature into UPOU’s public service projects.
The partnership will specifically focus on (1) the integration of rights of nature into UPOU’s academic platforms such as Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs) and integration into UPOU’s curriculum; (2) the production of learning resources to benefit both parties and the wider community; and (3) embedding the Rights of Nature into UPOU’s public service projects, including community-based permaculture gardens and the UPOU-FMDS Earth Ambassadors.
Chancellor Bandalaria welcomed the new partners and emphasized the importance of partnerships for UPOU since its inception. Partnerships enable UPOU to reach more people and do more. MOOCs, as part of the utilization of the partnership, are a powerful platform that can help us achieve this goal. She also emphasized that by aligning the activities under this partnership, she hopes to make a lasting contribution to sustainability and education. Chancellor Bandalaria congratulated our PMPI and FMDS for making this collaboration possible.
Ms. Esguerra also expressed their gratitude to UPOU for accommodating them through this partnership. This PMPI’s first formal collaboration with an academic institution and they saw this to be crucial to deliver their advocacy on the rights of nature and achieve a more sustainable planet. They acknowledged the importance of academic institutions for paradigm shifts in this advocacy and how UP’s prestigious reputation makes it their ideal partner.
The partnership between UPOU and PMPI marks a significant step towards promoting environmental sustainability and education. This collaboration leverages the strengths of both institutions, with UPOU’s expertise in open and distance learning and PMPI’s advocacy for environmental rights. Together, they can reach a wider audience and contribute to the development of sustainable practices and policies.
Written by Zyrene Edrei Villanueva ♦ Edited by Dr. Myra C. Almodiel and Anna Cañas-Llamas ♦ Photo by Anna Mhari Duria
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