Environment, health, gender inclusivity focus of 10th National PHE Conference

The 10th National Population, Health, and Environment (PHE) Conference placed the spotlight on equity, sustainability, and youth leadership as advocates from across the Philippines and partner countries gathered to discuss integrated solutions linking environmental protection, health, and development.

With the theme “Equity and Sustainability in Focus: 20 Years of Transformative PHE,” the biennial event convened by the PHE Network unveiled the stories and experiences of communities navigating the interconnected pathways toward a sustainable and healthy environment.

The PHE Network—established in 2002 and composed of organizations and advocates working for empowered, resilient, and healthy communities—has been at the forefront of promoting integrated approaches to population, health, and environmental challenges.

Now in its 23rd year, the conference assembled a diverse group of PHE practitioners, policymakers, academics, and development partners to explore cross-sectoral and interdisciplinary strategies for sustainable development. Expert-led plenary and parallel sessions focused on climate resilience, equity and environmental sustainability, gender inclusivity, youth empowerment, and organizational development.

“Now more than ever, the dynamics of population, health, and environment are crucial in fostering and 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), the lead convener of the conference.

Castro said this year’s milestone conference will highlight two decades of lessons and best practices from the PHE community in the Philippines, showcasing scalable models for addressing interconnected social and environmental challenges.

“Through the best practices and initiatives, the PHE Network will also look at fresh perspectives on how persistent and new challenges to current plans and ongoing efforts can be addressed,” she added.

A special emphasis this year was placed on youth leadership, following the PHE Youth Pre-Conference held on October 8 at the Heritage Hotel in Manila. The pre-conference brought together Filipino youth leaders and counterparts from Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, and Zambia under the theme “Youth in Intersections and Action: Advancing the PHE Movement for Global Environmental and SRHR Justice.”

The youth event served as a dynamic platform for advocates working on climate action, biodiversity conservation, community resilience, and sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR). 

It also introduced the first-ever Youth PHE Pledge, recognizing the vital role of young people in shaping the movement’s future.

Participants formed youth-led thematic clusters that will develop small grant proposals to sustain local PHE advocacy, with African youth leaders serving as mentors under a “big sibling” model.

“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,” Dr. Castro said.

By amplifying youth voices and intergenerational collaboration, the 10th PHE Conference reaffirmed the network’s commitment to cultivating a new generation of leaders driving integrated, inclusive, and sustainable development.—Sherylin Untalan/LDF, GMA Integrated News