Joanne Valdez is a community leader and educator, serving her third term as a council member for Candon City, Ilocos Sur, Philippines.
Joanne serves on committees focusing on Gender and Development, Women and Family, and Education. Her dedication has earned her prestigious awards such as the Outstanding Young Men of the Philippines, the Young Leaders Award, and the Award for Excellence in Advocacy Work presented by the National Movement of Young Legislators.
She has also been a recipient of several prestigious fellowships like the Young Southeast Asia Leaders Initiative, launched by the US government to empower young leaders in Southeast Asia, and the Vital Voices Engage Program for outstanding women in politics.
Joanne is also the founder of Candon Youth for Empowerment Movement, an organization encouraging volunteers to drive positive change. Her advocacy efforts are focused on gender and development, youth and women’s empowerment, LGBTQ+ rights, HIV/AIDS prevention, community libraries, youth in farming, and more.
She is also involved in video production for NGOs and teaches at St. Paul University Quezon City College of Mass Communication. She is also a dedicated mother, wife, daughter, and friend. Throughout her career, her insight and experiences have made her a popular speaker at conferences.
On Youth Political Participation
“The aggressive and male-dominated atmosphere in politics deters young women who aspire to run for public office. Developing leadership skills is crucial to boost their confidence, competence, and candidacy viability. Let us take part in persistently promoting and supporting young women’s involvement in public office.”
The WYDE Civic Engagement Network of Young Decision-Makers unites young leaders under 36 years old who are active in politics and decision-making roles, aiming to enhance youth political participation. Members, hailing from Africa, Asia, Latin America, and the Caribbean, will collaborate with peers and Club de Madrid Members to shape global agendas through Policy Labs, fostering informed collective action.
The WYDE Civic Engagement project is a component of the Women and Youth in Democracy Initiative (WYDE) by the European Commission. The project aims to empower youth voices, foster international cooperation, and address the gaps in evidence on youth political engagement. More info on the project can be found on EPD’s website.
