Information and news about the USAID Growth with Equity in Mindanao III (GEM 3) Project

Ambassador Harry K. Thomas Jr. (at podium) spoke at the completion ceremony for the Congressional Internship Program for Young Mindanao Leaders (CIPYML), which was held at the Philippines’ House of Representatives on December 7, 2010. CIPYML, a partnership between the U.S. and Philippine governments, is managed by USAID’s Growth with Equity in Mindanao (GEM) Program and implemented in partnership with the House of Representatives.  Among the members of Congress present at the event are (r-l front row, next to podium): Rep. Nur-ana Sahidulla (2nd District, Sulu); Rep. Bai Sandra Sema (1st District, Maguindanao); and Rep. Tupay Loong (1st District, Sulu). To date, CIPYML has provided 217 promising young people from Mindanao’s conflict-affected communities with the opportunity to gain first-hand experience in public policy formulation, and to enhance their commitment to democratic values and institutions, through a four-month internship.