“Success without a successor is failure”, so the statement goes. This timeless principle underscores the importance of preparing, molding, and nurturing young talent and emerging leaders of today towards positions of leadership and influence for tomorrow. Building a generation of successors implies readiness for the future and readiness for change. It facilitates renewal and survival of groups, and prevents calcification and death of organizations. The flow and infusion of new leadership talent determine the viability and vitality of organizations.

Societies rest on this same readiness for the future. Communities, governments, for-profit corporations and non-profits rely on the qualities, character, and competencies of its leaders and followers. Breeding a generation of young and responsible citizens ― who through a process of transformation, develop a deep sense of love of God, love-of-country and understanding of multi-cultural diversity ― lays the groundwork for good governance, nation building, and regional development.

A country described by some as a fledgling democracy, the Philippines’ potential strength and promising asset lie in the current pool of young people. About thirty per cent of the country’s population is below 21 years of age --- this represents a fairly young citizenry. Their potentials, however, remain largely undeveloped and untrained owing to several factors --- the declining quality of education, foremost. Many countries in Asia share similar demographics; and where the youth of today will take on the baton of leadership in the years to come.

Developing this pool of fresh human capital towards responsible citizenship (national and global) and accountable leadership requires dedicated and purposeful investment. Investment comes in the form of opportunities for personal, interpersonal and functional growth; and leadership and core (i.e., values and attitudes) development.

The Ramon Aboitiz Foundation Inc., a social development non-profit organization based in the Philippines and founded in 1966, has been engaged in the field of citizenship and human development since its early beginnings. In its 40 years of existence, the foundation has ‘replicated’ itself and ‘produced’ institutions and individuals serving the needs of their respective constituencies and leading efforts in addressing social challenges. While the approach and strategies varied and evolved through the years, the foundation’s central focus remains targeted on transforming human capital towards national development and global citizenship.

Young Minds on Fast Forward-Young Minds on Fast Track- the youth citizenship academy - is only one of the many inter-related initiatives and efforts of the foundation.