The senior Development Communication students of Xavier University - Ateneo de Cagayan, in partnership with The SML Project, will conduct its 4th installment of ECHO: Mindanao Young Communicators' Congress on February 22 at Cinema 1, Centrio Ayala Mall, Cagayan de Oro City.

Following last year's focus of understanding the role of media in rebuilding a peaceful Mindanao, this year's ECHO emphasizes the power of digitalizing advocacies, allowing a person to potentially become #INFOential.

On its fourth installment, this year’s congress aims to not only gather undergraduate communication students in Mindanao, but also senior and junior high school students to take part in discussions to be led by invited speakers who have made significant impacts with their socially driven projects both online and offline.

“The congress aims to encourage the audience to start advocating for the social causes they believe in—may it be through big or small actions,” said ECHO 2019 project head Bianca Daamo.

Daamo also shared her hopes of seeing more #INFOential youth advocates who would actively participate in positively using social media.

Participants of the said congress will expect three main topics by speakers from all over the country.

Marlon Nombrado of Out of the Box (OOTB) Media Literacy Initiative will discuss “Creating Online Content for Social Good.”

Meanwhile, online storytelling platform Qapwa’s project manager Angeli Monique Siladan will be talking about “Influencing Positivity Online through Advocacy Campaign.”

Lastly, Mindanao Pride co-founder Hamilcar Chanjueco Jr will speak about “How to Advocate Online.” A panel discussion with the audience will ensue after the speakers’ talks.

The congress will be one of the major activities for the annual DevCom week celebration on February 18-23.∎