Embracing our Shared Humanity: A Lasallian Framework for Livelihood Equity and Culture-Based Education for Sustainable Futures

About

In the remote and mountainous landscapes of Mindoro, Philippines, the Hanunuo Mangyans and other Indigenous communities have long endured geographic isolation, limited access to basic services, and persistent inequities shaped by difficult terrain and systemic exclusion.

De La Salle Lipa (DLSL), through its Community Involvement Office (CIO), has embraced a transformative, partnership-driven response, rooted in the Lasallian mission of teaching minds, touching hearts, and transforming lives. Moving beyond traditional outreach, DLSL co-established HAMALICON (Hanunuo Mangyan Livelihood & Consumers Cooperative) and PAMANA KA (Paaralang Mangyan na Angkop sa Kulturang Aalagaan) with Indigenous partners.  HAMALICON advances economic self-reliance through a community-managed cooperative that empowers 312 families with direct market access, guided by an Indigenous-elected, gender-inclusive board. Meanwhile, PAMANA KA is an educational teacher-mentoring partnership program which fosters educational equity for seven tribes by integrating Indigenous knowledge into formal curricula. By positioning teachers as custodians of heritage, the program ensures sustainability is culturally grounded and Indigenous led.

Top 3 learnings

1. We learned that sustainability only lasts when it is built on deep cultural respect.
2. We learned that co-creating solutions empowers Indigenous communities to transition from dependency to self-reliance.
3. As Lasallians, we are capable of inspiring change and transforming lives by embracing shared humanity beyond distance and identity.

What it means to win 

Diversity, equity, and inclusion are long-term commitments. They shape the attitudes we carry from the very beginning. If we are truly committed to sustainability, we must plan for a world where no community is left behind. Winning an International Green Gown Award stands as the standard for this enduring approach. For De La Salle Lipa, co-creating HAMALICON and PAMANA KA with our Indigenous partners is not mere outreach; it is how we operationalize self-reliance and educational equity. This recognition amplifies our commitment to Indigenous human flourishing. We believe that to flourish is to live with agency, purpose, and self-determination, even amid adversity. By weaving ancestral heritage into education and cooperatives, we walk a holistic path toward shared well-being. This award proves that when we embrace our shared humanity across distances, we create a more equitable, compassionate world. - Br. Edmundo L. Fernandez, FSC President, De La Salle Lipa

Judges' feedback

This program meets all of the requirements of equity, diversity and inclusion, it creates sustainable communities protecting both culture and the environment and empowers people to safeguard for future generations. It provides relevant & contextualised education for indigenous peoples, students and staff creating partnerships, and a deep understanding of sustainability, that benefits society as a whole. The program has also provided evidence of continued growth to true self-reliance. The only way to improve on this project, is to share the process and embed it into other universities and continue to embed into other indigenous communities. Highlights the importance of including indigenous knowledge and rights at the heart of the project I was very impressed by this initiative. It addresses challenges that are highly complex both socially and geographically, while also exploring how similar economic activities could be applied in other cities. The scale of the activities and their outcomes are clearly demonstrated with quantitative evidence. In particular, the Leadership and Engagement section provides a strong explanation of both the role and scale of student participation, making this a very strong application. Under Significance for the Sector, the application notes that other cities have already expressed interest. Although the economic model is deeply rooted in complex local circumstances, the initiative also places importance on its potential to scale. I very much hope to see similar approaches adopted more widely. A highly meaningful and large-scale initiative with the potential for not only short term but also long-term impact. The focus on authentic partnership, empowerment, and self-sustaining leadership is what makes this application stand out. It is both important and novel as it engages with an often-excluded or overlooked population within sustainability work (indigenous peoples).

Sustainable Development Goals