Central Mindanao University Academic Paradise of the South
Central Mindanao University, through its College of Human Ecology, marked a significant milestone by hosting the first combined International Conference on Social Development and Sustainability (ICSDS) and the Philippine Human Ecology Consortium (PHEC) Conference. The event was organized in collaboration with the University of the Philippines Los Baños – College of Human Ecology, the Department of Social Development Services, and the Philippine Human Ecology Consortium, and was held on November 18–19, 2025, at the Farmers Training Center.
The conference gathered civil society representatives, practitioners, policymakers, researchers, academics, and experts from across the country to discuss research and practices that highlight social and community innovations, intersectoral collaboration, and strategic partnerships aimed at promoting social development and sustainability.
During the opening program, University President Dr. Rolito G. Eballe, represented by the Vice President for Research, Development, and Extension (VPRDE), Dr. Allan T. Dargantes, described the event as truly monumental, marking the simultaneous celebration of the first ICSDS and the PHEC Conference for the year.
“We are honored and proud that this historic event is being held here at CMU. Our heartfelt thanks to the UPLB College of Human Ecology for the trust and partnership in this international endeavor,” Dr. Dargantes expressed.
The conference featured insightful keynote presentations from leading experts in Human Ecology and Social Development. Among the speakers was Dr. Sue L. T. McGregor, Professor Emerita of Human Ecology at Mount Saint Vincent University, Canada, who emphasized that human ecological well-being can be significantly improved when social development and sustainability are pursued in tandem with economic and human development, underscoring the transformative potential of an integrated, systems-oriented approach.
Guided by the theme “Social Development and Sustainability for Human-Ecological Well-being,” the event also offered a series of parallel sessions covering a diverse range of topics, including Social Innovation and Technologies for Well-being, Collaborative Climate Action and Disaster Risk Management, Decent Work, Ecocultural Livelihoods and Inclusive Tourism, Social and Ecological Determinants of Health, and Food and Nutrition Systems for Human-Ecological Well-being.
The conference gathered participants from various State Universities and Colleges, fostering a vibrant exchange of ideas and actively engaging stakeholders in sharing experiences, lessons learned, best practices, and innovations in response to emerging opportunities and challenges at the intersection of social development and sustainability.
Support for the event was provided by the Department of Science and Technology IV-A, Gardenia Bakeries Philippines Inc., the Philippine National Oil Company – Exploration Corporation, and the Tan Yan Kee Foundation Inc., in partnership with HUMEIN Philippines Inc. and the Department of the Interior and Local Government Academy. A total of 200 participants took part in the conference, including faculty members, students, researchers, civil society representatives, and practitioners, making the event a meaningful platform for dialogue, learning, and collective action. [Mary Jane D. Bravo]
