By: Keziah Nicole Fernandez
Criminology graduate, Ms. Chennie A. Fortes, and Criminology Intern, Mr. Renzo Luis P. Sta. Isabel, from the University of the Cordilleras-College of Criminal Justice Education (UC-CCJE) joined a special meeting called the Social Welfare Research Forum, which celebrated excellent research focused on helping people in the community.
The goal of this event was to encourage students to feel confident in showing and explaining their work, while also promoting the use of research to guide practical actions and encourage teamwork among students, professors, and professionals. Chennie and Renzo, who were joined by their adviser, Dr. Jevilyn P. Madalang, presented their study titled, “Navigating the Complexities of Dealing with Child in Conflict with the Law (CICL),” which looks closely at the difficult experiences of teams trying to help kids who have gotten into legal trouble.
Ms. Chennie and Mr. Renzo during the Presentation of their Research
In their presentation, they highlighted that these multi-disciplinary teams often struggle due to poor communication and limits within the system, emphasizing that it is essential to give the children well-rounded, holistic support. This student-led research helps solve real-world social issues and supports broader goals for Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions (SDG 16), by pushing for better institutional practices and collaboration.
Ms. Chennie Answering Questions during the Open Forum
After sharing their findings, Ms. Fortes was asked to come back on stage to answer specific questions during a discussion period. She clearly and effectively responded to difficult inquiries about how they conducted their research, what they discovered, and what the findings meant for real-life work, demonstrating her deep understanding. Their involvement showed the great importance of students investigating solutions to complex problems, and the event successfully reinforced that teamwork and clear communication are key to addressing difficult social welfare issues.
