Arena Fitness Dojo Featured at UN ECOSOC Youth Forum 2026: Martial Arts for Sustainable Development (MCS Philippines)

 

🌏 Martial Arts for Sustainable Development at the UN ECOSOC Youth Forum 2026

On April 16, 2026, the Martial Arts Coalition for Sustainable Development (MCS), in partnership with the Jadir Taekwondo Association (AJTKD), hosted a dynamic virtual side event titled:

“Martial Arts for Sustainable Development: By Youth and For Youth.”

Held alongside the United Nations ECOSOC Youth Forum 2026, the session brought together young leaders, global organizations, and grassroots initiatives working to address local challenges while advancing the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

The event drew an international audience, including youth delegates and representatives from sport-for-development organizations across multiple countries.

Moderated by Inês Crespo, Head of Marketing at AJTKD, the session opened with remarks from Grandmaster Jadir Figueira, AJTKD President and MCS Co-founder. He emphasized that martial arts provides a unique pathway for young people to transition from participants into community leaders.

Danilo Malafaia, MCS Co-founder, followed with a presentation highlighting the rapid growth of the global martial arts ecosystem contributing to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), reinforcing the role of collaboration across nations.

🌍 Showcasing Grassroots Action Across the Globe

A key component of the event was the presentation of community-based projects demonstrating how martial arts can drive inclusion, education, and social transformation:

  • Acciona para el Cambio Social / AXC ONG (Guatemala) – using sport to promote social inclusion and environmental awareness
  • Arena Fitness Dojo (Philippines) – showcasing grassroots initiatives that empower youth leadership and inclusive community training
  • Social Martial Arts Association (Spain) – advancing sustainable cities through martial arts programs
  • Wushu Sport Association (Brazil) – integrating SDG principles into structured youth training

Among these, Arena Fitness Dojo (and Wushu Arena Philippines) represented the Philippines as a Featured Project — highlighting how locally developed systems can contribute to global development frameworks.



🎤 From Grassroots to Global Strategy

The panel discussion focused on scaling local impact into global systems.

Danilo Malafaia shared the expansion of MCS from 7 founding organizations to over 115 members worldwide, emphasizing its role in connecting grassroots initiatives and bringing visibility to their real-world impact.

Kateryna Biloruska (Kateryna Biloruska Foundation) challenged traditional perspectives by emphasizing that grassroots organizations should be recognized not merely as service providers, but as strategic partners with deep community trust.

Looking ahead, Shelly Lee (Boxing is Love) outlined a vision for 2030 where sport becomes more integrated with sectors such as education, healthcare, and nutrition — enabling youth to engage with broader societal challenges.

🇵🇭 Youth Leadership: Philippines on the Global Stage

A major highlight of the session was the official announcement of the Youth Ambassadors to the MCS.

Among those selected:

👉 Sha Liwanag (Philippines) of Arena Fitness Dojo

Her appointment strengthens the presence of the Philippines in global conversations on martial arts, youth leadership, and sustainable development — ensuring that grassroots voices continue to shape international collaboration.




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