A Community United by Purpose: ASOG held its first-ever Mentor’s Gathering

In this time when the call for good governance and compassionate and effective leadership grows even louder, the Ateneo School of Government (ASOG) through the Academic Program, has taken a bold initiative. On 27-28 September 2024, at Casa San Pablo in Laguna, ASOG held its first-ever Mentor’s Gathering as a testament to ASOG’s commitment to shaping the next generation of public servants.

The two-day event brought together mentors from diverse backgrounds each driven by a shared vision: guide and inspire the Doctors to the Barrios (DttBs) who represent the modern-day heroes of public service. The main focus of the gathering is to deepen the understanding of the DttBs, which are mostly Gen Zs and Millennials, and to realize that the Mentoring Program is not just shaping the careers of the DttBs to be dynamic leaders in their chosen path, but also contributing in molding the future of our nation.

The gathering wasn’t solely focused on understanding but it also proactively touched discussions on future actions. The mentors examined the current process through the lens of their mentees to ensure that the program remains relevant and impactful for the DttBs. Moreover, the mentors came up with recommendations to make certain that the program consistently resonates with the lived experiences and different realities of today’s young public health leaders. The importance of rest, self-care, and community support were also emphasized in the gathering. Just like the mentees, the mentors were given a safe space that provided the opportunity to reflect on their own journey of self-discovery and to nurture their own growth and that of their fellow mentors. 

ASOG’s Mentoring Program for DttBs, with the approval and support from the Department of Health, started with DttB Batch 38 and is now currently implemented in Batch 39 and hopefully in the incoming batches hereafter. Spearheaded by Dr. Ruth Rosario D. Gerochi, the Lead Mentor, the Mentoring Program is anchored on the specific contexts of DttBs and will seek to use these realities as an avenue to help them focus on their Psycho-Emotional and Psycho-Social growth and well-being.

The first Mentor's Gathering has planted the seeds of the impact of ASOG’s Mentoring Program to be felt in the years to come–in various government offices, far-flung areas, and in the ordinary lives of Filipinos who will benefit from a new wave of public servants.