Have a problem in your community that you want to solve and resolve? Are the roadside canals of your village too stinky or too open and dangerous for pedestrians? Is your community or neighboring village experiencing environmental breakouts making the villagers and residential households susceptible to flashfloods and, possibly, epidemic?

Do you have concerns in the community that you want to resolve immediately but would require much greater voice or means for you to be heard and recognized?

Malnutrition, poor sanitation, polluted canals and waterways and, not to forget, impoverished housing are the by-products of industrial revolution. These ill-factors can lead to a much bigger problem in which it would take greater time and loads of resources to ease and resolve the crisis.

Societal problems arise because of human negligence and complacency. However, this does not mean that all humans are the same. But perhaps, of a greater multitude committing the similar sins, many innocent lives are affected.   Cliché as it may seem, there is no problem that cannot be resolved. And yes, this is where resolution and actions come into play.

Youths of today can play a big role in transforming a community into a more livable one. Despite the notion of degrading morality and liberal attitudes among youths, still there are youngsters who initiate creative concepts and put them to actions. As young as college students, engaging in activities for social concerns is a noble undertaking, if coupled with the sincerest attitude in doing the outreach programs.

Because of the transition of college students from teens to adulthood, their mindset tends to switch from just fun to serious fun. And yes, there is more fun in indulging in activities intended for social responsibility.

I believe that college students possess the right attitude to initiate ideas that can be beneficial for the community. I highly and plausibly agree to that because I was once a college student.

Hence, it is no wonder that Unilab is encouraging college students to be the drivers of change in their respective communities and to be the problem-solvers and game changers, if I may add.

Through the campaign, Unilab Ideas Positive, 15 communities from different parts and regions in the Philippines will be transformed. But how can this possible?

With the help of college students from different colleges and universities in the Philippines, 15 communities will experience changes and societal development. These groups of students will contribute ideas on how they can transform their communities into livelier and more livable places for happier people.

But there is more to that…

Unilab Ideas Positive is encouraging more college students to conceptualize better ideas. The best ideas garnered will be rewarded with seed money to be used for their communities. Aside from that, 15 groups of students will undergo a 3-day boot camp, training the students about social marketing and the right approaches in implementing this discipline in marketing.

Now, for college students, here’s the catch:

If you want your group to be flown to Manila, booked in a hotel with transportation and meals for free, then join the contest. You and your team will gain the privilege to attend a 3-day boot camp and be trained by social marketing gurus and expert speakers.

 But first as mentioned, you must register as a group, and yes, you must be college students.

For clearer mechanics and a sample entry form, you can check this page out: http://unilabideaspositive.com/mechanics.html

Unilab Ideas Positive was launched in 2010. Last year, speakers for the boot camp included social marketing guru Dr. Ned Roberto and Efren Penaflorida, if you know him; he is the 2009 CNN Hero of the Year. Rocked Founder Gang Badoy was also one of many trainers of last year’s social marketing boot camp.

Interested college students can join by teaming up and registering at www.unilabideaspositive.com. Deadline for submission of entries is on April 16, 2012.