Last September 12, 2008, the Human Development International headed by John Largo (Founder) and accompanied by Kjell Iversen (Chairperson of Philippine Norway Foundation based in Skjeberg) and Laida Quidato  (HDI Youth Ambassadress) re-echoed the Call to Save the Mountains of the World at Mt. Galdhopiggen (2469 meters asl) - the highest summit in Scandinavia and the European Arctic (North Pole Region), a mountain rock in Jotunheimen, Norway.

The Call was first made at the Philippines` highest summit at Mount Apo in 2002 during the International Year of the Mountains and since has been re-echoed in many places around the globe including at Mount Everest. Through the years it has gathered hundreds of supporters and slowly has become a global movement as it got the support and endorsement of the then UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan in 2003, His Holiness the Dalai Lama, Her Excellency Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, Former President Fidel Ramos and other leaders and influential individuals as well as the multitude who have volunteered time, effort and resources for the cause.

For the said climb, HDI team selected Spiterstulen (1100 m asl) as the jump off based camp that goes north, crossing a river by a bridge and then climbing up the mountainside within the Juvasshytta route which has a gain of 600 meters and crosses the dangerous Styggedalsbreen (basic glacier), then follows the easy ridge (at first rocky, later snowy) to the summit. But the last part of the glacier before the summit has some ugly crevasses where some people died few years ago.

At the top, after the grueling hours of threading across steep rocks and boulders, the team raised the "Call to Save the Mountains of the World Banner" and Largo on top of his voice said as quote, "From Galdhopiggen, the highest summit in the Scandinavia - European Arctic in Norway, we are calling upon all those who have the power, the opportunity and dedication to initiate, support and maintain local, national and global interaction where resources are collectively pooled, institutionally arranged and effectively utilized for a common direction to save the mountains of the world".

Largo said that the call at the top was of great significance for it further focuses attention of leaders and people worldwide on the alarming melting of the polar ice cap due to global warming. He further said, that aside from the fact that mountains provide us with the air we breathe, the water we drink and other life giving sustenance, it is also the habitat of forests which are the and natural sink of carbon dioxide that causes global warming. Thus he stressed that saving and restoring mountains help reduce carbon dioxide emission that significantly contributes in the all out effort to address climate change.

He further stressed that mountains are great water towers that provide water for trees and other vegetation to grow in the lowlands and in coastal areas, thereby increasing nature's ability to reduce carbon dioxide emission. The call at Mt. Galdhopiggen reinforces the inputs that the Human Development International contributed in the UN Resolution on Sustainable Mountain Development last year in partnership with the Philippine Mission to the United Nations - DFA and the Forest Management Bureau - DENR. 

HDI in its steadfast effort to spread the cause woldwide after it got the endorsement of the former UN Secretary General Kofi Annan in 2003 has again made significant inroad when it has contributed inputs in the UN Resolution on Sustainable Mountain Development that was adopted by consensus at the plenary session of the Second Committee at the United Nations on December 7, 2007.

HDI’s inputs that formed part of the Philippines’ contribution to said resolution were further enriched by the Department of Foreign Affairs, the Philippine Mission to the United Nations and the Forest Management Bureau - Department of Environment and Natural Resources.

These inputs are under OP12 and OP14 that read; (OP12) Underlines the importance of forest management, the avoidance of deforestation as well as the restoration of lost and degraded forest ecosystems of mountains in order to enhance the role of mountains as natural carbon and water regulators; (OP14) Expresses its deep concern at the number and scale of natural disasters and their increasing impact within recent years, which have resulted in massive loss of life and long-term negative social, economic and environmental consequences for vulnerable societies throughout the world, in particular in mountain regions, especially those in developing countries and urges the international community to take concrete steps to support national and regional efforts to ensure the sustainable development of mountains.

HDI responding to the need to address the rapid degradation of marine waters and the United Nations Report last June 7, 2004 has included “sea mounts” in its Call to Save the Mountains of the World endorsed by the then United Nations Secretary General Kofi Annan and the President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo of the Philippines. The report states, that unsustainable fishing practice threaten the planet’s most diverse biological hotspots, underwater mountains called seamounts”. Seamounts support distinctive and little-known species.

“Seamounts harbor some of the planet’s richest biodiversity, an array of species that include life forms thought to be extinct, the deepest known plants, and corals that are the longest lived animals on earth”, said Dr. Daniel Pauly, Director of the Fisheries Centre at the University of British Columbia in Canada. The report, “Seamounts: Biodiversity and Fisheries,” found that seamounts species are more vulnerable to fishing than any other type fish. It shows that seamount fisheries are unsustainable for it has depleted their target species in a matter of few years. Moreover, depleted seamount has not recovered even decades after fishing ceased. Seamounts dot the bottom of the world’s oceans an, like true islands; they are geographically isolated, resulting in high numbers of species that are found nowhere else. They support abundant sponges, anemones and corals in fragile, tree-like forms that are easily damaged by bottom trawls. The world’s seamounts number from 14,000 to as many as 50,000, yet less than 1 percent have been studied. Half of all seamounts are located in international waters and unprotected from bottom trawling. At the meeting of the United Nations Informal Consultative Process on the Law of the Sea (UNICPOLOS), a coalition of conservation groups called on delegates to back a U.N. resolution to prohibit high seas bottom trawling until seamounts and deep water corals can be assessed scientifically and regulatory regime is put in placed to protect them. The Human Development International who has made in roads in marine conservation in the Philippines when it worked for the creation of the Davao Gulf Management Council (DGMC) comprising of government and non-governmental organizations has joined conservation groups for a moratorium on bottom trawling in national and international waters.

In order for the Call to Save the Mountains of the World to reach other corners of the world, John Ryan Largo, HDI Founder and Chairperson, together with HDI USA presented the call to the United Nations Secretary General Kofi Annan at the United Nations Headquarters in New York, USA last March 21, 2003- aimed at getting U.N. acknowledgement on volunteers' effort to save mountains and seek worldwide endorsement of the call. Two weeks later on April 3, 2003 – an official communiqué was received from the Office of the Philippine Permanent Mission Representative to the United Nations at 5th Avenue, Manhattan, New York and from the UNDP informing that the United Nations Secretary General has signed and endorsed the call worldwide. Largo who was in Baltimore, Maryland immediately thanked the U.N. Sec. Gen. on an official letter. He also thanked Gillian Martin Sorensen, the U.N. Asst. Sec. Gen. for External Affairs who facilitated the signing of the call and for the warm reception during HDI courtesy call at the Office of the U.N. Sec. General. Sorensen wished HDI continued success in its work to protect the environment. Hafiz Pasha, U.N. Asst. Sec. Gen; UNDP Asst. Administrator and Director, Regional Bureau for Asia and the Pacific told HDI on an official communiqué, that UNDP was pleased to know that the U.N. Sec. Gen. had signed the call and wished HDI continued efforts to save the mountains of the world.

Pasha statement was the outcome of HDI “courtesy visit” at the Office of the UNDP Administrator at UN Plaza 1 in New York where Largo presented a copy of the “call document” to Zipherin Diabre, the UNDP Deputy Administrator who cited the work of HDI in the preservation for the environment. Largo thanked Ambassador Enrique Manalo, Philippines Permanent Representative to the United Nations at his office last March 21, 2003 in New York for his support in arranging the courtesy call with the United Nations Secretary General. He also thanked Maynard Monte Alegre, the First Secretary and Gini de Guzman for escorting the group to the United Nations Headquarters during the courtesy call. He also thanked UNDP Manila who arranged the courtesy visit with the UNDP Administrator in New York.

From the Founder's Journal:

As I boarded the Northwest 747 plane at Ninoy International Airport that would take me half way around the globe to Baltimore Washington International Airport (BWI) via Nagoya, Japan and Detroit, Michigan in the early morning of March 6, 2003 I have no idea what awaits me at the end of my destination where I was to speak at a FILIPINO INTERCOLLEGIATE NETWORKING DIALOGUE SPRING CONFERENCE 2003 at the University of Maryland Baltimore County. It was a flight filled with apprehension caused by the heightened terrorist alert triggered by a bombed that exploded at the Davao International Airport where I took my flight for Manila a few days ago, the looming war between Iraq and the United States, and being on board in an American airline.

It was long and tedious flight with more than an hour stopover at Nagoya International Airport that brought back memories of my years sojourn at the United Nations in Tokyo. When the plane landed at the Detroit International Airport all passengers felt great relief but was short lived when passengers have to pass through rigorous and strict immigration and security formalities that found many unable to take connecting flight including myself. I took the next flight to Baltimore and upon arrival was welcomed by FIND welcome committee who was wondering of my whereabout as my baggage came earlier with the flight I was booked. After a brief formalities I was brought to Courtyard at Marriotte Hotel where I was billeted.

The FIND Spring Conference 2003 was a series of workshops on Filipino and Filipino-American culture, community, and current issues. It focused on exploring the Filipino heritage, expanding the knowledge of current Filipino issues and excelling within the Filipino community. HDI was invited to speak on the AShocking Plight of the Philippine Mountains and its Indigenous People@, the AJourney of the Philippine Culture through the Changing Times@ and AThe Vanishing Ethnic Culture of the Philippines@. Other topics presented in the conference were the Societal Landscape and Civil Liberties for the Filipino American Community, Generation Gaps, Relations with Other Asia Pacific Americans, Community Activism and others. The conference opened with hundreds of Filipino-American students from all over Canada and the United States registering for the conference at the University of Maryland Baltimore County.

Participants came from various prestigious educational institutions both in Canada and the U.S., e.g. the George Town University, University of Maryland, and Harvard, etc., During my presentation I came to realize that many yearned to know about their roots as Filipinos whom many don’t even know what is Philippines. A number cried and expressed their desire to help the sad predicaments that our mountain people are suffering. Much so when the learned that children have to walk many kilometers on rugged mountainous trail in order to reach their school. Further many, if not all do not have books and classes where held made in makeshift classroom that offer no shelter during heavy downpour.

The talk on the Philippine Mountains ended with the Filipino American students re-echoing the CALL TO SAVE THE MOUNTAINS OF THE WORLD done at Mt. Apo last February 25, 2002, followed by participants singing the song "Colors of the Wind" where it made the discussion more felt. While the Journey of the Philippine Culture Through the Changing Times ended with a workshop where participants unanimously expressed the need to re-shape the Filipino culture as to make it responsive to the needs of the changing times; - a culture that Filipinos would take pride and move them as one in achieving national goals and aspirations.

The two day conference graced with "vendo fair", series of lectures, a one man show on growing up in America, ended with a a Pistahan Night and a party. All participants were grateful of the experience that had enlightened them of their roots, - in a time when Filipinos are in a dilemma to the question of what is a Filipino in this changing times - much so that many Filipinos have come to embrace other cultures of other countries. Wi this fact, time has come on the need for Filipinos to define and reshape its culture that wold propel them as one people and a country toward achieving national goals.

To all Filipinos in the Philippines and abroad a question arise as to whether we, as a people be able to re-shape our culture or create that Filipino ideology that would propel us strongly as a people in achieving our aspiration or succumb to the influence of other cultures and continue the path of fragmentation. A question that must now be addressed!

The "Call to Save the Mountains of the World" done at the Philippines' tallest peak at Mt. Apo, in February 25, 2002 was a respond to the grim reality that people around the world are living in critical times as a result of people's irresponsible and uncaring actions on the earth’s natural processes. Despite of this reality, people have remained heartless and living witnesses of beaten-up mountain ranges, denuded with trees, fouled with destructive wastes, exploited and vandalized. Thus around the world, there’s a rapid depletion of the mountain’s life-giving resources due to perverse economic incentives and political motives, inappropriate technology and land tenurial insecurity, greed and indifference that indicators of global ecological problems are unfolding before us in catastrophic dimension. It was the outcome of the series of calls made by the HDI Vanguard Corps for Peace and Development to save the environment. It started with the “Call to Save Fresh and Marine Waters” in 1997 and followed by series of calls to save the environment inland that culminated with the "Call to Save the Mountains of the World" that includes "underwater mountains" (seamounts) that dot the bottom of the oceans. Today these efforts have transcended into a CALL TO SAVE HUMANITY AND PLANET EARTH that calls for people to foster peace consciousness, human development and the preservation of Mother Nature.

The call was conceived by the Human Development International Vanguard Corps for Peace and Development that capsulated the series of calls it made to save the environment that originated with the Call to Save Fresh and Marine Waters in 1997 at Davao Gulf. It coincided with the United Nations declaration of the International Year of the Mountain in 2002 where the Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO), was designated as the lead agency in the celebration. HDI has collaborated with FAO in the translation of IYM materials into the local dialect. FAO sent reference materials on mountains that formed part of the materials used by John Ryan Largo, the HDI Founder in drafting the call. The call manuscript took time to make since it was subjected to consultation and brainstorming. Then when it was finalized copies were sent to partner institutions and stakeholders for comments. Governor Many Pinol of the Province of Cotabato, Ermelo Libre of the Mt. Apo Foundation, Inc., and others made suggestions that were incorporated in the final call document.

HDI invited the Office of the President Republic of the Philippines, the Office of the Mayor in Davao City, the United Nations Development Programme – United Nations Volunteers, the Philippine National Volunteers Service Coordinating Agency, the National Youth Commission, the Japanese Overseas Cooperating Volunteers, and others to join the call at the country’s highest summit. Likewise assistance was sought from Ferdie Santos, the Supervisor of the Environment Management Department of the Philippine National Oil Corporation - Kidapawan Geothermal Plant, HDI stalwart partner in its Mt. Apo activities. Santos recommended the participation of Mount Apo Foundation, Inc., (MAFI), the foundation PNOC established to help uplift the socio-economic well being of the indigenous people and residents living within a specified radius from its geothermal plant at Mt. Apo. This led Ermelo Libre, MAFI its Executive Director to invite stakeholders at Cotabato Province to participate in the call. Governor Manny Pinol of Cotabato Province did not only express support but volunteered to join and lead the call with other leaders.

Tribal Chieftains of indigenous people and Heads of various participating organizations were given part in the call which they translated in their local dialects. The National Youth Commissioner Girlie Amarillo together with Merlyn Espeso, the UNV Field Coordinator from Manila spoke in Tagalog. HDI Youth Volunteer Maya Flaminda Vandenbroeck spoke in Dutch and a JOCV Volunteer spoke in Japanese (Japanese Overseas Cooperating Volunteer). The historic Call to Save the Mountains of the World was broadcasted live that morning of February 25, 2002 that reverberated with solemnity and urgency at the Philippines' highest summit. Simultaneously similar call was done on a mountain facing Mt. Apo at Puting Bato, the highest peak at Samal Island at Davao Gulf (now the Island Garden City of Samal) by another team of HDI Vanguard Corps for Peace and Development. The Founder as the Commander of the 104th Philippine Coast Guard Auxiliary Squadron and the Chief of Staff of the PCGA Southeastern Mindanao; Board of Director of the Save Davao Gulf Foundation, Inc., and the Davao Gulf Management Council initiated a region wide clean up from Davao Gulf to inland and the mountains as part of the call activity that was supported by schools, media and others.

In 1990 another forest fire engulfed Mt. Apo that prompted the Corps to send an evaluation team with the help of Nilo Rivera, the Mt. Apo Nature Park Superintendent of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, and Ferdie Santos Supervisor of the Environment Management Department of the Philippine National Oil Corporation - Geothermal Plant at Kidapawan City. Results of the evaluation impelled the Corps to recommend for its temporary closure from human activities aimed at giving the mountain a breathing space to recuperate from years of destruction; - and give time to authorities concerned to formulate modalities that would effectively regulate human activities in the mountain. Likewise for authorities concerned to put urgency in addressing issues confronting the Nature Park, e.g. delineation of the park boundary particularly at Kapatagan area in Digos where it has been massively encroached by the so called "rich and famous" who have transformed the area into a summer resort haven and a vegetable basket. Poverty in this area is widespread and is on a downward spiral with environmental degradation that forced the poor to exploit the mountain's remaining resources in order to survive.

Although Mt. Apo was temporary closed for a considerable period of years, today slowly entry points to the peak are being opened for tourism with the aim of generating economic gain. Despite strict regulations imposed in the issuance of permit to open entry point, - invasion of the mountain by climbers continue unabated like one Lenten climbing season, where more than 3,000 climbers climbed the summit more than its “earth carrying capacity” that destroyed things along its path; displaced wildlife and leaving unimaginable waste.

In a special meeting in June 29, 1999 at the Office of the City Mayor of Davao City, officiated by Mayor Ben De Guzman and attended by Margarita Moran Floirendo, former Miss Universe and John Ryan Largo a United Nations Diplomat, and other officials - Mayor De Guzman suggested to hold a meeting among leaders of the 21 local government units around the gulf comprising of 5 cities 16 municipalities to ascertain the amount of fund that each LGU should contribute that will be used to protect and preserve Davao Gulf. Mr. Largo who was tasked to organize said meeting suggested instead the holding of a Davao Gulf Summit Meeting that will be participated by all stakeholders, namely local government units, non-governmental organizations, academe, government agencies and people’s organization as to encourage people’s participation in determining their future towards a development that enhances people’s lives without jeopardizing the ability of the gulf to sustain life.

In this regards, the Human Development International was commissioned to conduct a social and environmental assessment at the gulf that led to the creation of the HDI SEA Team (Social and Environmental Assessment) headed by Adones Suarez that conducted the assessment that became the position paper in the holding of the summit meeting. Largo, concern that said meeting should result to a tangible outcome conceived and recommended the creation of the Davao Gulf Management Council comprising of various stakeholders aimed at unifying policies at the gulf promulgated by various LGUs; and that will serve as a platform in launching a unified, concerted and cooperative action to address problems at the gulf. Today has become a legacy for all those who have taken part in the establishment of the Council particularly the Human Development International that has played a key role in its establishment.

In September 30, 1997 HDI Philippines launched the “movers for human development” known as the Foreign Legion for professionals and Vanguard Corps for students with a sub-group called Vanguard Prime Movers. After a year, it accomplished various achievements, e.g. it has initiated the “Save Fresh and Marine Waters/Mt. Apo Declaration” and Perma Drive which gathered thousands of signatories. It attracted the support of the City Government of Davao and the Office of the Presidential Assistant for Mindanao who endorsed said declaration to the President of the Philippines. Former Vice Mayor of Davao Ccity, Mrs. Pilar Braga called Vanguards and Legionnaires as living heroes in recognition of their outstanding achievements.

Ten Vanguard Sea Lions of HD ECOWATCH successfully met the first 6.3 km. Davao Gulf Cross Swim Channel in a record of 2 hours and 58 minutes that focused public attention on the deteriorating condition of Davao Gulf. HDI Forest and Wildlife Rangers made the first declaration and live telecast at the country’s highest peak in a Call to Save Fresh and Marine Waters and forests lands in the country. A year later, the first flag raising at the summit depicting the evolution of the Philippine flag in commemoration of the county’s hundred years of independence.

The HDI Media Group also made a four-month long medical/dental outreach at Samal and helped street children. Its Media Group has been undertaking advocacy work in the print and broadcast media. Seminars and training were conducted by its Education Division, e.g. “The Asian Financial Crisis Lecture-Forum” co-sponsored with the University of the Philippines with Dr. Adres G. Victorio MPP, Ph.D. as guest lecturer, - a professor at the Victoria University of Wellington in New Zealand, Harvard University graduate and a member of HDI International Directorate. In addition, members have also undergone series of upgrading training from the “Life Support Techniques” and the “Seal Orientation Course” conducted by the Philippine Navy Seal NSWG-7 aimed at enhancing response capability of the Corps and the Legion during disasters. In a short span of time HDI has done remarkable services toward enhancing people’s lives.

In the year of 1995, John Ryan Largo a Communications Consultant/Lecturer at the United Nations Statistical Institute for Asia and the Philippines was sent twice on an official mission to Davao City, Philippines to document human development activities initiated by government and non-governmental organizations. Groundwork for the establishment of an HDI in the Philippines started when its was registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission on November 14, 1995 with registration number DN095000588 as the Human Development Advocates Foundation, Inc. based in Davao City. Above photo showed the courtesy call made by the UNSIAP official to the Honorable Rodrigo R. Duterte, Mayor of Davao City (left), accompanied by Councilor Pilar P. Braga (lady at the center) and Councilor Leo Avila III (right). This paved way for collaboration between the City of Davao and UNSIAP in Tokyo, Japan. Largo who was also a staff of UNDP human development program also introduced the United Nations “human development concept in development” in the city that put people as the central focus and ultimate end in development. With the assistance of Councilor Braga and Avila the III, Largo was able to document “human development activities” which was used in the production of educational video materials on statistics relating to human development. The City became the recipient of these training materials used by the Institute in training statisticians in Asia-Pacific countries, - and given preference in the selection of training participant in the courses conducted at UNSIAP. Likewise, Largo assisted city officials in Davao who underwent training in Japan under the JICA program. His official mission to Davao City became one of the many reasons why he came back to Davao to establish the Human Development International which he founded in Tokyo in 1990 (that has its beginning in Davao City in the early 80s before he joined the United Nations).

Davao being the focal area of activities of HDI, he conceived and worked for the creation of the Davao Gulf Management Council (DGMC) that became the platform in addressing problems at the gulf for the whole region of Davao comprising of various cities and municipalities. Mayor Rodrigo R. Duterte became DGMC’s Chairperson which later he delegated to Councilor Leo Avila III who worked with Largo in developmental activities in Davao in the 80s. This meeting became a milestone in the history of the Human Development International that led to remarkable collaboration with Mayor Duterte in developmental activities including the Call to Save the Mountains of the World that was endorsed worldwide by the United Nations Secretary General Kofi Anan and other leaders. Mayor Duterte was the first government official to sign and endorse the call worldwide, that has become a feat of great historical and international significance which Davao City and its constituents can be proud of.

The road that led to the establishment of the Human Development International was not easy contrary to many would think. One of the major contributory factors that influenced its establishment is the Founder’s more than 10 years of service in the United Nations in developing and highly industrialized countries. He first joined as a U.N. Volunteer Specialist in mid 80s, - in a post assignment that made him experienced what it felt to be in an impoverished country and ravaged by years of civil strife, secessionist movement, and political instability at the Open University of Sri Lanka at Colombo, a UNDP-UNESCO Project. This brought him in various places in the island country including mountain areas and salt marshes that were scenes of clashes between soldiers and insurgents. He met people of all walks of life where most were plagued by grieve socio-economic deprivation indicating the wide disparity between the poor and the rich. Aggravated by the “caste system” where people are grouped into different social classes. He was in a multi ethnic society of varied cultures and religions, e.g. Buddhism, Hinduism, Mohammedanism, Christians and others. He was amidst chaotic situations like series bombings that victimized hundreds of civilians; and nationwide civilian unrest that saw people looting and destroying government and private establishments; public utilities and others. It was at this time that the Founder and his team while filming at Sinharajah forest miles away from Colombo got stuck because road leading to the capital was in chaotic situation with the absence of law and order. The need to be with the family and be in touched with UNDP Colombo that were rounding up U.N. personnel for evacuation, made the Founder decide to head home on board marked U.N. vehicle amidst fighting on the street. He said that it was like in the movies that anytime you can be shot and killed or mob by angry crowd fueled by anger against the government and the feud between the Sri Lankans and the Tamils populace.

After two-year stint in South Asia he got posted at the United Nations Statistical Institute for Asia and the Pacific in Tokyo, a highly industrialized country that given him opportunity to visit other countries and do official business at the U.N. Headquarters particularly the Department of Public Information. This gave him a wide perspective on the socio-economic status of people and the onslaught on natural resources and the environment. His experiences at the United Nations and being part of UNDP ‘human development program’ led him to establish the Human Development International in 1990 that supports United Nations thrust on sustainable human development. His experiences did not only endanger him but almost got him killed this include the subway gas poisoning in Tokyo.

The road to HDI establishment was not all glamorous it was tough as the Founder faced the hard realities of life today that encouraged him more to do service to humanity and mother nature.