PEACE ADVOCACY in WESTERN MINDANAO

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PEACE
ADVOCACY in
WESTERN MINDANAO
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P E A C E is not essentially about
structures but about GESTURES OF PEOPLE,
men and women throughout history
who have kept hope and have not
given in to discouragement. (Excerpts
from Pope John Paul II, 23 December 2002)
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Zamboanga
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Culture of Violence
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GRP-MILF Peace Negos
GRP-MNLF Peace Accords
SPCPD, Nur Misuari Elected ARMM Governor
BALIKATAN EXERCISES (U.S. RP Forces)
ARMM -Territory
Reconstituted - FAROUK HUSSIN new
governor
Exploratory Talks
Ceasefire /
GRP-MILF with MILF

Talks
PAZ
SALAM
Ramos Administration
(1992-98)
Estrada Administration (1998-2001)
Macapagal-Arroyo
Administration
(2001-present)
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• Created in 1994 as a
  loose group of individuals wanting
  to respond to
  the violence in
  Zamboanga City and
  Western Mindanao.

• A Catholic organization serving as action arm
  of the Inter-religious Dialogue Desk of the
  Archdiocese of Zamboanga City.

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Muslim-Christian Relations
Peace and Development
Peace Education
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Helping Build
the CULTURE of PEACE
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A CULTURE that gives rise to / emanates from

• personal and social transformation,

• an enhanced awareness and analysis of peace
  issues, and

• greater capability in the use of
  skills for conflict transformation

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Respecting
basic human rights
and contributing
to dignified
human living,
with a special
sensitivity

to cultural
and religious
differences
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Honoring the gifts of time, talent, and
resources of a network of partners who share the
peace
and work
to make peace a reality...
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Our Activities T O G E T H E R
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Organizing convergence activities for various
sectors, forums for religious and community
leaders
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Capability Building
for the
Culture of Peace and
Conflict Transformation
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Peace promotion Regular Information
Dissemination through Media
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Support to
urban poor organizing and sectors in difficult
situations
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We envision...
Citizens who are able to analyze how
current events affect our peace
Religious leaders who inspire our people to
recognize, realize and advocate Gods gift of
peace amidst violence
Local government units and communities committed
to peace and development
Schools engaging their students, teachers, staff
and leaders in the creation of caring and
compassionate learning areas
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From the last Thursday of November
to the first Wednesday
of December
THE MINDANAO WEEK OF PEACE
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• An EDUCATIONAL CAMPAIGN
• A comprehensive promotional activity involving
  GOs, NGOs, POs advocating the culture of
  peace in the Southern Philippines.

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A CELEBRATION OF PEACE Initiated in
Zamboanga City by Peace Advocates
Zamboanga Foundation, Inc. (PAZ) and SALAM Peace
Foundation in 1997.
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It has snowballed into a Mindanao-wide event as
adopted by the Bishops-Ulama Conference and
perpetuated as an annual observance through
Presidential Proclamation 127, S.2001
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WEAVING PEACE IN MINDANAO
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Interreligious Solidarity Movement for Peace
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Conference of Peace Advocates
Zamboanga Basilan Sulu Tawi-Tawi
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The Common Ground
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Secretariat
-disseminates information
-prepares documentation
The Interactions
Action Committees -
Membership, - Peace
education, - Human
Rights, - Peace and
Business, - Youth,
- Media

• Tripartite Council
• Muslim
• Catholic
• Protestant

Assigned or volunteer faith
community
- prepares monthly meeting -
arranges content and process flow
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Peace is about people.

• bringing people together

• building relationships

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LESSON LEARNED
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The Power of Peace as
the alternative paradigm for living
Peace the new framework
to build social structures that
in turn bring about more peace
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PEACE A culture that implies a
deep motivation for reconciliation and healing
LESSON LEARNED
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• respect
• for the other

• exploring more venues for
  forgiveness

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LESSON LEARNED
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New patterns of educating for peace
reflecting a sensitivity to
marginalized sectors,
indigenous communities, and
promoting more inclusiveness
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LESSON LEARNED
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New patterns of educating for peace
The transformative role of alternative media
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The paradigm of Pentecost effect
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Thank You
Wassalam...