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Monday, June 05, 2006
Young Advocates for Peace Camp held in Cotabato
By Bong Garcia
ZAMBOANGA CITY -- Fifty young leaders from various universities and community youth organizations in Mindanao converged last week in Makilala, North Cotabato, for a five-day gathering called "Young Advocates for Peace Camp" that tackled the role of youth in attaining peace.
The youth leaders include delegations from the Provinces of Agusan del Sur, Bukidnon, Davao del Norte, Lanao del Norte, Maguindanao, Misamis Oriental, North Cotabato, Surigao del Sur, Sultan Kudarat and Sulu.
The rest are from the cities of Isabela, Cagayan de Oro, Cotabato, Marawi, and Pagadian.
The Mindanao Economic Development Council (MEDCo) said the peace camp was the first ever Mindanao-wide activity anchored on peace, and organized by the Kids for Peace Foundation Inc., in partnership with the Mindanao Young Women Leaders of Mindanao Commission on Women (MCW), Notre Dame University-Community Extension Services, Assisi Development Foundation Inc., and the National Democratic Institute for International Affairs.
The young leaders, who represent the tri-people culture of Mindanao, women's organizations, Sangguniang Kabataan, and community and university organizations went through several activities such as group discussions on the specific roles of the youth in contributing to the peace process, leadership, and teambuilding exercises.
Among those who served as speakers at the youth camp held in Don Bosco Youth Center include: Charlito Manlupig of Balay Mindanaw (Mindanao Situationer); Orson Sargado of the Catholic Relief Services (Culture of peace orientation); Irene Santiago of the Mindanao Commission on Women; Angel Antonio Salanga of the German Technical Cooperation; and Jovy Luciano of the Alternatibong Katilingbang Kalambuang Panglawas (AKKAP).
Representatives from various government and donor agencies that supported peace and development programs also provided inputs and guidance to the participants as they learn to develop preparing project proposals.
The Young Advocates for Peace Camp was also supported by the United Nations Multi-donor-funded Action for Conflict Transformation for Peace (ACT for Peace) Programme, which is implemented in partnership with MEDCo.
In 2001, Rosan Aliya Agbon, 12, wrote a letter at the height of the war in Mindanao during that year and asked all kids to write messages of peace and hope for the young child-evacuees.
The Kids for Peace Foundation Inc. was formed after her letter spread like wildfire through the Internet and generated overwhelming response from children and youth through the Philippines, China, Australia, Guatemala, and the United States.
Several youth-oriented peace development activities were successfully launched such as the Kites for Peace and the ChildHEAL program under the auspices of the foundation.
(June 5, 2006 issue)
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