Striving for Peace

The on-going conflict in Mindanao was recently highlighted in the weekend news due to three days of bombings. The conflict continues to cause pain, suffering and unfortunately, deaths. The consequence of these recent events have caused for the United Nations Food Agency, the World Food Programme, to suspend their aid mission to the region’s refugees due to safety concerns. Hopefully the distribution of food will be resumed if and when the situation settles. These events have called for high security across the country and in particular for Manila to be closely guarded.

Back in September 2008, the Mindanao Peace Initiative was launched and co-sponsored by the Universal Peace Federation (UPF), the Philippine Government at national and local levels, and non governmental organisations.

“The Mindanao Peace Initiative is a rising civil-society peacebuilder and is involved in a participatory and inclusive approach to peace anchored on respect for cultural and religious differences. It has identified sectors from the grassroots peace constituency representing Mindanao Island’s Christian and Muslim religious leaders, Lumads, academe, business, professionals, and public servants, with the majority of participants coming from the Department of Education.”

A UK Committee has been set up to support and seek funding, and ultimately raise awareness for peace in Mindanao.

The UK Committee will be supporting the following projects:

- Lanao Del Norte (LDN) Peace School Model – a project to provide a school for the children (displaced and orphaned) who have been affected by the armed conflict; to help rehabilitate their future as integrators of peace.

- “Sayaw Tayo” - The First Mindanao Hip Hop Convention to be held in August in Cagayan de Oro City. In partnership with the Phil Hip Hop Federation and Gobott, Inc. The aim will be to encourage the youth to use dance as a form of expression and as an alternative to crime and drugs.

“With Service For Peace we are also exploring the possibility of advocating volunteerism and service in Lanao Del Norte and Davao City, as well as implementing micro financing and soft loans for young entrepreneurs and women.

The MinPI UK Committee will be overseen by the Universal Peace Federation and its partners, particularly in the Filipino community. Administration and handling of contributions/sponsorships will be provided by International Relief Friendship Foundation, Inc. (IRFF), a UK charity organization. Execution on the ground in Mindanao will be the responsibility of Service For Peace and partner Filipino NGOs.” **

For further information, please contact Gene Alcantara of the Mindanao Peace Initiative, UK Committee.

Email: GeneAlcant@aol.com

In regards to financial contributions, please visit: http://www.irff.org

Please specify that your contribution is for the Mindanao Peace Initiative UK.

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LINKS:

http://www.minpi.info

http://www.globalpeacefestival.com

http://www.irff.org

http://www.serviceforpeace.org

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* http://www.minpi.info