Get Serious in Peace-Making Incoming Political Leaders Urged
PRESS RELEASE
ZAMBOANGA CITY (PAZ/05 May 07) - - A Leading peace advocate in this port city challenged political leaders who will soon start a new term of office after the recent elections "to get serious about the peace agenda of the people, especially the dreams of children for a peaceful Mindanao."
Speaking at the opening last Monday afternoon of the 4th South Central Mindanao Interfaith Conference, Peace Advocates Zamboanga (PAZ) president Fr. Angel Calvo told the participants how the city's interfaith movement presented an action agenda for peace to local candidates during the recent elections. The Inter-Religious Solidarity Movement for Peace (IRMSP) in a candidates' forum it sponsored here earlier this month called for a greater, more pro-active and positive response by the local government to Mindanao's peace process, Fr. Calvo said.
The World Vision Development Foundation is holding the four-day conference among some 80 leaders of grassroot communities it supports in several southern and central provinces of Mindanao, Area Development Program Manager Fe Acela Dagohoy said. The event held at the Nuestra Sra. Del Pilar Lay and Retreat Formation Center in Barangay Mercedes aims to more deeply integrate peace-building and advocacy in the various developmental projects and activities of the communities, Dagohoy said.
In this city, World Vision has for many years provided material and institutional support to two communities, situated in Sangali and in the urban district, known respectively as the Ayudahan and Agape development associations. Both have joint Muslim, Christian and tribal memberships and through a self-management system extend basic services like health and education to its mostly indigent members.
American World Vision consultant Michelle Garred, who was present during Monday's opening program, said Mindanao's interfaith approach to peace-building and community development has evolved into a model for the world. PAZ is one of the pioneers of this inter-religious strategy when it launched its "pazsalam culture of peace" paradigm more than 10 years ago, one of the impetus to the birth of the Bishops-Ulama Council. The United Nations recently adopted the Philippine interfaith programs as a model to promote world peace.
The opening was also graced by Mayor Celso Lobregat. Keynote speaker was evangelical pastor Rev. Vicente Climaco of the local Holy Trinity Church.
Reflecting on the theme of the conference, which is "Weaving Our Experiences Together With The Children To Sustain Peace And Development", Fr. Calvo urged the community leaders to weave the richness of Mindanao's varied religious and indigenous traditions into a colorful, inclusive fabric of social and economic solidarity. He said Mindanao's children, a favorite concern of World Vision, not only provide opportunities for local civil societies to serve but that children be made integral partners of a peace-in-progress. ( PAZ Press Release)
Speaking at the opening last Monday afternoon of the 4th South Central Mindanao Interfaith Conference, Peace Advocates Zamboanga (PAZ) president Fr. Angel Calvo told the participants how the city's interfaith movement presented an action agenda for peace to local candidates during the recent elections. The Inter-Religious Solidarity Movement for Peace (IRMSP) in a candidates' forum it sponsored here earlier this month called for a greater, more pro-active and positive response by the local government to Mindanao's peace process, Fr. Calvo said.
The World Vision Development Foundation is holding the four-day conference among some 80 leaders of grassroot communities it supports in several southern and central provinces of Mindanao, Area Development Program Manager Fe Acela Dagohoy said. The event held at the Nuestra Sra. Del Pilar Lay and Retreat Formation Center in Barangay Mercedes aims to more deeply integrate peace-building and advocacy in the various developmental projects and activities of the communities, Dagohoy said.
In this city, World Vision has for many years provided material and institutional support to two communities, situated in Sangali and in the urban district, known respectively as the Ayudahan and Agape development associations. Both have joint Muslim, Christian and tribal memberships and through a self-management system extend basic services like health and education to its mostly indigent members.
American World Vision consultant Michelle Garred, who was present during Monday's opening program, said Mindanao's interfaith approach to peace-building and community development has evolved into a model for the world. PAZ is one of the pioneers of this inter-religious strategy when it launched its "pazsalam culture of peace" paradigm more than 10 years ago, one of the impetus to the birth of the Bishops-Ulama Council. The United Nations recently adopted the Philippine interfaith programs as a model to promote world peace.
The opening was also graced by Mayor Celso Lobregat. Keynote speaker was evangelical pastor Rev. Vicente Climaco of the local Holy Trinity Church.
Reflecting on the theme of the conference, which is "Weaving Our Experiences Together With The Children To Sustain Peace And Development", Fr. Calvo urged the community leaders to weave the richness of Mindanao's varied religious and indigenous traditions into a colorful, inclusive fabric of social and economic solidarity. He said Mindanao's children, a favorite concern of World Vision, not only provide opportunities for local civil societies to serve but that children be made integral partners of a peace-in-progress. ( PAZ Press Release)
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