MARAWI CITY, Lanao del Sur (PIA)--The Mindanao State University (MSU) Marawi campus through its Institute for Peace and Development in Mindanao (IPDM) is holding a series of activities to mark the Mindanao Week of Peace (MWOP) this year.
With the theme “MSU as a National Peace University: Preserving Mindanao History as Path to Peace and Development," the commemoration started Thursday, November 24, with an opening program, releasing of peace doves, and provision of free legal consultation and notarial services.
A tree planting activity kicked off the Youth Peace Day on November 25 followed by various events where young people were given the opportunity to write an essay and make posters and digital art that show peace in Mindanao and the entire Philippines.
IPDM Executive Director Dr. Acram Latiph said they also invited out-of-school youth in rural areas for the workshop on preventing and countering violent extremism slated November 26 and December 3 wherein they would be trained on how to avoid violent extremism and how to be peaceful builders in their respective communities.
The IPDM is also spearheading on November 28 a blood-letting activity and issuance of tribal membership certificates in partnership with Amai Pakpak Medical Center and the National Commission on Muslim Filipinos, respectively. Other activities set for the same day are agricultural, ceramics and FabLab products display as well as health check-ups.
Moreover, a seminar on peace and development is scheduled on November 30.
Acknowledging that a stable livelihood can also contribute to achieving lasting peace, a Peace Bazaar was organized to help internally displaced persons to showcase and sell their products. The bazaar will run from December 4 to December 12.
"What we are doing now is very holistic and community-wide, engaging everyone to participate," said Latiph.
The observance of MWOP is in line with Presidential Proclamation 127, series of 2001, issued by then President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, reiterating the declaration of the Mindanao Week of Peace as the last Thursday of November up to the first Wednesday of December. (APB/PIA-10 Lanao del Sur)
