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Mar

Marawi Peace Forum Tackles Elections and Poverty: Seeking Solutions for a Brighter Future

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MSU Main Campus - Marawi City > 1-No Poverty (SDG Goals) > Marawi Peace Forum Tackles Elections and Poverty: Seeking Solutions for a Brighter Future

Aliah P. Cali-Pascan, DPA, JD

Mindanao State University, Marawi City – In a significant step towards fostering peace and development, a “Peace Forum” was recently held in Marawi City, bringing together diverse voices to address critical issues impacting the region. The forum, organized by World Vision, focused on the complex relationship between elections and poverty, aiming to identify pathways towards a more equitable and prosperous future.

The event commenced with the arrival and registration of participants, followed by an opening prayer led by a respected religious leader, setting a tone of unity and shared purpose. Robert Basco, Project Manager for Peace Mindanao, laid the groundwork for the day’s discussions by outlining the rationale and objectives of the forum.

A key highlight of the event was the insightful presentation by Dr. Acram A. Latiph, Executive Director of the Institute for Peace and Development in Mindanao (IPDM) and Professor at Mindanao State University – Marawi Campus. Dr. Latiph’s input, titled “How Does Election Contribute to the Poverty Trap?”, explored the intricate links between electoral processes and socioeconomic challenges, providing a crucial framework for the subsequent discussions.

The forum featured a dynamic “Panel of Reactors,” comprising representatives from various sectors of society. These included:

Women: Prof. Norkhaya Saruang Mohammad, Vice President of Al-Mujadilah Women Association, brought a vital perspective on the role of women in peacebuilding and development.

Youth: Jamerah M. Macapia, an ECAP Facilitator, highlighted the importance of youth engagement in shaping the region’s future.

Religious Leaders: Rev. Fr. Jom Baring and Aleem Saad Amate offered interfaith perspectives on peace and social justice.

IPDM: Prof. Raihan Yusoph, former Peace Education Officer, shared valuable expertise on peace education initiatives.

Ministry of Basic, Higher, and Technical Education (MBHTE): Dr. Mae Pamanay, MBHTE-Marawi City, addressed the crucial role of education in breaking the cycle of poverty.

Following the panel discussion, participants engaged in a “Breakout Session,” allowing for deeper exploration of the issues and the development of actionable solutions.

The outcomes of these sessions were then synthesized, providing a comprehensive overview of the forum’s key findings and recommendations.

The forum was expertly hosted by Prof. Almahdi “Aldean” Alonto, Peace Education Officer at MSU-IPDM, Marawi Campus, who skillfully moderated the discussions, ensuring a productive and inclusive dialogue.

The Peace Forum in Marawi City stands as a testament to the community’s commitment to addressing the root causes of poverty and conflict. By fostering open dialogue and collaboration among diverse stakeholders, the event aimed to pave the way for a more peaceful and prosperous Bangsamoro region. The insights gained and the connections forged during this forum are expected to contribute significantly to ongoing efforts towards sustainable development and lasting peace.

This event, organized by World Vision, with the support of the Institute for Peace and Development in Mindanao – Mindanao State University Marawi City, demonstrates the power of community driven initiatives in building a brighter future.

About the author

The institute for peace and development in Mindanao (IPDM) was created by the MSU Board of Regents during its 182nd Meeting on December 7, 2001. The institute assumed the functions of two defunct units: the Muslim Christian Center for Peace Studies and the Muslim Mindanao Development Institute. It is now the central coordinating unit for all existing peace and development programs of the campuses of the University. MSU was established on September 1, 1961 as one of the government responses to the so-called “Mindanao problem.” The problem includes a violent struggle of segments of the Filipino Muslim population to redress long-standing grievances and assert Muslim selfhood and identity in the face of real and imagined threats of cultural and spiritual assimilation by the majority Filipino Christian population. The University was mandated to accelerate the “integration” of the cultural communities in Mindanao into the mainstream body politic and to accelerate the development of its service areas through instruction, research, and extension. In the pursuit of these objectives, the University also seeks to infuse spiritual and moral values, national consciousness and solidarity, and mutual understanding among Filipinos, which are necessary for peaceful coexistence and sustainable development. IPDM was therefore, created with the expectation that it would contribute to the easing of tensions and the promotion of justice and peace between Filipino Muslims and Christian by expanding knowledge, improving understanding and heightening sensitivity in relations between the peoples of Mindanao in particular, and the Philippines in general.