15
Jan

Promoting MSU as a National Peace University: A Call to Action

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MSU Main Campus - Marawi City > 16-Peace, Justice & Strong Institutions (SDG Goals) > Promoting MSU as a National Peace University: A Call to Action

Aliah P. Cali-Pascan, J.D., DPA

Marawi City, Philippines – Following a comprehensive strategic planning process, Institute for Peace and Development in Mindanao (IPDM), Mindanao State University (MSU) Marawi City has identified a crucial need: to actively promote itself as a leading institution in peace education and research nationwide. This designation, “National Peace University,” reflects the university’s long-standing commitment to fostering peace and development in Mindanao and the Philippines.

One key strategy in this endeavor is the establishment of a dedicated radio program hosted by the Peace Action Officer, Aliah P. Cali-Pascan, DPA and the Associate Peace Action Officer Prof. Khayronesah Abbas, Ph.D in partnership with Radyo Pilipinas Marawi focused on peace and development initiatives. This program, launched during the annual University Peace Day celebration on August 25th, aims to:

* Disseminate knowledge: Share research findings, best practices, and innovative approaches to peacebuilding and conflict resolution.

* Raise awareness: Educate the public on critical peace issues facing the nation, such as interfaith dialogue, human rights, and social justice.

* Amplify voices: Provide a platform for diverse voices and perspectives on peacebuilding, including community leaders, government officials, and civil society organizations.

* Promote MSU’s expertise: Showcase MSU’s contributions to peace research, education, and community engagement.

The radio program dubbed as Shuara MSU in accordance with Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) has already made significant strides, having produced 13 episodes in 2024. On January 3, 2025, it marked the first episode of the new year, featuring a distinguished guest: Sittie Rahana Jhan Ganda, Chief of Peacebuilding and Conflict Resolution of National Commission on Muslim Filipinos. This episode will delve into critical aspects of peacebuilding in Mindanao and explore how MSU with NCMF partnerships can further contribute to a more peaceful and just society.

The success of this radio program is crucial to achieving MSU’s overarching goal of becoming a recognized National Peace University. By consistently producing high-quality content and engaging with a wider audience, the university can effectively communicate its commitment to peace and demonstrate its unique position as a leader in this field.

Moving forward, MSU must continue to invest in this initiative, ensuring the program’s sustainability and expanding its reach. This may involve exploring partnerships with local radio stations, utilizing digital platforms to increase accessibility, and potentially developing a podcast version of the program.

The journey towards becoming a National Peace University requires sustained effort and a multi-pronged approach. By leveraging the power of media, particularly through the dedicated radio program, MSU can effectively communicate its vision, engage with the public, and solidify its position as a leading institution in peace education and research in the Philippines.

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.

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