With the signing of the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro, and the impending passage of the Bangsamoro Basic Law, it is now more crucial than ever to push for initiatives which will pave the way for a sustainable peace in Mindanao. Given the signs of the times, Al Qalam Institute of Islamic Identity and Interreligious Dialogue in Southeast Asia, located in the Ateneo de Davao University, recognized this need, and to this end, held the ARMM Minorities Trainer’s Training on Intrafaith and Interfaith Dialogue from February 3-5, 2014 at Beachside Inn, Bongao, Tawi-tawi.
About fifty (50) participants joined the trainers’ training. Participants were trained and equipped with facilitative skills, as well as armed with new knowledge in approaches to conflict transformation and resolution, community- and peacebuilding.
Key results of the training include: equipping of participants with knowledge of the history and situation of Mindanao and its diverse peoples; informing participants of the political and socio-economic realities of present-day Philippines, especially in Mindanao, as well as updates on the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro and the Bangsamoro Basic Law; convergence and sharing of participants’ positive experiences and stories from their communities, culling lessons in peace building, community building, conflict resolution, and promotion of cultural sensitivity; transforming participants’ mindset and framework in conflict resolution and community building, from a deficit-based to an asset-based approach.; culling of knowledge and skills from the workshop; learning facilitative techniques which are essential in peacebuilding initiatives, intra- and interfaith dialogues, and community building; and the organization of participants to forge a lasting peace, a “unity in diversity.”
Funding from this activity came from the Strengthening Grassroots Interfaith Dialogue and Understanding (SGIDU) Program of the Australian Embassy.
