Week of Peace

The Mindanao Week of Peace is a comprehensive promotional activity that involves various GOs, NGOs, and PO’s in advocating the culture of peace in the Southern Philippines. It is a celebration of peace which was initiated in Zamboanga City by Peace Advocates Zamboanga Foundation, Inc. (PAZ) and SALAM Foundation in 1997. It has snowballed into a Mindanao-wide event as adopted by the Bishops-Ulama Conference and perpetuated as an annual observance through Presidential Proclamation 127, S. 2001.

OUR VISION:

Citizens are. . .

  • aware of their events in their environment and are able to analyze the implications and effects of these events to peace in our region and country today; and
  • empowered in a shared perspective and commitment to harness our native traditions and best resources for a non-violent world. 
    • Schools at all levels engaging their students, teachers, staff, and leaders in the creation of caring and compassionate learning areas and peaceful work places;
    • Local governments units, line agencies and communities that involve their constituents in participating in local development decisions and in providing for various community needs;
    • Private entities and civil society working through dynamic networks that match government efforts in actively addressing our peace and development concerns;
    • Religious leaders and workers who are able to help inspire our people toward greater wisdom and courage in recognizing, realizing, and advocating God’s gift of peace amidst violence in our land

WHAT WE CAN DO:

  • Peace walks and rallies;
  • Peace vigils of silence and prayers for peace in our ourselves, our families, or community
  • Prayers for spiritual neighbors as groups are gathered.
  • offer words of respect and honor specially for those of other faith community;
  • send greetings and blessing to our spiritual neighbors;
  • Peace in music and art for various age groups
  • Composition and performance of peace song, concerts,
  • Literature (poetry,etc.) and-visual arts (paintings, poster, sculptures, mixed media, etc.)
  • “Sport for peace” tournaments within and among school/communities,
  • Cooperative local interaction peace-related themes:
  • Interfaith seminars/dialogues/discussions on the peace and reconciliation teachings of your traditions;
  • Inter-group rites in celebration of peace/healing reconciliation;
  • Media Initiatives: — Write to local papers, community newsletters — Radio and TV programs on peace-related issues in the locality and in Mindanao ;
  • Ceremonies to acknowledge the work, dedication and commitment of local peace heroes;
  • Call political leaders (send letters, signed petitions, etc.) to commit to a just and lasting peace in Mindanao ;
  • “EnGENDERing peace”; campaigns against domestic violence, violence against women and children;
  • Child/Youth peace Camps, peace assemblies
  • Peace trees, caring for the environment;
  • Trainings on conflict resolution and management for private groups, government offices;
  • Solidarity with victims of violence and war; displaced persons, evacuees, prisoners, hospital patients, orphans, rehabilitation centers (visitations, prayers, entertainment, cash, food/non-food items, etc.);
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