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Philippines: Volunteers of Peace and Development Shared Best Practices
an article by Dasuy
Volunteers from various sectors and individuals gathered at NDDU Auditorium on June 20, 2012 to share their best practices on volunteerism for peace and development. “Propagation of a culture of peace (COP) is everyone’s shared responsibilities”, says Ms. Lambac of Kalinaw Sarangani. A home grown module includes deeper understanding of history, self transformation, conflict resolutions, etc.
click on photo to enlarge
Col. Espuelas of 73rd IB found COP trainings helpful in helping solve the complex problem of insurgency (which is usually rooted to socio economic problems) in Mindanao. This transformed their soldiers as peace advocates, transforming the camp to a “Peace Camp” and engaged in various voluntary works from donating blood to helping in emergency reliefs, medical missions and construction of infrastructures.
Dr. Cagape had been advocating the right nutrition for the children in his various feeding programs in the far flung area of SOCSARGEN. Feeding the children will always be the priority activity in his volunteerism, working side by side with his medical mission and some livelihood programs.
Other best practices include propagation of “Kasfala” and Barangay Justice Advocates for restorative justice, Tindahan sa Kalinaw, Child Friendly Activities, Interfaith/Intercultural faith dialogues, gardening, bridging the gaps of MILF combatants to a multi-donor agencies,
To be a volunteer, you have to the 4Ps: – Be programmatic, Be professional, Be patient, Be a peace advocate as shared by Mussolini Sinsuat Lidasan of Life of a UNV in Peace Development.
Ernesto Casiple shared that best volunteer must be S.T.R.O.N.G. Being (S)teadfast, (T)rustworthy, (R)eliable, (O)ptomistic, (N)oble, and (G)otchy.
An NDDU student volunteer shared his best practices as a volunteer:
1. Time management. Balancing studies and volunteering activities
2. Creative and being simple as funds on activities are limited
3. “Food on the Table” – even simple food bring volunteers together across cultures
4. Having passion and commitment
5. Smile
A workshop was conducted to make resolutions: “Future we want as volunteers for peace and development”. Some of the output is provided in the discussion of this article (see below):
Mayor Darlene Antonito of General Santos City shared her hope that peace is still achievable in Mindanao through respect and giving importance to each other, putting important value on peace, knowing that everyone has a vital role to make things better and working for peace passionately.
Notre Dame of Marbel University and NDDU Peace Center hosted the workshop. Ms. Princess Fernandez was the master of ceremony.
Abe Akiko of United Nations Volunteers (UNV) spearheaded the event which ended in the signing of resolutions for the future the volunteers want for peace and development and will be sent to an on-going conference at Rio+ 20 in Brazil.
(This article is continued in the discussionboard)
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(The following is continued from the main article listed above.)
A workshop was conducted to make resolutions: “Future we want as volunteers for peace and development”. Below were some output:
1. Making community productive
2. Shaping a strong family foundation
3. Developing culture of peace through sports – football
4. Education and resource utilization and livelihood program for remote communibities
5. Promote good governance – accountable, responsive, transparent
6. Preservation of natural resources, responsible waste management
No religious discrimination
8. . ...more.
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