peace ,security,human rights tackled at peace forum

BY:  RIC CLET and MARIZ REVALES   ILIGAN CITY – Over 50 members of multi-sectoral groups in Lanao area participated in the forum on peace, security and human rights held December 7, 2010 at the Boys Scout Hall, UNITOP Building, Quezon Avenue, Iligan City.   With the theme: " Uniting for Peace, Security and Human Rights", the Forum on Peace, Security and Human Rights was sponsored by the Gender Equality Network for Peace (GEN4PEACE) in partnership with the Civil Society Organization Forum for Peace (CSO-FP), the Mindanao Commission on Women (MCW), the Lanao Alliance of Human Rights Advocates (LAHRA), and the Nonviolent Peaceforce.   "The forum is part of the  extended celebration of the 2010 MINDANAO WEEK OF PEACE,(November25- December 1) which had for its theme: Responsive and Responsible Governance: Keay to Peace, Developm ent and Sustainability" and led into the Human Rights Day celebrations on December 10,2010. It has been organized in line with the United Nations Security Council Resolution No.1889, adopted on October 5,2009. It  focused on the involvement of women during the post conflict and reconstruction period and stressed the increasing importance  of women among peace –building and peacekeeping personnel",  said Janina G. Bernardo, president of CSO-FP,Inc.   Inputs a Peace Situationer in Mindanao was discussed by CSO-FP Managing Director Jun Enriquez, who is fresh from a study tour in Canada. He  briefed  the participants on CSO-FP, peace talks and history of the Mindanao conflict.   LAHRA's Janel Pesons gave updates on the Ampatuan Massacre.  She said that President Benigno Simeon "Noynoy" C. Aquino III declared November 23, 2010 as a National Day of Remembrance.  She added that a monument was erected in the grave site where the names of the 57 fallen victims including 32 journalists were written. She said that the State of Emergency in Maguindanao will be lifted by December,  2010, that live media coverage of the Massacre case will not be allowed, that cash assistance of P50,000.00 each drawn from the Trust Fund set up by the Department of Justice and the Federation of Philippine Industries, Inc. Were given to the families of the victims, that families of the victims continue to morn their fallen family member, that different groups including Amnesty International (AI), Mindanao People's Movement, CHR, calls on government to ensure timely justice for the Ampatuan massacre victims and abolish the private armies, and that news articles and photo coverages on the Ampatuan Massacre can be viewed in the internet.   A participatory workshop using the Open Space Technology  enabled  participants  a wide-ranging discussion on how we may build unity for Peace, Security  and Human Rights and also what concrete actions we may be able to take as individuals, institutions and as  partners.   Several  issues were discussed in the forum which include Right to Self Determination, Federalizing the Philippines as the Answer to Self Determination and Lasting Peace, Women's Role for Peace in Mindanao, Conflict on Philippine Legal Peace Structure and Culturally Accepted Peace Structure, , Humans Rights and  Environment; Peace Group, Cause of Conflict in Mindanao, and Role of Media in Promoting Peace and Development.   City Councilor Marlene Young, chair of the Committee on Civil, Political, Human Rights and Responsibility, gave a message encouraging the participation of women in the promotion of peace and development in Mindanao communities.  CSO-FP President Jane Bernardo gave the welcome address and rationale of the forum. Mariam Barandia of GEN4PEACE and Kapamagogopa, Inc. and Alma Maranda of BERTHDEV served as facilitators of the workshop.   The participants which included representatives from the military, police, civil society and civic oriented  organizations contributed their insights and ideas on how we can unify for peace, security and human rights. Also present during the affair were City Councilor  Ariel Anghay, scout executive, Boys Scout Council, Iligan City, City Councilor Michelle Sweet and Commissioner Anita Sescon of the Mindanao Commission on Women.   The organizer can be contacted through Tel. No: (063) 221-3768 and its email address: kalinawsalanao@yahoo.com.ph    The schedule of the program are as follows: 8.30am - 9.00am:        Registration   9.00am - 9.30am:        Interfaith Invocation Pambansang Awit Welcome/Rationale: Ms. Janina Bernardo, (GEN4PEACE, CSO-FP) Message: Hon. Atty. Marlene Young, City Councilor, Iligan City (SP Chair on Civil, Political, Human Rights and Responsibility)   Inputs on Peace and Human Rights 9.30am - 9.50am:        Input 1: Mindanao Peace Situationer Mr. Juanito C. Enriquez, Jr. (CSO-FP, Inc.)   9.50am - 10.10am:      Input 2: Ampatuan Massacre & Amnesty International Video Ms. Janel Pesons (LAHRA, Inc.)   Open Space on Uniting for Peace, Security and Human Rights Facilitator:                   Mariam Barandia (GEN4PEACE, Kapamagogopa, Inc.) Co-Facilitator:             Alma Maranda (BIRTH-DEV,MSU-IIT)   10.10am - 10.30am: ` Introduction & Opening the Circle    Open Space Theme: "Uniting for Peace, Security & Human Rights"   Open Space 1 Question: How can we unite to work for Peace and be able to build and strengthen structures for upholding human rights?"   10.30am -10.45am:     Open Space 1- Agenda Setting 10.45am -11.30am:     Open Space 1 - Session of Breakout Groups 11.30am - 12.15pm:    Open Space 1 - Sharing from Groups   Open Space 2 Question: What are the concrete actions we can take as individuals, as institutions and as partners (including steps, timeline and scope)?   12.15pm -12.30pm:     Open Space 2 - Agenda Setting 12.30pm - 1.15pm:      Open Space 2 - Session of Breakout Groups 1.15pm - 2.00pm:        Open Space 2 - Sharing from Groups   2.00pm - 2.15pm:        Closing the Circle 2.15pm – 2.30pm:       Concluding remarks & Close   * Program Host on behalf of GEN4PEACE: Ms. Anita T. Sescon, Commissioner, MCW