Cagayan de Oro-Over 500 peace influencers all over the country gathered here last Thursday that culminates on Saturday (February 1) for a Peace Summit dubbed as: Our Mindanao Peace Summit 2020 with the theme, “Turning the Loop: Bridging Generations of Peace Influencers”.
The three-day summit was organized by Equal Access International Philippines (EAI-Ph) that offers an opportunity to discuss the role of collaboration, communication, and coordination to push for sustainable peace and co-create a shared vision of a better Mindanao.
Over 20 speakers across 8 summit events lead in discussions across 3 unifying themes: transforming violent extremism, youth empowerment, and positive alternative messaging,said EAI-Ph Country Director Salic Sharief Jr in an interview.
Also to discuss the impact of violent extremism in Mindanao and share working practices on how best to transform this growing concern, the summit will bring in key experts, development practitioners, and peace influencers through the Honest Conversation of peace forum and Messaging Hub Convergence,she added.
Also tapping into the creativity of young people to help provide solutions to concerns in their community, the summit also featured innovative peace projects from the inaugural batch of Peace Promotion Fellows; convene the "PNP-Student Action Force to create the first ever Mindanao-wide General Assembly"; and award the very first "Olive Peace Prize" to one outstanding program alumnus for their exemplary efforts in peace-building in the culminating day.
Moreover, recognizing the power of positive alternative messages to promote peace and development, the summit brings in 5 hard-skill experts in storytelling for the Master Classes; a Panel Discussion that brings forward innovative solutions to address challenges on youth, women, and good governance; and a series of Peace Contests for junior and senior high school students and the public where they produce essays, speeches, and music videos about peace.
The Summit 2020 will conclude with the reading of the manifesto created by peacebuilders and peace actors in the region to signify the Mindanao Declaration of Peace, Sharief concluded.
