It proved that indeed, races and ethnic groups can transcend faith and culture to build bridges for peace.
Called Building Bridges: Interfaith and Peace Education among Women and Children in Mindanao, the project is a partnership of NatCom and Ateneo de Zamboanga to contribute to peace building and conflict prevention. It aims to eliminate religious and ethnic barriers, establish and build mutual understanding of the problems and needs of the opposing sides of the on-going conflict in Mindanao, develop common sentiments about the hardship and sufferings inflicted upon combatants’ families by war, and generate among them strong friendship and a powerful longing for peace.
Through the Center of Interfaith and Peace Education for Women and Children established through the project, a venue was provided for the psycho-emotional healing of participants who were enabled to share their feelings and pains. Also, they were able to develop a sense of community and trust with the assurance that there is someone who will listen to them. Participants saw that by developing a culture of peace, there are constructive approaches to resolve conflict without the use of violence.
For more details of this project, please click here. |
