BY ASANGAN T. MADALE
The STATE-RUN Mindanao State University System, led by President Atty Basari D. Mapupuno has shown its support to the “Principles for Peace Southeast Asia” launching on Tuesday, July 11, 2023 at the Waterfront Hotel in Davao City.
During the launching of the PPSA, Mapupuno in his message to the participants said, “A few days ago, yours truly signed a historic Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) between the Mindanao State University System and the Office of the Presidential Adviser for Peace, Reconciliation, and Unity or the implementation of Transformation Program for the Moro National Liberation Front. To my knowledge, this is one of those innovative ways to engage various stakeholders to collaborate in strengthening the Bangsamoro Peace Process, where the University was also tasked to help in the decommissioning of combatants of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front enhancing the normalization process, Top IPDM Officials said.”
Mapupuno said during my incumbency as President of MSU System, these are examples of many peace endeavors we will pursue to aspire to become the National Peace University in the Philippines. “In our master plan program we have included that the academic community can play a crucial role in promoting peace in the Bangsamoro region With our emphasis on education, research, policy crafting and knowledge dissemination. We have the potential to contribute significantly to the Bangsamoro Peace Process under the administration of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos,” he said.
He said that in order to realize these endeavors, “we will provide a platform for fostering understanding and dialogue among diverse groups. By bringing together students and faculty from different ethnic, religious, and cultural backgrounds, these institutions promote inclusivity and mutual respect. and also can contribute to peace in the Bangsamoro region through research , conflict studies and intellectual contributions.”
“Our faculty and researchers can focus their efforts in studying the root causes of conflicts, the dynamics of the peace process, and develop sustainable solutions, which can inform policy-making processes and provide evidence-based strategies for conflict resolution, social cohesion, socio economic development, and growth,” The MSU president added.
“We are one with the Principles for Peace, we in the academic community believe that there could be no lasting peace without dignity, solidarity, and humility. Building trust and respect among all stakeholders is one of our strong points. On enhancing legitimacy and accountable security, we can also play a role through inclusive dialogue, community engagement, and mediation.”
The MSU System has organized numerous peace conferences, seminars, and workshops that provide spaces for open discussions, exchange of ideas, and the exploration of peaceful solutions. We can also host mediation programs and facilitate dialogues between conflicting parties, fostering understanding, empathy, and reconciliation.
When students arrive at our university fresh and raw, we teach them how the world works and what they do to make the world a better place. In a few years, they exit the university as doctors, engineers, nurses, lawyers, and professionals ready to contribute to nation building and become productive members of society. Our mandatory Peace Education program made them advocates of peace and contributors to the Bangsamoro Peace Process, Mapupuno stressed.
“What arrives in the MSU System, we leverage and revitalize. Thus, we call upon my fellow peacebuilders and advocates that the MSU System is here to serve and contribute to the Bangsamoro Peace Process.
We hope that the launching of the Principles of Peace Southeast Asia will serve as the beginning of meaningful engagement and collaboration for the success of the Bangsamoro Peace Process.
“Because in the final analysis we, who live and work in the Region are the most affected by conflicts and it is of vital importance to us that the Bangsamoro Peace Process succeed to foster political stability, socio economic development, and achieve national unity and reconciliation. And offers a pathway towards a peaceful and prosperous future for the Bangsamoro region and the Philippines as a whole. Mapupuno added.
The source of our relentless and ardent pursuit for lasting peace in the Bangsamoro is borne by the fact that we are the one suffering most as exemplified by the Marawi Siege.
“One day when our time has come, we can say to the future generations…“Child, we leave you a society, more peaceful and prosperous than it was left to us.” Truly such a legacy is worth aspiring to. Thank you very much and may peace be upon us all,” Mapupuno concluded. ###
