Pasig City, September 18, 2023 - In a significant step towards bolstering engagement in the Bangsamoro region, members of the Association of Foundations, Phils. Inc. (AF), and the Principles for Peace (P4P) Foundation met to explore ways of bringing the AF's programs and advocacies in support of the Bangsamoro peace process.
The P4P Foundation is the custodian and guardian of the Principles for Peace and the Peacemaking Covenant which were launched globally in Geneva, Switzerland last January 2023. The P4P Southeast Asia Launch was later held in Davao City last July 11, 2023 jointly organized by the Geneva-based P4P Foundation, the International Center for Innovation, Transformation and Excellence in Governance Inc. (INCITEGov), Gaston Z. Ortigas Peace Institute (GZO), and Global Partnership for the Prevention of Armed Conflict (GPPAC) and its regional secretariat, Initiatives for International Dialogue (IID).
Fifteen (15) AF member-associations attended the Sept. 18 meeting hosted by Gisela Tiongson of the Jollibee Group Foundation. P4P Foundation's member of the Governing Board Teresita Quintos Deles and INCITEGov trustee Luisito Montalbo gave briefings on the peace and development imperatives in the Bangsamoro, the P4P, and the shifts in peacemaking necessary for a more durable peace in the region.
The AF represents a diverse range of philanthropic institutions committed to social and community development. Some member-associations already have projects in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) while others expressed interest to contribute to peacebuilding initiatives in the region.
At the heart of the discussion are the eight (8) principles for peace and the four (4) shifts in peacemaking that AF can use as a framework for action in the region. The eight principles are 1) Dignity; 2) Solidarity; 3) Humility; 4) Embracing Hybrid and Integrated Solutions; 5) Adopting Subsidiarity; 6) Promoting Pluralism; 7) Enhancing Legitimacy; and 8) Accountable Security. The four shifts, meanwhile, relate to 1) how peacemaking is conceived; 2) how peacemakers work together; 3) how peacemaking is implemented; and 4) how social groups interact.
During the meeting, the participants discussed possible ways forward, including:
Community Building: Conducting dialogues between and among members of AF and other civil society organizations to further discuss ways of engaging using the P4P framework;
- Learning opportunities: Exploring learning opportunities with the BARMM regional and local government units to build trust and cooperation in line with AF programs and advocacies; and
- Development partnerships: Completing existing BARMM projects of AF member-associations and exploring other initiatives to boost economic stability in the region.
Representatives from AF expressed their optimism that the potential engagements in BARMM can drive positive change in the region. They acknowledged that working closely with local communities and Bangsamoro authorities are key to ensuring ownership of any new initiative or service that may be brought to the region.
AF member-organizations who attended the meeting include Angat Pinas, Inc., Ayala Foundation, Coca-Cola Philippines Foundation, Conrado and Ladislawa Alcantara Foundation, Community and Family Services International, Forest Foundation Philippines, Foundation for a Sustainable Society, Inc., Galing Pook Foundation, League of Corporate Foundations, Mahintana Foundation, Seaoil Foundation, Uygongco Foundation, Xavier Science Foundation, and the Zuellig Family Foundation. ###
About Principles for Peace Foundation
The Principles for Peace (P4P) Foundation is the custodian and curator of the Principles for Peace, a global participatory initiative that has been set up to develop new principles, standards and norms that will fundamentally reshape peace processes and chart a path to lasting peace. It oversees the implementation of the principles and acts as a global peace monitor to enhance the quality and effectiveness of peace making. The Foundation is based in Geneva, Switzerland. In the Philippines, P4P Foundation is supported by a core team of civil society organizations composed of the International Center for Innovation, Transformation and Excellence in Governance (INCITEGov), the Initiatives for International Dialogue (IID), and the Gaston Z. Ortigas Peace Institute (GZO).
About IID
The Initiatives for International Dialogue (IID) is a Philippines-based advocacy institution promoting human security, democratization and people-to-people solidarity. IID conducts policy advocacy and campaign programs on Burma, Mindanao, Southern Thailand, West Papua, and East Timor.
About GZO
The Gaston Z. Ortigas Peace Institute (GZO) commits to provide, nurture and shelter citizens' peace constituencies in the search for, creation of, and insistence on the peaceful settlement and transformation of conflicts. It seeks to institutionalize the work of peacekeeping and peacebuilding, thus placing it within the mainstream of the efforts for social justice and development in the Philippines.