Australian Embassy, OPAPP launch book on Mindanao peace process

From the Philippine News Agency (Jul 19): Australian Embassy, OPAPP launch book on Mindanao peace process

The Australian Embassy, together with the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP) on Tuesday launched a book entitled “Mindanao: The Long Journey to Peace and Prosperity” at Discovery Primea in Makati City.

In her message, Australian Ambassador Amanda Gorely said that Australia’s steadfast support to the peace process in conflict-hit Mindanao since 1996 has been one of the highlights of its longstanding ties with the Philippines.

”As a partner of change, Australia has been supporting peace and investing in development in Mindanao. Our support to the peace process is a significant aspect of our 70-year partnership with the Philippines,” Gorely said.

Book editor Dr. Paul Hutchcroft explained that the book emerged from an Australian National University (ANU) project supported by Australian aid and serves as a testament to the deep and extensive bilateral linkages between Australia and the Philippines.

”As the peace process moves into a new phase with new approaches, this volume will be an important foundational resource in the ongoing quest for peace and prosperity in Mindanao,” said Hutchcroft, who is also professor in the ANU’s Coral Bell School of Asia Pacific Affairs.

Also present at the event were leading personalities in the peace process: Jesus Dureza, OPAPP Secretary; Diosita Andot, OPAPP Undersecretary; Professor Miriam Colonel-Ferrer, former chief GPH peace negotiator; Chair Mohagher Iqbal, chief MILF peace negotiator; and Amina Rasul, President of the Philippine Center for Islam and Democracy.

”This compendium of essays could not have come at a more appropriate time. The administration of President Rodrigo R. Duterte will certainly benefit from the analysis of the experts who have contributed to this volume,” said Rasul.

For his part, The Asia Foundation country representative Dr. Steven Rood believes that the book will be a great addition to understanding the recent dynamics of the peace process complemented with the underlying historical, political, and economic context of a four-decade long conflict.

The Australian government has invested almost 150 million Australian dollars in peace and development in Mindanao, where Australia has been providing support to education, economic development, disaster risk reduction and the peace process since 1996.

”We will continue to support President Duterte’s government as it advances the peace agenda. Our commitment to the people of the southern Philippines in their journey to peace and prosperity is steadfast,” Ambassador Gorely said.

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