IFSP to celebrate Mindanao Week of Peace

From the Philippine Information Agency (Nov 21): IFSP to celebrate Mindanao Week of Peace

The Interfaith Forum for Solidarity and Peace (IFSP) will join the entire Mindanao in celebration of the Mindanao Week of Peace (MWOP) on November 23-December 7 with the theme, “Respecting and Protecting Life: A celebration of the Filipino Spirit.”

The Mindanao Week of Peace is celebrated annually in the island of Mindanao and intends to promote the culture of peace as an authentic experience and a way of life. Presidential Proclamation No. 127 series of 2001 signed by then President Gloria Arroyo declares the last Thursday of November up to the first Wednesday of December and every year thereafter as the Mindanao Week of Peace.

Most Rev. Emmanuel T. Cabajar said the celebration aims to strengthen the awareness of civil society, the youth sector and government agencies on the advocacies and efforts towards peace. “It also deepens awareness of peace-building as essential for the respect and protection of life,” he added.

For several years now, Bishop Cabajar said the celebration has been spearheaded by the IFSP, a faith-based organization in Pagadian City in partnership with several non-government organizations and government agencies.

He said the IFSP has lined up several activities for the celebration, to wit: Nov. 23 – Press conference at Camp Abelon, Pagadian City and candle lighting for the 7th anniversary of the Maguindanao massacre in front of City Hall; Nov. 24- tree planning activity at New ESWM-Eco Park, barangay Buenavista; Nov. 25- Day of prayer; Nov. 27 – Peace forum: roadmap to peace at KC Function Hall, Sto. Niño Cathedral; Nov. 28 – Environmental Forum with the Social Action Center; Nov. 29 – Forum on Coal with Philippine Movement on Climate Justice; Nov. 30- Women’s Peace Forum with Interfaith Women’s Group; Dec. 4- Interfaith visual arts with Bishop  Cabajar; Dec. 7 – Youth forum on anti-drugs and Dec. 10 – Universal declaration on Human Rights and culmination of the MWOP at YDC gym, Pagadian City.

Cabajar said the yearly MWOP celebration carries the hopes and aspirations of Midanaoans in the belief that achieving peace is tantamount to achieving progress and sustainable development in this particular region of the Philippines.

http://news.pia.gov.ph/article/view/1371479705081/ifsp-to-celebrate-mindanao-week-of-peace-