ALREADY a producer of over 2,000 peacebuilders from around the world in two decades, the Mindanao Peacebuilding Institute (MPI) is not about to rest on its laurels.
In fact, the MPI has put out words that it is again ready to accept trainees for its 20th year as a training institute, creating “a space where peacebuilders meet in mind, heart, and spirit” as they keep in step with the ever-present challenges of peace and justice.
The MPI 2019 Annual Peacebuilding Training will be held from May 13 to May 31 at Megrande Ocean Resort, Davao City.
In an email to SDN — Science and Digital News, sent by MPI Director Christine Vertucci, she the “three-week intensive peacebuilding training continues to bring together a wide range of people with experience, knowledge and skills in peace-related work so they can share and learn in a safe environment where all viewpoints are encouraged and respect.”
She recalled that MPI was established in the year 2000 and has since then graduated more than 2,000 peacebuilders from its training courses.
The peacebuilders came from over 50 countries across the world who immersed themselves in areas such as conflict transformation, conflict analysis, peace education, religious peacebuilding, and trauma healing.
Image: from MPI.
A distinguished roster of facilitators from the Asia-Pacific region and other parts of the world taught the various subject areas.
Vertucci said:
“In line with this, we….are now officially accepting applications for the 20th Annual Peacebuilding Training!”
For next year’s offerings include two new courses, she added, such as the Introduction to Monitoring and Evaluation for Peacebuilding Practitioners in Week 2 and Indigenous People’s Culture-Based Conflict Resolution Practices: Its Potential Contribution to Mainstream Peacebuilding in the Philippines (Field-Based Course) in Week 3.
She said interested applicants may avail themselves of direct online registration through its website at https://www.mpiasia.net/mpi2019.
Images: from MPI.
What some peacebuilders are saying:
Jiro Okada, former protection officer, Nonviolent Peaceforce — South Sudan; researcher; 2018 participant, Japan
“MPI helped me regain my identity as a peacebuilder — by truly embracing me, valuing me, and encouraging me. The entire MPI community re-generated my confidence to become a peacebuilder once again. Now, the professional and personal growth I gained together with the MPI community is motivating me to the next way I can be of service to humanity.”
Phebe George, assistant professor, Madras Christian College (Autonomous) 2017 participant) India
“MPI 2017 has transformed my life. It was as though I had been through a healing process and found that which I was seeking inner peace. Thank you for creating a sacred and safe place for learning and sharing our experiences.”
Joseph Howard, executive director, Center for Justice and Peace Studies, 2015 participant, Monrovia, Liberia.
“I am grateful to MPI for inspiring me in my career as a peace and development worker. The training increased my knowledge and experiences in doing peace work in diversified cultural, religious and ethnic settings. To be a a true peace worker, go MPI!”
MPI is an Asian training institute grounded in Mindanao, Southern Philippines; it is also a resource for peacebuilders: providing skills, conducting research and building solidarity within the Asia-Pacific Region, Vertucci said.
Local and international organizations helped in its establishment and has since been bringing together peacebuilders of diverse of cultures for its peacebuilding training being held every year.
“Aside from gaining new practical skills, many participants ascribe equal value to the bonding, friendships, and solidarity that are created among peace advocates from these countries. Indeed, MPI has become a venue where participants strengthen their commitment to peacebuilding through continuing association with peer associations,” Vertucci said. (EKU)