PAZ, ZYPO hold peace advocacy programs in 3 Zambo schools
ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines/08 August 2009 by Aldrin Abdurahim and Michael Britanico–Peace Advocates Zamboanga (PAZ) in collaboration with the Zamboanga Youth for Peace Organization (ZYPO) of Zamboanga City High School Main conducted two peace advocacy programs recently at ZCHS-MAIN, Tetuan, Zamboanga City.
Two events were simultaneously held to instill in the minds and hearts of the students the culture of peace as against to the culture of violence.
The Culture of Peace (COP) Orientation to Student Leaders targeted the Supreme Student Government Officers and Peace Club officers, while the Visual Peace Arts Workshop (VPAW) highlighted the works of visual artists from three big schools, namely Talon-Talon National High School, Zamboanga State College of Marine Sciences and Technology-Laboratory High School, and Zamboanga City High School (Main Campus).
The COP and VPAW are part of PAZ’s annual activities in the school-based peace advocacy programs of the organization. It is also aimed at deepening the commitment of the student leaders to formulate initiatives and projects for the school and community that eventually manifests greater involvement towards peace-building. It is noted that ZCHS-MAIN and ZSCMST had recognized the most numbered Young Peace Weaver Awardees since 2001 that in one way or the other had shown excellence and true spirit of peace, service and volunteerism in their chosen field nowadays.
The peace advocacy programs reached the two other schools after ZYPO and SSG Officers of ZCHS-MAIN realized the importance of sharing the gifts of peace to neighboring schools in the city proper. Having joined in the fourth series of implementation, the group actively participated in the various workshops like adjective name, dot in the forehead, My Ideal Community, Critical Threats to Peace, Conflict and Sensitivity game to Six Paths to Peace in the Culture of Peace paradigm.
According to Katherine A. Tampon, ZYPO Adviser, “It is an opportunity for student leaders to understand fully the concept of peace so that change will be felt that can bring about development in the self, family, community and other parts of the world”.
The strong message gave motivation to all in sharing their experiences in the course of discussion and activities. Moreover, Helen Basira, ZCHS Student Facilitator and Philippine Youth Leadership Program (PYLP) delegate of Batch 6 to the United States of America shared the importance of communication and interethnic dialogue as important ingredients of peace.
“The importance of closely understanding the values and personality of an individual is what makes a person a peace weaver,” revealed Nurhida Asaali, Unity in Diversity President and PYLP Delegate of Batch 6 to USA from ZSCMST. Meanwhile, Shermaine Barba, SSG Secretary of Talon Talon National High School, disclosed that “we are very thankful of the opportunity of understanding what peace is and how it will change our lives. Indeed, peace is the only way.”
The VPAW cluster on the other hand, exercises their creativities in actualizing the use of brushes and paints to craft images of mandalas out of their imaginations and they vision peace as a reality. Head facilitator, Nelvert Anino, shared happiness in the advance talents and gifts of intelligence mixed with ambitions and hope for peace to the student artists who has great future in visual arts.
The student leaders will be joining the other four clusters in September and eventually onwards the Mindanao Week of Peace. Indeed, being a blessing to others, peace advocates will continue to inspire more young people in the culture of peace. (Aldrin Abdurahim and Michael Britanico)
