As we reflect on our grassroots advocacy, we are continually reminded of a profound truth that guides our journey: when there is harmony with Creation, there is peace. True peace is a tapestry woven from right relationships—with the land, with the ecosystem, and with one another. It is the perfect moment to officially welcome our newest intern and ministry companion, Neil Kauffman, who has traveled from Leamington, Canada, to walk with us. Neil has stepped courageously out of his comfort zone to immerse himself in a vibrant cultural landscape, climate, and context vastly different from the one he is most accustomed to. He will be staying with us here in the Philippines for the next six months, serving in a vital capacity as our Field Coordinator for Sustainable Peace.
From his very first steps with us, Neil’s presence has beautifully echoed the core values we hold dear. He steps into a circle that actively welcomes new faces, engaging with diverse Indigenous Cultural Communities (ICCs), Indigenous Peoples (IPs), and people of various faith alignments. In our shared journey, our purpose is never to proselytize, but to collaboratively face deeply complicated realities in creative, transformative, and sometimes challenging ways.
Aligning Values: A Vision for Just Peace
Neil brings a profound, deeply reflective understanding of peace to this companionship, viewing broad, systemic topics as fundamentally relational. His perspective breathes life into the very heart of our Peace and Reconciliation (PAR) principles:
- Restorative Justice & Equity: He places a high value on the restorative dimensions of justice, seeking “right relations” rather than punitive measures. His understanding of conventional systems fuels his conviction that true equity is vital for any lasting, meaningful justice.
- Patience in the Process: He understands that building sustainable peace requires immense patience. In moments of tension, Neil wisely recognizes that fast-paced confrontations often make people defensive, choosing instead the steady, deliberate pace of deep listening.
- Positive Peace & Non-Violence: For Neil, peace goes far beyond “negative peace” (the mere absence of active warfare). He is driven by “positive peace”—the cultivation of equity-minded processes. As a dedicated pacifist, his commitment to non-violence is total, refusing violent state alternatives while mindfully resisting the oppressive social structures we find ourselves a part of.
Action on the Ground: Coffee, Climate, and Community Peace
In the coming weeks, Neil will immediately put his interdisciplinary toolkit into action on the field, where he will be closely mentored by Datu Pugawang (also known as Lakan or Pastor Dann Pantoja). Working directly alongside Bagobo Tagabawa youth, university students, and incoming Coffee For Peace OJT interns, he will be actively involved in focused research and field initiatives exploring the environmental impact of coffee farms, as well as the dynamics of migration within the ancestral domain.
This critical project bridges ecological stewardship with structural peacebuilding. Neil and the students will focus heavily on documenting and integrating Indigenous Knowledge Systems and Practices (IKSP). By honoring the wisdom of the land’s original caretakers and analyzing how sustainable coffee production preserves the delicate balance of our ecosystems, they will demonstrate how agricultural harmony directly cultivates regional harmony and prevents resource-based conflict.
Embracing a New Landscape with a Versatile Toolkit
Whether analyzing environmental concepts through systems thinking and ecology, or engaging in academic research, Neil bridges theory and action beautifully. His unique mix of skills stretching from conflict resolution frameworks and advanced problem-solving skills to practical mathematics, chemistry, and even amateur radio certifications makes him an incredibly versatile asset for the unpredictable, beautiful realities of field operations.
As Neil settles into this six-month journey, he is not merely filling a role; he is contributing his unique values to a living, regenerative ecosystem. He is helping us demonstrate to the world that when we walk gently upon the Earth and protect the gifts of the Creator, we build a foundation for lasting, positive peace.
We are honored to journey, learn, and grow alongside him. Let us cultivate a shared future together!
