Category: SOCIO-POLITICAL TRANSFORMATION
Stories and ideas about being in harmony and at peace with Others.
The West Philippine Sea, referred to by the People’s Republic of China (PRC) as the South China Sea, has become a focal point of geopolitical tensions, primarily between China and the Republic of the Philippines. This maritime dispute has wide-ranging implications for regional stability, international law, and the pursuit of economic interests. Locally, our fisherfolks are struggling as Chinese Coast Guard vessels prevent them from their basic livelihood. Nationally, this is a challenge to our sovereignty as a nation against a superpower. As the two nations grapple with conflicting territorial claims and overlapping interests, the world watches closely, concerned about the potential for escalation and the impact on global trade and security.
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Permanent link to this article: https://peacebuilderscommunity.org/2023/09/navigating-troubled-waters-philippine-china-dispute-on-west-philippine-sea/
In a world grappling with pressing environmental challenges and deep social divisions, we seek a dialogical harmonization between the worldview of PeaceBuilders Community, Inc. (PBCI) and the worldviews of various Indigenous People’s (IP) communities who welcomed us to journey with them. We seek to learn with them through equal partnership and mutual learning experiences. These learning processes reminds us that harmony is not an abstract dream but a tangible and achievable goal. It’s a call to action, beckoning Settlers and IPs to converge in fostering a more compassionate, sustainable, and harmonious local and global community. It’s a promise that by listening to the land and each other, we can find the path to a brighter, more harmonious future for all. Let us heed this call and embark on this transformative journey together.
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Permanent link to this article: https://peacebuilderscommunity.org/2023/09/harmonizing-pbcis-worldview-with-indigenous-peoples-sustainable-and-regenerative-way-of-life/
The Inclusive Development Team of PeaceBuilders Community, Inc. (PBCI) and Coffee for Peace (CFP) is exploring a partnership with People in Need (PIN) in doing peace and economic development initiatives in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM). The PBCI-CFP IncluDev Team is composed of community development and social entrepreneurial advocates and practitioners. They also provide training on peacebuilding and conflict resolution. “A partnership between PBCI-CFP IncluDev Team and PIN would be an energizing servant for good in BaSulTa,” says Joji Felicitas Pantoja, President and CEO of Coffee for Peace and a 2020 honoree of the Oslo-based Business for Peace Foundation. “The two organizations,” adds Ms Joji, “would be able to combine our expertise and resources to help the people create a more sustainable and peaceful future for their Island Provinces within the BARMM.”
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Permanent link to this article: https://peacebuilderscommunity.org/2023/08/pbci-cfp-includev-team-explores-partnership-with-p-i-n-in-coffee-social-enterprise-basilan-sulu-and-tawi-tawi/
Davao City, August 24, 2023 — The Kapehan Sa Davao Network (KSDN) hosted a seminar titled “Building Sustainable Peace and Gender Responsive Coffee Industry” at Sebastian’s Restaurant in Barangay Baganihan, Marilog, Davao City. The event witnessed the participation of 36 prequalified individuals hailing from the Matigsalog Indigenous People, including farming cooperative leaders, youth leaders, spiritual leaders, and tribal leaders. The central theme of the seminar was conflict transformation in the workplace, with a specific focus on coffee farms and companies.
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Permanent link to this article: https://peacebuilderscommunity.org/2023/08/matigsalog-ancestral-domain-seminar-promotes-sustainable-coffee-industry-and-peacebuilding/
PeaceBuilders School of Leadership, the multidisciplinary mentorship program of PeaceBuilders Community, Inc. (PBCI), has been successful in their leadership training initiatives. Many individuals who have gone through this program have witnessed positive transformations in their lives and have become influential peacebuilders in their communities. In light of this success, the Board of Trustees (BOT) of PBCI has decided to institutionalize the said leadership mentoring school by offering a Certificate Program on Inclusive Development (IncluDev). IncluDev aims to equip individuals and organizations with the necessary knowledge and skills to engage effectively in transformative social change.
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Permanent link to this article: https://peacebuilderscommunity.org/2023/07/includev-is-set-to-prepare-peace-and-reconciliation-leaders-of-the-21st-century/
The Principles for Peace (P4P) Southeast Asia launch took place on 11th July 2023 in Davao City, Philippines. Organized by the Principles for Peace Foundation in collaboration with the Global Partnership for the Prevention of Armed Conflict (GPPAC), Initiatives for International Dialogue (IID), International Center for Innovation, Transformation, and Excellence in Governance Inc. (INCITEGov), and GZO Peace Institute, the event aimed to redefine and rejuvenate support for the Bangsamoro Peace Process. Lakan, our PBCI President, co-led in the interfaith prayers. Joji, CEO of Coffee for Peace, was one of the speakers. The event became a festive reunion of most peacebuilding organizations and leaders in the Philippines and Southeast Asia.
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Permanent link to this article: https://peacebuilderscommunity.org/2023/07/we-participated-in-the-launching-of-principles-for-peace-in-southeast-asia/
Last 06-07 July 2023, the Kapehan Sa Davao Network launched the Social Impact Business Incubation Program (SIBIP) for eight coffee enterprises in Region 11. It was held at Coffee For Peace Café in Davao City. I’m so inspired by the enthusiastic participation of Kape Ora, Kepeweñoz Specialty Coffee, Peding’s Café, Kape Maddiger, Gré Coffee, Tres Rosas Coffee Farm, Tribung Kape, and Kapeyapaan Farmers’ Association. These Incubation Sessions were facilitated by Upgrade Innolab Inc. This program is funded by Asian Development Bank’s SUNPh Program, to whom I and the whole Kapehan Sa Davao Network are grateful. I look forward to seeing the positive impact that the SIBIP will have on the coffee industry in the provinces of the Greater Davao Region.
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Permanent link to this article: https://peacebuilderscommunity.org/2023/07/im-happy-to-see-the-launching-of-kapehan-sa-davao-networks-incubation-program/
Joseph “Ka Boyet” Ongkiko started his field work in his new capacity as PBCI Executive Vice President for Institutional & Program Development. This position involves developing and sustaining the organizational structure and expanding the stakeholder base of PBCI. He is now beginning to seek partnerships with other organizations, and keeping abreast of the latest developments in peacebuilding. Soon, his team’s tasks would include leading periodic reviews of institutional strategic plans, developing inclusive programs for the coconut industry, and institutionalizing a school of inclusive development. Ka Boyet and his staff will also be responsible in solidifying the sustainability and communication strategies at PBCI.
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Permanent link to this article: https://peacebuilderscommunity.org/2023/06/ka-boyet-starts-with-his-field-work-as-evp-institutional-and-program-development/
Joji Pantoja travelled to Oslo, Norway last 02-07 June 2023, by the invitation of the Business for Peace Foundation, to be one of the 75 members of the United Nations Business Arena for Sustainability and Peace. This Arena is to be an annual meeting place at the highest level for global investors, board chairs, business leaders and civil society — all working to build back better, bringing business closer to the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), building on the UN Charter. Starting in 2024, the Arena will convene the UN’s different private sector initiatives and connect global board chairs and business leaders with the UN, in order to work together for a better and more equitable world. Business for Peace Foundation is a co-creator of this UN Arena on Business and Peace. As one of the three 2020 Business for Peace Awardees, it is Joji’s responsibility to take part in this Arena.
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Permanent link to this article: https://peacebuilderscommunity.org/2023/06/oslo-business-for-peace-foundation-invites-joji-to-be-a-part-of-the-u-n-arena-on-business-and-peace/
The Sondawa Coffee Farmers Association (SoCoFA) held a two-day leadership training on value-based strategic planning last 26-27 May 2023, at the Mt. Apo Facilities of the Energy Development Corporation (EDC). The training was facilitated by PeaceBuilders Community, Inc. (PBCI) and Coffee for Peace (CFP), who are partners with the Manobo Apao Descendants Ancestral Domain of Mount Apo (MADADMA) and EDC. This value-based strategic planning was a culmination of more than 5 years of journeying together and partnership between the MADADMA, EDC, and PBCI-CFP. Through those five years, a Peace and Reconciliation (PAR) Community and a social enterprise have been established, and a set of well-qualified, equipped, and enthusiastic leaders were elected to sustain and regenerate this inclusive development program, which is partly a result of an on-going MCCanada peacebuilding ministry in the Philippines.
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Permanent link to this article: https://peacebuilderscommunity.org/2023/05/obo-menovu-coffee-farmers-hold-value-based-strategic-planning/
PeaceBuilders Community, Inc. (PBCI) is pleased to announce the appointment of Joseph Astrophel “Ka Boyet” Ongkiko as its new Executive Vice President for Organizational and Program Development. Mr. Ongkiko assumed his new position on 01 May 2023. His duties will involve developing and sustaining the organizational structure; expanding the stakeholder base; seeking partnerships with other organizations; keeping abreast of the latest developments in peacebuilding; leading periodic reviews of institutional strategic plans; developing inclusive programs for the coconut industry; and, institutionalizing a school of inclusive development. Ka Boyet will also be responsible for revenue generation, through the social entrepreneurial programs of PBCI, towards the sustainability and regeneration of activities under his areas of responsibility.
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Permanent link to this article: https://peacebuilderscommunity.org/2023/05/joseph-astrophel-ka-boyet-is-pbci-evp-for-organizational-and-program-development/
It was a great opportunity to be chosen as one of the representatives of the Philippine coffee industry to participate at the Specialty Coffee Expo 2023 held in Portland, Oregon last 21-23 April 2023. As President & CEO of Coffee For Peace (CFP), I’m grateful to the efforts of the Agricultural Cooperative Development International/Volunteers in Overseas Cooperative Assistance (ACDI/VOCA) in bringing coffee industry stakeholders from the Philippines to this international coffee exhibition. By participating in this premier event, Filipino coffee industry players like me were able to showcase our products and connect with the international decision makers in the industry, gaining exposure to global markets and expanding our business opportunities.
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Permanent link to this article: https://peacebuilderscommunity.org/2023/04/cfp-is-part-of-team-philippines-at-the-specialty-coffee-expo-2023-in-portland-oregon/
