Dr. Jose Arnold Alfarez, the Graduate School Peace Development program head, represented CSU at the National Peace Education Summit held at Luxent Hotel in Quezon City last September 26-27, 2023. The theme of the events was “Reigniting Education for Peace and Sustainable Development towards a Resilient Philippines.”
Participants included representatives from the national and Bangsamoro government, higher education institutions, and peace education experts to share their best practices and provide input on the draft Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRRs) of the proposed Executive Order for Strengthening the Institutionalization of Peace and Sustainable Development in Basic and Higher Education and Other Learning Institutions. Peacebuilding efforts and programs were presented by the DILG, CHED, DepED, TESDA, and OPAPRU, as well as by Bangsamoro agencies such as the Ministry of Basic, Higher, and Technical Education and the Ministry of Public Order and Safety.
CHED Chairman J. Propero “Popoy” E. De Vera III emphasized the importance of higher education institutions’ role in building a peaceful world in his message delivered by CHED Commissioner Ronald L. Adamat. According to De Vera, institutions of higher learning play a pivotal role in shaping the future of our society by embracing peace education. Through this, a more harmonious and just world can be achieved. Additionally, he provided insights into how to mainstream peace education in higher education by “engaging students in meaningful discussions and experiential learning.”
During the summit, the Departments of Interior and Local Government (DILG), Commission on Higher Education (CHED), and Department of Education (DEPED) expressed their full support for mainstreaming peace education into barangays and basic and higher education institutions.
The summit was organized by the, Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation and Unity (OPAPRU) formerly the Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace (OPAP). It is a government agency responsible for peace talks and negotiations regarding internal conflicts and rebellions. //Abduljabbar S. Guiamalon
