The Arrupe Office of Social Formation organized a peace conversation at the Pakighinabi Room, Community Center last Wednesday afternoon in the light of the celebration of the Mindanao Week of Peace.

Members of the faculty, peace advocates, student leaders and student volunteers attended the said program which was entitled “Pakig-ambitay para sa Kalinaw sa Mindanao: Afternoon Conversation on Peace, Part I.”

Mr. Mike Alon ,the Executive Director of IMAN, Inc. (Integrated Mindanaons Association for Natives, Inc.), and Mr. Orson Sargado, the Program Manager of Peace-building at Catholic Relief Services (CRS), shared their experiences in the field of peacemaking and peace building.

Mr. Sargado also discussed ten lessons in doing peace building work. Some of these include bridging people’s relationship and transforming structures, understanding other people, and identifying peace champions in groups and structures.

He further encouraged everyone to participate in peace-building even in simple ways.

“Each one of us can contribute in building a better Mindanao. Again, this is our only home. We could not [do anything] but to help in the process of making Mindanao a safer place to live in.”

The second part of the series will be held on the afternoon of December 15 in the same venue.