"Peace through Reconciliation:
Mindanao Seeking a Common Ground". The programs for the celebration were discussed during a meeting of the BUF Tripartite Commission last September 11 at the Mergrande Ocean Resort in Davao City. AS
in the past, the BUF will issue a statement this month calling on all Mindanaoans to celebrate the Mindanao Week of Peace. A Primer, to be prepared by the Peace Advocates of Zamboanga and the Catholic
Relief Services-Mindanao, will be prepared and disseminated explaining the objectives and activities of the celebration, as well as the necessary structures that will assure its success.
Each BUF
province/diocese/sectoral area will have its own MWP Activities. A region-wide activity, the only one for this year, will be held following this – the Muslim-Christian-IP Youth Peace Camp, which has
been scheduled on December 7 to 9, immediately after the Muslim observance of Ramadhan. The BUF Secretariat will call a meeting of the Youth directors/coordinators to prepare for this Peace Camp.
The
celebration of the Mindanao Week of Peace, as decreed through a Presidential Proclamation of President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, is celebrated each year from the last Thursday of November to the first
Wednesday of Decmber. The observance aims "to raise consciousness for a culture peace among the peoples of Mindanao… (by providing) a venue for expression of peace aspirations in various forms and for
convergence of peace initiatives".
The proclamation enjoins and encourages all concerned government agencies and instrumentalities, including government owned and controlled corporations and members of the
private sector and civil society based in Mindanao to engage in relevant and meaningful activities in celebration of the Mindanao Week of Peace in coordination with the Bishops-Ulama Forum.
