Local peacebuilders celebrate “Do No Harm” initiatives at World Vision–Ateneo DS “Empowered Worldview” workshop

Local peacebuilders across the Philippines reconvened in Cagayan de Oro City from 17 to 18 August 2024 to celebrate the success of their local community initiatives and participate in an Empowered Worldview Workshop.  

Ten months after the Do No Harm (DNH) for Faith Groups Workshop, Ateneo’s Department of Development Studies (DS) and World Vision Philippines gathered 20 local faith actors for their on-site community sharing. This activity highlighted the participants’ application of DNH as a conflict sensitivity tool to their respective communities, emphasizing their earnest efforts to minimize any negative impact of their local peacebuilding activities.

Reflecting on DNH, Myrna Siose of the Birhen sa Kota Development Foundation and the Group of Women Advocates for Peace in the Archipelago (GWAPA) expressed that the October workshop moved her to become a more conscious communicator in mediating and facilitating conversations. Siose, who works with young people, posed a challenge to her fellow peacebuilders: “We have to be better models. The generation now looks at what they see in you rather than what you say.”

Cathlene Tacoloy, convenor and volunteer of Justice for Marawi, Justice for All (JMJA), extends Siose’s challenge by emphasizing the importance of community sensitivity in leadership. “Most of our dividers are socio-political… we really need to know what happens on the ground. Sensitivity starts from there,” she said. Context is also crucial for Tacoloy, “When giving our services, it should not be one-faced, but it should be holistic. This includes assessing our faith and the community’s prevailing culture beforehand.”

During the workshop, video reflections of local counterparts from Sri Lanka and Burundi were also presented. Since January 2024, the participants have been submitting monthly video reflections on their peacebuilding experiences after the DNH workshop. The videos also serve as knowledge sharing materials to their fellow peacebuilders overseas, as they are circulated to the other country groups. 

All these form part of the three-country action research funded by The British Academy under the Knowledge Frontiers scheme about faith actors and peacebuilding. Together with Ateneo de Manila University in this project are the University of Leeds (United Kingdom), the University of Peradeniya (Sri Lanka), Rema Burundi (Burundi), World Vision Lanka, and World Vision Philippines.

Elevating their role

Oliver Apud, Peacebuilding and Context Adaptation Officer at World Vision Philippines, introduced the Empowered Worldview (EWV) framework to strengthen the influence of local faith actors in their communities.

The framework is a dynamic faith-based empowerment approach that encourages individuals and communities alike to examine their beliefs, mindsets, and behaviors in light of their respective religions.

“Our worldview influences the way we behave. Therefore, changing our worldview, our mindset, helps change our behavior. When worldviews change, people develop the courage to stand against cultural norms that may be harmful,” Apud emphasized.

Present in this two-day workshop were representatives from ILAW Shared Community, Inc., Ako Bakwit, Group of Women Advocates for Peace in the Archipelago, Arnold Janssen Catholic Mission Foundation Inc., Safe to Serve Christian Fellowship Community Holy Place Inc., Disciples Fellowship Ministries International, Beyond Borders Christian Community, and Group of Women Advocates for Peace in the Archipelago.

Dr. Emma Tomalin, principal investigator from the University of Leeds (United Kingdom) and Dr. Jayeel Cornelio, professor in the DS Department and academic lead for the Philippines, were also in attendance. 

The second workshop culminated the ten-month documentation of the participants’ community activities.