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"Children should learn that there is another way"

Phillipines: Peace formation and conflict resolution for children


Starting situation

For over 40 years, violence was part of everyday life in Mindanao, the second largest island in the Philippines: Muslim groups have been fighting for an independent state since the 1970s. In 2018, the government finally passed its own constitution for the region - and officially recognized the autonomous region of Bangamoro (Barmm).

Now there is peace. But people still feel the consequences of the fights. Over half of the inhabitants of Bangamoro lives below the poverty line. And again and again conflicts with gun violence are held. The perspectives and needs of children and adolescents hardly play a role in building up the autonomous region.


The terre of the Hommes partner organization

The "Kaduntaya Foundation Inc." (KFI) was founded in 1989 with the aim of promoting an approximation between Christians and Muslims. Today KFI is committed to environmental protection, nutritional security, sustainable development and a just society.
 

Measures and effects

KFI strengthens the rights of children and adolescents in Bangamoro by the organization ...

  • whose perspective brings in on current peace initiatives.
  • Youth groups supported in lobby and advocacy campaigns. 22 children and adolescents also receive leadership training courses and self-organization.
  • Child protection relies on the regional government's political agenda.
  • Civil servants, teachers, religious leaders and parents sensitize children's rights and child protection and gradually ties in a spacious but close network that protects children.
  • discussed with students about their culture and identity.
  • Teachers trained in peace education.

In addition, KFI is in close contact with the regional government and local authorities to improve basic services such as registration of newborns. KFI reaches 6,700 children and adolescents with the measures. A total of 24,000 benefit from the use of the Hommes partner organization.
 

Challenges and planning

In order to secure the peace achieved and to end the still smoldering conflict, deep trenches must be overcome. Who could do that better than the children and adolescents? If you learn to break through the spiral of violence in family and society, peaceful society can thrive.
 

The project is supported by the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ).

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