Karl N.

Sabalboro
BEEd 401
Activity # 1 Midterm
I- Discuss:
1. Peace education activities promote the knowledge, skills and attitudes that will help
people either to prevent the occurrence of conflict, resolve conflicts peacefully, or
create social conditions conducive to peace. Social justice is realized by principles of
equality, responsibility, and solidarity.
2. I can’t see how it could possibly be unethical, and in terms of practicality, all I can
say is that in a world with over 15,000 nuclear weapons still floating around, Peace
Studies and Peace Education programs are VERY practical! The concept of Peace
Studies as we devised it back in 1970 at Manhattan College was inspired by the fact
that although no one had a real “solution” to the problem of war, every professor
seemed to think that their own discipline had the real key for the solution.
Psychology, economics, history, bio-anthropology, sociology, literature, philosophy…
I’m surprised there weren’t any math professors claiming to have the solution!
3. A peaceable classroom is one where students feel safe, secure, and comfortable in
their learning environment. The prefix 'peace' implies just that. However, the model
comes from the notion of conflict resolution built into the classroom climate. Let's
take a look at how we can teach students to resolve their own disputes and create a
warm, welcoming classroom experience.
II- Encircle the letter that corresponds to the best answer to the statement.
1. A
2. D
3. D
4. D
5. C
6. C
7. C
8. C
9. B
10. A

III- Research on the peace efforts of the Philippines’ governments, schools and civil society
organization.
The Philippines has suffered two major armed conflicts in recent years – in Mindanao
involving the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) and a countrywide communist
insurgency with the National Democratic Front (NDF). At the heart of the conflict in
Mindanao lies deep-rooted prejudices against a minority Muslim and indigenous
population. The conflict has roots in the colonial period, but the armed struggle for an
independent state began in 1969, sparked by discrimination and human rights violations
under President Marco’s dictatorship. Many armed groups, most notably the Moro
National Liberation Front (MNLF) and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), fought
against the government to establish an independent Muslim region on the island of
Mindanao. Over 150,000 were killed in the decades-long insurgency that ensued. In July
2018 President Duterte signed the Bangsamoro Organic Law, and agreed to a referendum
to give voters in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao the final say in the future
status of the Bangsamoro. The successful vote in January 2019 paves the way for the
establishment of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Regional Government, that will replace the
current authorities. The regional government will have greater financial autonomy and a
more representative parliamentary system. Various civil society organizations (CSOs) have
been actively working on initiatives to advance the comprehensive peace process alongside
efforts of the government and rebel groups to keep peace talks going.

Karen Tanada, executive director of Gaston Z. Ortigas (GZO) Peace Institute, said that many
CSOs across the country are engaging themselves in peace efforts as the unfinished quest to
end the protracted armed conflicts has become a growing concern among sectors.

In a recently held dialogue dubbed, “Forum on Peace and Security: Pursuing EDSA’s Path of
Peace,” held at the Walter Hogan Training Center of the Ateneo de Manila University, Tanada
briefly presented an overview of  CSO initiatives on engaging peace processes.

Also in attendance were Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Teresita Quintos-Deles, who
presented the government’s peace and security plan; and panel chairs Alexander Padilla and
Marvic Leonen, who both gave updates on the ongoing peace negotiations with the NDF and
MILF, respectively.

Tanada related that civil society peace efforts can be classified into five. “Prof. Miriam Coronel-
Ferrer (panel member for talks with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front [MILF]) categorized these
initiatives into peace constituency building; conflict reduction efforts; conflict settlement
efforts; peace research and training; and peace building and social development.”