Secretary Dureza Shares PH Experience in the Peace Process
Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Jesus G. Dureza addresses the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations (UNAOC) Group of Friends Ministerial Meeting, an event held during the eighth UNAOC Global Forum at Conference Room 4, UNHQ, on 20 November 2018. (New York PM)
NEW YORK CITY 26 November 2018 – Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Jesus G. Dureza shared the Philippine experience on the peace process during the eighth United Nations Alliance of Civilizations (UNAOC) Group of Friends Ministerial Meeting held at the UNHQ from 19 to 20 November 2018.
Secretary Dureza stressed that the Philippines has its own challenges on “un-peace and conflict which we have dealt with for almost 50 years now and we are still at it today. These realities have become indeed generational challenges that must decisively be addressed and confronted.”
“We all have to admit that work on preventing conflict and sustaining peace is easier said than done. I call it ‘peace by piece’ which refers to our long work for peace. It can even take a lifetime,” Secretary Dureza said.
He explained that the Philippines, under the leadership of President Rodrigo Duterte, has achieved milestones after almost 50 years of work spanning several Presidencies and governments. He said that the key lessons learned in pursuing the Philippines’ peace process range from addressing the root causes of conflict and the “triggers” of conflict, to pursuing social healing and transitional justice in the work peace, and integrating a culture of peace in the educational curriculum of the youth.
“In peace negotiations with the rebels across the tables which we always refer to as the ‘smaller table’, we must also see to it that we engage with the ‘bigger table’ – the public itself – because even if we sign a thousand peace agreements but without public support, these will all be for naught,” the Secretary added.
During the opening ceremony of the Global Forum, UN Secretary-General António Guterres said that the “Alliance is a unique and inclusive platform for Member States, the private sector, youth, civil society and the media to exchange views and commit to dialogue and new partnerships.”
Secretary Dureza also met with Ella May Gonzales from the Polytechnic University of the Philippines, who won in the PLURAL+ 2018 video competition (International Jury Awards) for the 18-25 age category, with her entry entitled “False Hope”, that tackled the issue of female migration in the Philippines.
Around 50 Members of the Group of Friends delivered their respective interventions during the Ministerial Meeting. UNAOC focuses its activities on four priority areas: education, youth, media and migration. The Philippine is one of the founding Member States of the Alliance since 2005.
“While we in the Philippines align ourselves with Goal 16 of the Sustainable Development Goals, we have looked at the list of those who have been supporting the UNAOC and we have not found the name of the Philippines in the list, so we call on ourselves and we call on others who are not in the list: let’s put our money where our mouth is,” the Secretary concluded. END
For more information, visit www.newyorkpm.dfa.gov.ph / www.un.int/philippines or https://www.facebook.com/PHMissionNY/.