Mediation Training Kicks Off ASEAN Training Series on Peace and Reconciliation in Manila
From left: Ateneo de Manila University Vice President for Social Development and Global Affairs Jaime Hofilena, ASEAN Institute for Peace and Reconciliation Governing Council Chair Dr. Darmp Sukontasap, former Indonesian Minister of Law and Human Rights) Hamid Awaluddin, Permanent Representative of the Philippines to ASEAN Elizabeth P. Buensuceso, Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation and Unity Secretary Carlito Galvez, former Foreign Affairs Secretary Delia Domingo Albert, Republic of Korea Ambassador to ASEAN Kim Young-Chae, former Indonesian Minister of Foreign Affairs Hassan Wirajuda, Former Philippine Executive Secretary and former Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Eduardo Ermita. (Jakarta PM photo)
MANILA 06 March 2019 — The Permanent Mission of the Philippines to Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process, and Ateneo de Manila University (ADMU), under of the auspices of the Jakarta-based ASEAN Institute for Peace and Reconciliation (AIPR), successfully conducted the first leg of the training series entitled “Mainstreaming Peace and Reconciliation in ASEAN” on 21-22 February 2019 in Manila.
With the theme “Approaches in Peace Processes and Peace Building in Southeast Asia and the Role of Mediators,” the first leg of the training series was supported by the ASEAN-Korea Cooperation Fund.
Around 80 experts, diplomats, peace practitioners, educators and representatives of civil society from ASEAN member states gathered to discuss the challenges and best practices in mediation within a peace and reconciliation context.
The distinguished roster of resource persons included former Indonesian Foreign Minister Hassan Wirajuda, who shared his experiences as an international mediator during the peace processes between the Philippines and the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF), former Indonesian Minister for Law and Human Rights Hamid Awaluddin, who shared his insights on the Aceh Peace Process, and former Philippine Executive Secretary and Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process General Eduardo Ermita, who was a key figure in the Philippines’ peace efforts.
During the opening ceremony, Permanent Representative to ASEAN Ambassador Elizabeth P. Buensuceso highlighted that the major inspiration for the training series is the fact that “ASEAN is a region fraught with many challenges and there is no shortage of causes for us to wage conflict among each other. And yet, we choose to live in peace and settle our differences in a peaceful way, a most cherished principle enshrined in the ASEAN Charter.”
Republic of Korea Ambassador to ASEAN Kim Young-Chae welcomed the partnership with AIPR and the Philippines. The Ambassador noted that the “peace and reconciliation has been a huge issue in our region in interstate, as well as intercommunity relations,” and underscored that “that peace and reconciliation starts by respecting difference and appreciating commonalities” which is at the heart of the ASEAN spirit.
ADMU Vice President for Social Development and Global Affairs and Corporate Secretary Jaime Hofilena welcomed the opportunity to partner with AIPR, following the successful partnership during the conduct of the Symposium on the Establishment of an ASEAN Women for Peace Registry in December 2018.
Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation and Unity Secretary Carlito Galvez, who delivered the keynote address, called for ASEAN member states to “heed the call of peace, reconciliation and unity of our countries.” He added that “we certainly need to put our acts together to mainstream peace and reconciliation in the same way that the women, peace, and security agenda or United Nations Resolution 1325 has led to the mainstreaming of a gender perspective in peace operations.”
The succeeding legs of the training series, to be held in Myanmar and Laos, will tackle the topics of Peace Mechanisms: Ceasefire, Security Arrangement in Conflict Areas (second leg) and Reintegration Experiences in Southeast Asia: Focus on Transitional Justice, Healing and Reconciliation Modes (third leg).
The AIPR is mandated to be ASEAN’s primary institution for research activities on peace, conflict management and conflict resolution. END
For more information, visit http://www.jakartapm.dfa.gov.ph/ or https://www.facebook.com/PHMissionJakarta.
