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THE UNP PEACE PROJECT1

PEACE EDUCATION: Promoting a culture of peacethrough effective human rights and drug prevention education.

I. BACKGROUND

It is very important for everyone to have a comprehensive grasp of peace for us, as onecommunity or nation to be able to advance in our pursuit in having it. By definition, theholistic view of peace points toward the presence and absence of the different componentsand realities in our society. Peace researchers and educators now seem satisfied to split theconcept of peace in two, stating that the meaning of peace can be captured by the idea ofa negative peace and the idea of a positive peace. Negative peace refers to the absence ofwar or physical/direct violence, while positive peace refers to the presence of just and non-exploitative relationships, as well as human and ecological well-being, such that the rootcauses of conflict are diminished.2

Treaties and Declarations

The United Nations Charter, in its preamble clearly states these components andrecognized the importance of each element enshrined in the comprehensive definition ofpeace above. It states that,the United Nations was established to save succeedinggenerations from the scourge of war, to reaffirm faith in the dignity and worth of thehuman person [and] in the equal rights of men and women, to establish conditions underwhich justice and respect for the obligations arising from treaties and other sources ofinternational law can be maintained, and to promote social progress and better standardsof life in larger freedom.

Subsequently, during the fifty third (53rd) meeting of UNESCO in September 19, 1999, theDeclaration on a Culture of Peace was adopted followed by the proclamation of year 2000

as the International Year for the Culture of Peace in November 20, 1997 and proclaimingthe period 2001-2010 as the International Decade for a Culture of Peace and Non-violencefor the Children of the World in November 10, 1998.

The use and presence of this word in every part of the globe, in almost every Constitution,State and International declarations manifest humanitys deep yearning for it, as well as ourthinking and understanding of its importance.

Peace Education

Longing for peace and unwavering quest for it have led to the development of peaceeducation. From a spectrum of focal themes, including anti-nuclearism, international

understanding, environmental responsibility, communication skills, non-violence, conflictresolution techniques, democracy, human rights awareness, tolerance of diversity,coexistence and gender equality, to name a few, have transcend these narrow bounds ofadvocacies to be a single institution in itself. It has set a new trend of approach andunderstanding of how to impart and sustain a culture of peace.

1 Long-term program for peace education of UNP through CHRDPE, within and among the service communitiesof UNP.2 Loreta Navarro-Castro & Jasmin Nario-Galace, Peace EducationA Pathway to a Culture of PeaceCenter for Peace Education, Miriam College, 2008

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At the Global Campaign for Peace Education, born out of the Hague Appeal forPeace Conference of the United Nations in May 1999, it was agreed that PEACEEDUCATION be defined as the teaching for and about human rights, gender equality,disarmament, social and economic justice, non-violence, sustainable development,international law and latter the recognition of traditional peace practices was added. It wasalso agreed upon that

the methodology of peace education should include critical thinking, reflection andparticipation, and that it should be integrated into the pedagogy of all teaching at all levelsof education.3

The recognition of peace educators and social scientists that the most significant way offostering culture of peace among children and adult alike is through peace education makesit more important for every institution and civil society groups to give emphasis on steps toapply or adopting it based on the historical context and the peoples needs and aspirationsto make it more consequential and far-reaching.

The Philippine Context

When we talk about peace and peace education, we must first recognize the fact that weare, as a nation is at conflict. The upsurge of the secessionist movement in Mindanao tocreate and independent Muslim state and the national democratic revolution under theleadership of the Communist Party of the Philippines are the two major armed conflicts weare confronting. But these are just some of the symptoms of the moribund and atrociousstate of our economic and political system. Intolerance to choices and beliefs, genderinequality, criminality, environmental abuses, exploitative economy and social injusticesalso plague our country.

We must therefore, as individuals, as Filipinos be aware of the root cause of such conflictsand social problems to be able to contribute in finding ways of arriving for a resolution

which is acceptable to the general public a peace based on justice and a nation whosecitizens are advocates of peace and nonviolence.

II. THE UNP PEACE PROJECT

The University of Northern Philippines, taking pride as the oldest educational institution forhigher learning in Northern Luzon has contributed much on the peace endeavor both in theregion and national. The creation Center for Human Rights, Drug and Peace Education(CHRDPE) 4is one of such contribution.

At present, the CHRDPE has made its own name, receiving awards and recognition bothlocal and national. The center also continuously seeks better ways of fulfilling its mandate

to help nurture a culture where human rights are respected and to establish a drug-freesociety which is essential in achieving a peaceful society. The UNP PEACE PROJECT is oneof these ways.

3 Cora Weiss, President, Hague Appeal for Peace & Former President, International Peace Bureau, PeaceEducationA Pathway to a Culture of Peace Center for Peace Education, Miriam College, 20084 The Center for Human Rights, Drug and Peace Education of the University of Northern Philippines wasestablished in May 2006. Prior to its institution in the University, it was known as the City & Provincial Center forHuman Rights Education established by the Commission on Human Rights Region I in October 2003.

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Recognizing that achieving and educating people about peace is a long process, demandingfor a strategic and holistic program of action, the UNP PEACE PROJECT seeks to address thisdemand. The project will serve as the strategic platform of UNP for peace education throughCHRDPE (as the lead office) -- the central theme being the promotion of a culture ofpeace through human rights and drug education. Highlight activities are programmed ineach month of commemoration of specific advocacies or sub-themes of the project (eg.October IP Week, November Drug Abuse Prevention Month, December UDHR

Commemoration, etc). It is a strategic platform which aims to attain the followingobjectives:

1. Educate children and adults about peace by teaching them the principles of humanrights and drug prevention.

2. Learn and discover the diverse methods of conflict resolutions through the differentdimensions of peace education and be able to apply and converge it with thedifferent university institutions and programs.

3. Provide a venue for every member of the UNP community and other stakeholders toparticipate in pursuing peace based on social justice, mutual respect, and drug-freesociety.

4. Expand the network of peace advocates and generate more support, both material,

manpower and financial for UNP and CHRDPE for a sustained, innovative and high-impact peace education projects.

The progress of the project will be monitored through the assessment of the activities.Accomplished activities based on the 6 months plan will fall under the quantitative aspectof the assessment while the qualitative value will be based on the impact of the activity.

Through this process, the CHRDPE can adjust, revise, and further innovate the project tosuite the immediate needs of the university, partner agencies/institutions and its servicecommunities.

III. EVENTS & ACTIVITIES FOR ACADEMIC YEAR 2010-2011

MONTH EVENT TO BE COMMEMORATED & ACTIVITIES TO BEACCOMPLISHED

September 1. INTERNATIONAL PEACE AWARENESS MONTHCELEBRATION & UNESCO Decade for a Culture of Peace(2000-2010) in partnership w/ POLIS

a. Pledge of Peace Campaignb. Room-to-room discussionsc. Distribution & posting of IEC materialsd. Radio Broadcasting (DWNP, UNP Today)e. Planting of the University Tree of Peace

f. Forum: Current developments of the Philippine peacenegotiations (?) GRP & NDFP Joint Secretariat

2. Write letters to the Education Committee Chairperson ofdifferent levels of the LGUs and DepEd regarding the institutionof peace education in the curriculum of elementary and highschools.

3. Build-up activities for the following monthsa. Forum: ELK & enforced disappearances UDHRw/ Ateneo HR Centerb. Volunteer Corps Orientation & Seminar Intl

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Volunteers Dayc. Extension Services in Sta. Catalina

4. Martial Law Declaration Commemorationa. Never Again Campaign against Martial Law (?)

October 1. INDIGENOUS PEOPLES WEEKa. Room-to-room discussionsb. Distribution & posting of IEC materials

c. Radio Broadcasting (DWNP, UNP Today)d. Forum: IPRA and the present condition of the Philippine

IP community. (w/ NCIP or IP Advocacy Group)e. Photo-exhibit on Development Aggressionf. Film showing AGNO & _______________ w/ IP Student

Org2. Build-up activity for the following months

a. Planning-workshop of the CHRDPE Volunteer Corpsb. Lecture on Drug education and prevention volcorps

3. UNP Peace Project Literary Contest and CHRDPE Logo-makingContest in partnership w/ OPAPP or CHR / PPOC Ilocos Sur

4. UNP Peace Project Caravan (to be conducted monthly) [Visit toselected high school in the province] w/ DepEd Ilocos Sur

a. Peace Education Lectureb. Leadership-training Seminarc. The Four Dimensions of the Environmentd. Pledge of Peace (Against guns & violence)

November 1. DRUG PREVENTION MONTHa. Ilocos Sur Youth Summit on Drug Abuse Prevention (in

partnership with Provincial SK)b. Forum: Current State of the Regional Campaign Against

Dangerous Drugs (w/ RPOC and Provl LGU)c. Formal launching of BARKADA KONTRA DROGA UNP

Chapterd. Film Showing w/ ProFrate. Distribution & posting of IEC materialsf. Signing of Pledge for a Drug-free Society

5. UNP Peace Project Caravan [Visit to selected t high school inthe province] w/ DepEd Ilocos Sur

a. Peace Education Lecturea. Leadership-Training Seminarb. The Four Dimensions of the Environmentc. Pledge of Peace (Against guns & violence)

2. UNP PEACE PROJECT Literary Contest & CHRDPE Logo MakingContest (Deadline for submission of entries)

December 1. Celebration of the UNIVERSAL DECLARATION OF HUMANRIGHTS (December 10) in partnership with the UNP StudentCouncil & CHR

a. Awarding of winners, UNP PEACE PROJECT LiteraryContest & CHRDPE Logo Making Contest.

b. Forum: HR Situation for 2010 and Prospects for 2011(w/ CHR & civil society groups)

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c. Distribution and posting of IEC materialsd. Radio Broadcastinge. Extemporaneous Speaking/Oratorical Competitionf. Motorcade UNP to Vigan City Central Business Districtg. Singing of Commitment to Uphold Human Rights

2. INTERNATIONAL VOLUNTEERS DAY (December 5)a. Distribution and posting of IEC materials

b. CHRDPE Volunteer Corps RAMBAK - Christmas Party3. UNP Peace Project Caravan [Visit to selected high school in the

province] w/ DepEd Ilocos Sura. Peace Education Lecturea. Leadership-Training Seminarb. The Four Dimensions of Environmentc. Pledge of Peace (Against guns & violence)

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MONTH EVENT TO BE COMMEMORATED & ACTIVITIES TO BEACCOMPLISHED

January 1. UNP Peace Project Caravan [Visit to seletced high school in theprovince] w/ DepEd Ilocos Sur

a. Peace Education Lecture

b. Leadership-Training Seminarc. The Four Dimensions of Environmentd. Pledge of Peace (Against guns & violence)

2. STREET PAINTING (w/ OSA)3. Tree Planting (w/ CEESDev)

February 1. EDSA PEOPLE POWER REVOLUTION (February 22)2. Rock n Rolling for Love and Peace (Battle of the Bands)

coordinate with Center for Culture & Performing Arts (CCPA)4. UNP Peace Project Caravan [Visit to selected high school in the

province] w/ DepEd Ilocos Sura. Peace Education Lectureb. Leadership-Training Seminar

c. Four Dimensions of the Environmentd. Pledge of Peace (Against guns & violence)

March 1. INTERNATIONAL WORKING WOMENS DAY (March 10) coordinate with Center for Gender Advocacy and Development(CGAD)

2. 6 Months Assessment of the UNP PEACE PROJECT with theOVPEAAR & selected Volunteer Corps members.

3. CHRDPE & Volunteer Corps Planning-workshop for AY 2011-2012

5. UNP Peace Project Caravan [Visit to selected high school in theprovince] w/ DepEd Ilocos Sur target are 4th year, part ofencouraging them to enroll in UNP.

a. Peace education Lectureb. Leadership-Training Seminarc. The Four Dimensions of the Environmentd. Pledge of Peace (Against guns & violence)

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