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Peacemaker's Circle Aids with Creation of Interfaith Committee |
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Written by Marites Africa and Global Staff
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Thursday, 08 November 2007 |
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Page 1 of 2 On June 4, 2007, an
Executive Order, entitled "Strengthening the Government's Interfaith
Program through the Creation of a National Committee," was signed by
Philippine President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. This order was for the
creation of a committee on interfaith cooperation in the Philippines, a
huge recognition of the importance of interfaith Peacebuilding, and the
drafting of it was influenced by the work of various non-government and
religious organizations engaged in promoting interfaith dialogue and
collaboration in the country.
URI’s very own Peacemaker’s Circle, a group that has contributed immensely to the endeavor in Metro Manila, was actively engaged in the process.
Marites Africa, Executive Director of the Peacemaker’s Circle, was invited by the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP) to participate in the drafting of the Philippine Plan of Action on Interfaith Cooperation, and recommendations to the President for an EO. She brought forward an idea during the discussions that took place while drafting the document that focal points in all departments, bureaus, offices, agencies and instrumentalities of national government “undergo orientation and training on interfaith cooperation.” These recommendations were taken very seriously by the President and were included in the EO.
Not only was the Peacemakers’ Circle URI CC involved in the drafting process of this Executive Order, they will also have a large role in designing training workshop programs which will be conducted for government employees.
On October 18, 2007, Marites Africa received a call from the Office of the Secretary General of the Presidential Council on Values Formation asking for a training workshop on Interfaith Dialogue for government employees. An interfaith desk is in the process of being created in all government offices and those who will be assigned to be in-charge of the desks will have to undergo training on interfaith dialogue and relationship-building. The Peacemaker’s Circle will have a hand in this process because of its reputation and expertise.
The OPAPP will next begin drafting the pertinent Implementing Rules and Regulations. They hope to have the project implemented before the end of the year.
Says Marites Africa of the Peacemaker’s Circle, “I look forward to collaborating with religious leaders in helping our government ensure that the Philippine Plan of Action on Interfaith Cooperation is implemented, and the EO carried out.”
To view the Executive Order, please see page two of this article.
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Last Updated ( Thursday, 08 November 2007 )
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