“Schools Serving Society” OVERVIEW Albert E. Alejo, SJ Conference Director Top-Level Action Agenda of Higher Education Institutions for Mindanao Peace.

““Schools Serving Society”Schools Serving Society”

OVERVIEWOVERVIEW

Albert E. Alejo, SJAlbert E. Alejo, SJConference DirectorConference Director

Top-Level Action Agenda of Higher Top-Level Action Agenda of Higher Education Institutions Education Institutions for Mindanao Peace and Developmentfor Mindanao Peace and Development

MINDANAO CONTEXTMINDANAO CONTEXT

Source:Beyond the Veil of Conflict: Moving Toward Economic Integration for Sustained Development and Peace in Mindanao (World Bank 2010)

Economic density map of the Philippines

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Mindanao ChallengeMindanao Challenge

““Mindanao must change. Its turbulent history Mindanao must change. Its turbulent history marred by division, dashed hopes, fear and marred by division, dashed hopes, fear and frustration must give way to a future marked frustration must give way to a future marked by unity, optimism, pride and contentment. by unity, optimism, pride and contentment.

This is a future that will not come to Mindanao This is a future that will not come to Mindanao from without, but one that Mindanawons from without, but one that Mindanawons must work together to secure for themselves must work together to secure for themselves under an empowering national governance under an empowering national governance environment.”environment.”

Two new platforms in the first Two new platforms in the first years of Pres. Aquino years of Pres. Aquino

1.1. Mindanao 2020: Peace Mindanao 2020: Peace and Development and Development Framework PlanFramework Plan

2.2. ARMM Reform and the ARMM Reform and the Framework Agreement on Framework Agreement on the Bangsamoro (FAB)the Bangsamoro (FAB)

Mindanao 2020 VisionMindanao 2020 Vision

““A Mindanao where no one is deprived – where A Mindanao where no one is deprived – where people are able to develop their potentials as people are able to develop their potentials as individuals and as communities; individuals and as communities;

build trust and solidarity across build trust and solidarity across regions and diverse cultural identities; regions and diverse cultural identities;

and live and work in full respect of and live and work in full respect of the ecological and spiritual systems of which the ecological and spiritual systems of which they are part and draw sustenance from.”they are part and draw sustenance from.”

““Top Level Forum of Top Level Forum of Mindanao HEIs”Mindanao HEIs”

What could be the role of HEIs in Mindanao What could be the role of HEIs in Mindanao peace and development? peace and development?

How can the top academic leaders and How can the top academic leaders and administrators stir their universities and administrators stir their universities and colleges in the realization of Mindanao colleges in the realization of Mindanao 2020 and the ongoing peace efforts? 2020 and the ongoing peace efforts?

How can this role be enhanced by partnership How can this role be enhanced by partnership with other universities, government with other universities, government agencies, NGOs, business, religious groups agencies, NGOs, business, religious groups and development partners? and development partners?

Potential of HEIsPotential of HEIs

As of September 2009, the Commission on As of September 2009, the Commission on Higher Education (CHED):Higher Education (CHED):

* * 433 433 Higher Education Institutions Higher Education Institutions (HEI’s) in Mindanao. This number (HEI’s) in Mindanao. This number accounts for accounts for

** 21% 21% of all HEI’s in the country. of all HEI’s in the country.

This is a lot! If only we can tap these This is a lot! If only we can tap these institutions for Mindanao peace and institutions for Mindanao peace and development!development!

Forum ProcessForum Process1. Inspiration and Challenges1. Inspiration and Challengesa.a. President Benigno C Aquino, IIIPresident Benigno C Aquino, III

b.b. Sec. Lualhati AntoninoSec. Lualhati Antonino

c.c. Gov. Mujiv HatamanGov. Mujiv Hataman

d.d. Sectoral voices:Sectoral voices:

Miriam “Dedette” Suacito Miriam “Dedette” Suacito (NGO-Nagdilaab Foundation)(NGO-Nagdilaab Foundation)

Col Romulo “Bim” Quemado Col Romulo “Bim” Quemado (Civil-Military Relations)(Civil-Military Relations)

Jimid Mansayagan Jimid Mansayagan (IPs-Lumad Mindanaw)(IPs-Lumad Mindanaw)

Sitti DjaliaTurabinHatamanSitti DjaliaTurabinHataman (Women-Pinay Kilos) (Women-Pinay Kilos)

Marian RocesMarian Roces (Brain Trust Inc./Min2020) (Brain Trust Inc./Min2020)

2. Group Sharing2. Group Sharing

3. Network Action Planning3. Network Action Planning

Toward a new Mindanao!

“ Can we imagine a different future guided by another,more humane understanding of ‘development’? What movements and ideas in

‘peripheral’ corners of the world are now growing in influence and may contain the seeds of different, and vastly better, modes of living? The future is not written in stone. Many paths are possible. Let us examine these closely as we envision a better future. What next?” – Sheila Coronel and Kunda Dixit Development Dialogue 47