Sulong CARHRIHL

Participants from different regions and NCR based organizations arrived for the thematic workshop and were billeted at Oblate Missionary Center, Mapayapa Village, QC. A few unexpected last minute back outs of participants were also experienced in the workshop. In the late afternoon, the preliminary activities were facilitated by Ms. Cathy Cerillo, Education Officer which includes the overview of the program, grouping session, house rules and logistical announcements, expectation checks and getting-to-know-you exercise. Mr. Wilson Requez, Networking Officer provides the rationale of the thematic workshop and announced the minor changes and updates on the program schedules.

The opening activity of the workshop started early the next day with an ecumenical prayer and the singing of the national anthem. Ms. Joeven Reyes, Executive Director of Sulong CARHRIHL formally welcomed the participants to the workshop and stressed importance of the gathering of young people for peace and CARHRIHL Advocacy. She relay the envisioned partnership of the Network with young people by harnessing the potentials and other mechanism already being used by the youth to sustain such partnership.

Afterwards, as per the design of the workshop, the first two days of the thematic workshop was assigned for the introduction and deepening of knowledge on concepts of human rights, sectoral rights and issues, peace, IHL and CARHRIHL through learning sessions and fora. The discussion started with the lecture on deepening understanding of human rights by Atty. Ibarra Gutierrez III, Executive Director of UP Institute of Human Rights. The discussion focused on the historical imperatives which led to the conceptualization of human rights as an assertion of the people. Atty. Gutierrez also provided discussion on the basic concepts of human rights and described contemporary development in human rights theory and practice. Furthermore, he delved on the concept of universality of human rights as stipulated in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Nonetheless, he also posed questions on operationalization of human rights as it is individualistic in nature and western in orientation.

The next learning session was a workshop on building protective environment for children especially those involved in armed conflict and how CARHRIHL can be used to protect their rights. The learning session was facilitated by Mr. Marco Puzon, National Coordinator of Protect CIAC. The session started with an activity designed to show the situation of children and how their rights are violated. After the activity, Mr. Puzon explained the activity and its relation to the topic. The participants were introduced to the six grave violations of the rights of children as well as on children’s rights violated under the premise of CARHRIHL. Moreover, Mr, Puzon stressed the need to advocate for children’s rights and presented possible avenues for advocacy of children’s rights.

Before lunch time, the each group was asked to list down rights of women at times of peace and uring armed conflict. All of the groups posted their list after 15 minutes and headed for lunch break. After the lunch break, the session on women and girl’s rights was facilitated by Ms. Joeven Reyes, Executive Director of Sulong CARHRIHL. The discussion focused on the basic rights of women and girls at times of peace and during armed conflict. She introduced to the group the UN Resolution 1325 and the CEDAW as international instruments to secure women and girl’s rights. Moreover, she also presented the context of CARHRIHL in relation to UN Resolution 1325 and CEDAW. The discussion focused on the rights enshrined in the three document and highlighted the need for women to assert such rights. At the end of her discussion, the earlier workshop was checked to validate the rights listed by the participants.

Due to late notice of the speaker from NCIP, the session on understanding the marginalization of IP’s and protection of their rights was cancelled. Atty. Masli Quilaman of NCIP Human Rights Office however made efforts to arrange his schedules to be able to come the next days but was not permitted by the consequences of office related concerns.

All the learning session was well participated by the participants. To allow them to express what they learned and as per activity design, a poetry writing session was facilitated by Mr. Wilson Requez, Networking Officer of Sulong CARHRIHL. Mr. Requez presented a five line poem guide for those who are new into poem writing. Some of the participants are already familiar with it and proceeded on their own.

After the dinner, the groups gather for the night for their poetry reading session. Everyone shared their poems and it was a good exercise to gauge what they’ve learned on the morning sessions. The evening ended with everyone happy sharing their reflections for the workshop.

The second day of the workshop started with a audio-visual prayer. The morning activity for the day was facilitated by Ms. Cathy Cerillo, Education Officer of Sulong CARHRIHL. The activity was the modified war games in line for the first topic of the day on humanitarian protection in relation to International Humanitarian Law. The activity was able to highlight the rules of war, effects of armed conflict to communities and how communities can assert their rights.

The learning session for the morning was the topic on humanitarian protection in relation to International Humanitarian Law with Mr. Leonilo Lagasca of IHL Committee of PNRC. His session focused on the primary principles of IHL of protection, distinction and limitation. He also shared some experiences they have on Red Cross on humanitarian protection which was appreciated by the participants. He also shared the programs of Red Cross on conflict affected communities as well as in other areas. The discussion was fruitful especially for the youth partners in the regions.

The second topic for the day was on peace education and peace-building which was discussed by Ms. Jayme Uy, Spokesperson, Generation Peace Network and Staff of Center for Peace Education – Miriam College. The discussion started with series of activities to establish the definition of peace and conflict in the participant’s point of view. After the activities, Ms. Uy stressed on the difference of positive and negative peace as well as the levels of peace. She also discussed on the nature of conflict and aggression, on how it can bring negative and positive impact to the lives of the people. Moreover, she also dwelled on defining peace education and how it can change consciousness towards meaningful changes in the society. As GenPeace Spokesperson, she introduced the peace quilt project of GenPeace and encouraged the network to join in this endeavor which stirred interest to the group.

Lunch break was late on this day and so the session for the afternoon started late. Unluckily, the next speaker was also late for the session. Nonetheless, instead of the panel forum, Mr. Romy Halabasso gave an input discussion on the peace processes the government is spearheading. He contextualized his discussion on making the participants understand peace as a national agenda and how the national policy on peace have been shaped over the years. He also discussed the guiding principles of peace process and the development of the six paths to peace as framework for the endeavor for the peace process. Afterwards, he shared the current status of the negotiations and dialogues being held with armed groups in the country. He also provided the group with the programs and projects OPAPP is handling for developmental aid for peace.

In the late afternoon, Prof. Miriam Coronel-Ferrer, Lead Convener of Sulong CARHRIHL proceeded with her participative approach in discussing the peace process. She posted several questions which includes defining peace process, how young people can help and what actions are to be taken. At the end of the sharing session, the group agreed to write a manifesto on young people’s view on the peace process and commitment to call for resumption of peace talks.

On the late afternoon, the participants were divided into three learning groups for the concurrent session on creative expressions. The topics for the concurrent sessions involved basic theater workshop, music writing and doodle arts. At the end of the sessions, the participants were able to come up with their presentation, musical output and art works. Due to time constraint and logistical problems encountered that day, the presentations was postponed for the other days but was not pursued because of the intensive planning session. Thus, it was treated as a personal learning especially in expressing peace and human rights concerns.

The day started with a group activity prepared by the secretariat. The groups were treated to an egg hunting activity which they enjoyed. The groups collected the eggs and answered questions on topics discussed in the previous days.

The discussion for the day started with a forum on CARHRIHL and updates on the agreement presented by Gen. Lina Sarmiento, member of the GRP Monitoring Committee. She represented the GRP MC in behalf of Atty. Sedfrey Candelaria, Chairperson of the GRP MC. The discussion focused on the historical background of which led to the signing of the agreement of the two parties. She stressed on the mandate provided by the national peace policy of the government and preceded on the general overview of the agreement focusing on the human rights and international humanitarian law principles and provisions. She also discussed the mechanisms of the Joint Monitoring Committee to address the violations and to seek retribution and justice.

The strategic planning started with Ms. Joeven Reyes facilitating the conflict, peace and stakeholders analysis in order to map-out the conflict and peace situation of young people and how other stakeholders can affect changes for peace-building. The group used the COPAR peace analysis lens for the workshop. The participants were grouped and worked on the workshop with the following results: :

The groups presented their analysis and intently discussed their issues and concerns.

Afterwards, Mr. Wilson Requez facilitated the assessment of the peace and conflict dynamics workshop. It was done to aid in the formal planning session of the activity.

Due to lack of time, the session for the day was put on hold and the groups worked on their workshops even after the session hours.

The last day of the thematic workshop stated with the discussion on collective experiences of the young people on peace and human rights. Mr. Marco Puzon held series of activities to stir the participants towards realizing the need for collective actions for peace-building among young people.

The participant finally preceeded with the planning proper which was based on their assessment of situations and stakeholders responses for peace advocacy. The result of the planning are as follow:

The group agreed to formalize the national formation of the Sulong CARHRIHL Youth Network with the following present organizations as initial members.

Formation of the steering committee composed of representatives from eight cluster areas such as
The Steering Committee shall be convened to finalize and discuss the plans from the thematic workshop and shall provide the direction setting for the national network.

The activity ended with the awarding of certificates and closing remarks from Sr. Maria Arnold Noel, Co-Convener of Sulong CARHRIHL and Board Member of Balay Rehabilitation Center challenging the young leaders to advocate for peace and CARHRIHL.

Majority of the participants stayed for the night of the last day and was assisted to their send-off for their travel back home by the Sulong CARHRIHL staffs.

Provide documentation of workshop result, documentation and plans for the participants.

Aid the formalization of the steering committee of the youth network by convening an Adhoc Committee which will review the plans as well as plan for the possible Consultative Youth Assembly.
Convene the NCR – based youth organizations in the third week of May to keep them informed on the plans of the national network.
Look for possible
Look for possible publication of advocacy material from the outputs of the participants on creative sessions.