Peace Advocacy and Dialogue as a Pathway to Peace Myla Leguro Catholic Relief Services

What is peacebuilding? Present Desiredfuture Peacebuilding Activities (Analysis) (Visioning ) Everything in between the present and desired future Values consistent with ends Values consistent with ends process consistent with the ends process consistent with the ends Structures consistent with the ends Structures consistent with the ends Jon Rudy, PeaceBuildingGlobal.com

Peacebuilding Present Desiredfuture Activities (Analysis) (Visioning ) PERSONAL PERSONAL RELATIONALRELATIONAL STRUCTURALSTRUCTURAL CULTURALCULTURAL Jon Rudy, PeaceBuildingGlobal.com

Advocacy An organized political process to change policies, practices, ideas, and values that perpetuate inequality, prejudice, and exclusion. Efforts to strengthen citizen’s capacity as decision-makers and builds more accountable and equitable institutions of power. Promoting relevant social and political themes on the public agenda.

ADVOCACY SPEAKING IN BEHALF OF THE VOICELESS ( REPRESENTATION) ENCOURAGING OTHERS TO SPEAK UP (MOBILIZATION) SUPPORTING THE VOICELESS TO SPEAK FOR THEMSELVES ( EMPOWERMENT) (Mindanao Commission on Women)

ADVOCACY STRATEGIC -need to do research and plan SERIES OF ACTIONS -set of coordinated activities DESIGNED TO PERSUADE - use ideas or provide arguments that convince people that the desired change is important and they will support it

ADVOCACY TARGETED -aim persuasion efforts at specific people who have the power to make our advocacy campaign successful BUILD ALLIANCES -work with many stakeholders to increase the impact of campaign RESULTS IN CHANGE - must result in positive change in the lives of the people affected by the problem

Advocacy in Peacebuilding Agenda setting by local civil society actors (bringing themes to the national agenda) Lobbying for civil society involvement in peace negotiations Creating public pressure Broadening support and practice of peace, peace process, culture of peace

PEACE Advocacy 1.Nonpublic advocacy – communicating with the political apparatus in private, bringing issues in peace talks through informal dialogues, diplomatic channels, or key political actors. 2.Public communication – claims and demands are made in public via demonstrations, press releases, petitions, statements, lobbying

LET US PRACTICE

Some Important Tools and Processes Assessment and Analysis Context Analysis Stakeholder Mapping /Mapping of Forces Problem and Issue Identification and Analysis Research

Some Important Tools and Processes Advocacy Planning Advocacy Issue Vision and objectives Indicators of success Key Messages Target (primary, secondary) Advocacy strategies

Peace Advocacy and Dialogue

Civil society and peacebuilding Protection Monitoring Advocacy Socialization Social Cohesion Facilitation Service Delivery

Civil society PEACEBUILDING ROLES 1.Protection of citizens against violence from all parties; 2.Monitoring of human rights violations, the implementation of peace agreements, etc.; 3.Advocacy for peace and human rights; 4.Socialization to values of peace and democracy as well as to develop the in-group identity of marginalized groups; 5.Inter-group social cohesion by bringing people together from adversarial groups; 6.Facilitation of dialogue on the local and national level between all sorts of actors; 7.Service delivery to create entry points for peacebuilding, i.e. for the six above functions

Dialogue in the Context of Mindanao Horizontal -Dialogue within each group -Dialogue with other groups Vertical - Communities with government and other important peace actors

DIALOGUE PURPOSE - VISION Building a Vision for the FUTURE LONG-TERM Negotiating a SOLUTION Dialogue to UNDERSTAND well Joint Fact-Finding Right Information Together IMMEDIATE SOLUTION IMPROVE UNDERSTANDING ACCURATE INFORMATION

Dialogue – the Akido Principle Know yourself – What is my stand regarding the issue? – Why am I having this view (or feeling) of the issue? Go and meet the other – Share who you are – Listen to the other – Celebrate the similarities (Yehey!) – Wonder at the differences (Aha!) – A genuine conversation Plan the future together – Building a tolerant community Mohammed Abu-Nimer

Process of Peaceful Dialogue make a safe place agree on the objectives of the dialogue use correct/right appropriate skills in communication lay down all the cards relationship centered remain in the strength of disposition/ be firm in your stand be prepared to the new results/ changes resulted from dialogue

Examples of Dialogue Initiatives 1.Interreligious dialogue formations/structures in various parts of Mindanao 2.Dialogue through peace trainings and workshops 3.Dialogue in concrete projects 4.Dialogue in concrete negotiations between conflicting parties Beyond Intractability

Core group fornation Focus Group Discussions Formation of BCPTF IP Peace Summit Formation of Moro core group Moro Peace Summit Key leaders’ meetings Moro-Lumad Peace Summit Lumad Process Moro Process Joint Process Continuing grassroots peace process- local peace covenants Moro – Lumad Dialogue Process Bityara- Kallintad

Dialogue fails when: Not having the right attitude Not the right timing Not the right partner Not enough preparation

Nurture creativity, inspiration, imagination and vision Bless each other’s work Peace as a goal and peace within the immediate reality