Happy reunion of peace builders at the opening night. More photos

“We made it!” This was among the happy and vibrant expressions of most foreign guests who arrived October 26 at the Balay Mindanaw Peace Center and joined everyone just like any family reunion to participate in the Action Asia Peace Builders’ Forum.

Fifty-one peace builders from all over Asia, as well as a few from Africa, finally gathered here in Mindanao for the first time to celebrate peace, share not only stories but also knowledge learned, and stay connected with one another as a way of building peace.

Organized by the Action Asia, this forum is a dream come true, especially to its coordinator, Emma Leslie, who has been with this network since its beginning in 1999. She welcomed all the delegates who came all the way from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, East Timor, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, South Africa, Cambodia, Somalia, Myanmar, Japan, Kenya, Indonesia, including the Philippines.

The forum started at Balay Mindanaw’s peace deck with an opening night of welcome, solidarity and celebration among friends and peace builders. Emma Leslie made a cheery opening while Kaloy Manlupig gave a welcoming introduction of Balay Mindanaw as the local host of the forum. The Integrated Performing Arts Guild (IPAG), the award-winning and internationally renowned residence theater company of the Mindanao State University-Iligan Institute of Technology, presented a spectacular performance showcasing the rich and colorful culture of Mindanao that received standing ovation from the delegates.

A belated birthday celebration for Johan Galtung, who just turned 76. More photos

What made the forum even more remarkable and memorable was the keynote speech given by the father of peace studies, Johan Galtung. His simple but brilliant insights inspired all the delegates, guests and staff of Balay Mindanaw. After sharing his salient encounters in every country represented by each of the delegates, he advised everyone to keep on working for peace.

For the next four days, the delegates will be tackling workshops on conflict resolution, nationalism and identity in Cambodia, building relationships between Christians and Buddhists, Nepalese private sector responding to conflict, community reconciliation, impact of community-based peace building, women and peace and the reconciliation process in northeast Asia.