Peace-Loving Global Leaders' Capacity Building
Written by: Merly Barlaan
On April 28, 2023, the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) of the Philippines under the leadership of Commissioner Joe Mark Libre, collaborated with WFWPI’s Office for UN Relations in New York to provide a one-day in-person and online leadership training workshop entitled, “Peace-Loving Global Leaders' Capacity Building.” The workshop was hosted by Bohol Island State University mandated by CHED Commissioner Dr. Jo Mark Libre under the auspices of CHED Jose Rizal Model Leadership and Development Program (CJMML) with the aim to equip university and college leaders and student leaders with the skills and knowledge to become peace-loving global leaders.
One hundred participants attended in person and more than one hundred participated online consisting of University Presidents, Vice Presidents, Deans, Directors of Students Affairs and Services, Students Regents, as well as presidents and officers of Supreme Student Governments from 24 state colleges and universities in the Philippines.
Commissioner Jo Mark M. Libre recognized the critical role of educational institutions in shaping the values and behaviors of students and educators. His goal is to equip the Filipino youth with the necessary tools and knowledge to become key players in nation-building and peacebuilding in the global arena.
The trainers were; Ms. Merly Barlaan, Director of WFWPI Office for UN Relations - New York and Dr. Robert Kittel, Director of Education of the Universal Peace Federation - Asia Pacific. The speakers also highlighted the vision, peace philosophies, programs and activities of WFWPI and UPF’s founders. Mrs. Barlaan delivered a presentation on WFWPI’s Leadership of Heart paradigm and WFWPI’s initiatives in promoting the United Nations Declaration on the Right to Development. The afternoon session was a workshop on a holistic community development framework.
Some of the topics addressed several pressing issues, including the problem of communist recruitment on campuses, promoting interfaith and intercultural dialogue, and developing a Peace Studies/Education curriculum based on CHED Memorandum Order No. 1. Through this workshop, the Philippine higher education system is reaffirming its commitment to training the youth for nation-building and empowering them to become key players in building a peaceful world.
It was an inspiring and hopeful collaboration model particularly such full manpower, financial, institutional support and investment from the government and education sector toward the civil society organization such as WFWP International.
