Wednesday, October 8, 2008

The 6th Regional Peace Forum: “Perspective on Children Affected by Armed Conflict” (the proceedings)

The most awaited annual event of the Peace Studies Department– The Regional Peace Forum– finally happened on December 06, 2007, held at the South Ocean Villa Restaurant located, Legazpi City.
This forum organized by the Junior Peace Advocates headed by its President Mr. John Michael Ojano and The Peace Odyssey’ Editor -In- Chief Mr. Manuel T. Perez Jr. as the Chairman of the Program Committee, together with our beloved and hardworking Department Chairman Dr. Herbert B. Rosana, and the energetic and equally intelligent professors namely Prof. Lloyd V. Berdin, Prof Gina M. Oropesa, the adviser of the JPA, and Prof. Engelbert B. Reolo, the adviser of the Peace Odyssey.
The Forum was participated by different government and non-government organization, agencies and academic institutions. Respected and distinguished personalities were also around during the forum such as the Director of the Commission on Human Rights and the Director of the Philippine Coalition to Stop the Use of Children as Soldiers (PCSUCS) as the guest speakers, the President of the Bicol University, the Dean of the College of Social Sciences and Philosophy, representative from Philippine National Police and DILG. Students from Gubat Extension Program, Students from Polangui Campus, Officers from different Year level Organizations (YLO’s), the University Based Organizations (UBO’s) and the Peace Studies Students were also present.
In the morning of December 6, a faculty workshop was conducted at Narra-5 building of CSSP. Said workshop was organized by Dr. Herbert B. Rosana who serves as The Chairman of the Faculty Workshop and Mr. Marco Puzon, as the resource person, who is the director of the Philippine Coalition to Stop the Use of Children as Soldiers.
The Participants arrived at 9:45 to 9:58 and it formally starts at exactly 10:00 A.M. Dr. Herbert B. Rosana introduced the resource speaker. The discussion started in the CIAC or the Children involved in Armed Conflict, he elaborated the lack of services in the rural places, for instance the Day Care Center which is one of the instruments in molding the minds of the children. He also said that the insufficiency and lack of support and basic services from the government were filled in and being provided by the left party. Mr. Puzon stated that the access to information is another reason why children can easily be influenced in joining a certain armed group. He further discussed R.A. 7610, IPRA, UN CRC, and other pertinent laws relevant to the protection of a child involved in armed conflict. The faculty members generously listened & Participated in the discussion.
The discussion ends at 11:40 am and followed by a sumptuous lunch for the Faculty members prepared by the Peace Studies Department.
1:30 P.M. The 6th Regional Peace Forum started with Flag raising to sing the Philippine National Anthem. Thereafter, the University President delivered her heartwarming Welcome Address. She thanks the speakers for making themselves available during the said activity, and of Course! The Peace Odyssey for being an instrument of the said activity. The introduction of the participants was made by Prof. Gina M. Oropesa. Dr. Rosana gave the Mechanics and the Rationale of the forum. Dr. Frias, CSSP Dean, introduced the speakers. The Director of PCSUCS, Mr. Marco Puzon and the Director of the Commission of Human Rights- Region V, Atty. Pelagio Señar.
At exactly 2:49 the second speaker, Atty. Pelagio Señar starts the discussion on Children’s Rights.
At 3:42. Prof. Engelbert B. Reolo Introduces the Panel of Reactors, to wit: Mr. Renato L. Madrideo a representative from the Department of Interior and Local Government. Ms. Genelyn Nagrampa, a Regional Cordinator for Bicolana- Gabriela. Police Supt. Eliciar L. Bron, Public Information Officer PNP-Region V. Ms. Geraldine Piamonte, Regional Coordinator of The College Editor’s Guild of the Philippines from Ateneo De Naga University; and the President of the College Student Council of the CSSP, Mr. Rex A. Ubac. An open forum followed thereafter. Dr. Herbert Rosana serves as the Moderator. It ends at 5:00pm, and then followed by the Recap of the Proceedings given by Editor-in-Chief of the Peace Odyssey, Mr. Manuel T. Perez Jr
The awarding of certificates to the Resource person and to the panel of reactors, followed with Dr. Herbert Rosana, Department Chairman, Prof. Gina M. Oropesa, JPA Adviser, Mr. John Michael Ojano, JPA President, and Mr. Manuel T. Perez Jr., Chairman of the Program Committee. The Program ends at 5:45pm………Souvenirs for the participants were given away...
At exactly 2:49 the second speaker, Atty. Pelagio Señar starts the discussion on Children’s Rights.
At 3:42. Prof. Engelbert B. Reolo Introduces the Panel of Reactors, to wit: Mr. Renato L. Madrideo a representative from the Department of Interior and Local Government. Ms. Genelyn Nagrampa, a Regional Cordinator for Bicolana- Gabriela. Police Supt. Eliciar L. Bron, Public Information Officer PNP-Region V. Ms. Geraldine Piamonte, Regional Coordinator of The College Editor’s Guild of the Philippines from Ateneo De Naga University; and the President of the College Student Council of the CSSP, Mr. Rex A. Ubac.
An open forum followed thereafter. Dr. Herbert Rosana serves as the Moderator. It ends at 5:00pm, and then followed by the Recap of the Proceedings given by Editor-in-Chief of the Peace Odyssey, Mr. Manuel T. Perez Jr.
The awarding of certificates to the Resource person and to the panel of reactors, followed with Dr. Herbert Rosana, Department Chairman, Prof. Gina M. Oropesa, JPA Adviser, Mr. John Michael Ojano, JPA President, and Mr. Manuel T. Perez Jr., Chairman of the Program Committee. The Program ends at 5:45pm………Souvenirs for the participants were given away...

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