Promoting dialogue and stability in the Philippines

Context

Mindanao, in the southern Philippines, has long been plagued by conflict and violence due to unequal access to resources, marginalisation of various population groups, clan disputes, and sporadic clashes between non-state actors and the Philippine military. These issues have led to deep inequality, widespread poverty, and limited political representation.

Nevertheless, significant milestones have been achieved, including the 2014 peace agreement between the Philippine government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front, followed by the successful 2019 plebiscite, which established the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM). Despite these achievements, challenges remain in building BARMM institutions, disarming ex-combatants, and fostering civil society participation in the peace process. Additionally, the poor enforcement of indigenous people’s rights has allowed exploitation of ancestral lands and further forced internal displacement.

Objective

Communities affected by conflict and displacement in the Philippines engage non-violently in peace processes, assert their rights and needs, while governments increasingly uphold the rule of law and fulfill their mandate to serve these communities.

Approach

The project collaborates with partner organisations in Mindanao, particularly in BARMM and Caraga, to support communities affected by conflicts and displacements. The project deploys local and international peace advisors to work with government and civil society partners, enhancing the communities’ abilities to promote peace, foster dialogue, and improve legal certainty.

Important interventions include:

• Empowering local peacebuilders and developing non-violent conflict resolution strategies
• Facilitating durable solutions for displacement through dialogue and learning platforms
• Supporting its partners in analysis, research, advocacy, and conflict sensitive journalism and media (CSJM) to enhance peace efforts.

Last update: August 2024