SR. MARILOU GUILLANO GOES TO SEARSOLIN
 

            The whole month of October 2008, Sr. Marilou J. Guillano, F.I. had her training in South East Asia Rural Social Leadership Institute (SEARSOLIN) in Cagayan de Oro City on: Peace Building Approaches to Development and Regional Issues. The participants’ heart and mind were opened and broadened especially on the on- going issues and conflicts in their own respective countries.  They were taught on how to use peaceful means in solving conflicts.  They were eleven participants to this module with d Sr. Marilou as the only Filipina in the group. The other participants were Daniel, Yakut, Stephen Naw Din and Rev.Tin Maung Myint – Myanmar; Keosavai Phommalasy - Laos Teresa Tao - China; Mai Thi Lan Huong – Vietnam; Sopheak Tek – Combodia, Rev.Patrick Kyalo Munuve – Kenya; and Bro.Thaddeus Duong Tha, S.J.- East Timor
           
           Very interesting and insightful topics were taken up such as: Self-Transformation and Change by Rehka Nahar from Bangladesh;  Building a Culture of Peace by Myrna Abonawan Siose;  Why we are for Peace and Biblical Basis of Peace by Bishop Antonio Ledesma, SJ;  Peace Building Tools and Strategies by  Rudy Rodil;  Peace and Conflict Transformation; Strategies for Conflict Transformation by Saturnina Rodil;  Media Advocacy for Peace by Uriel Quilinquing;  Disaster Management by Titus Kuuyuor from Ghana and lastly, Global Issues that Affect Peace and Security by Fr. Josenilo Labra, SJ, Director of SEARSOLIN.
 
            They were also exposed to the different Peace Building Advocacy agencies here in Mindanao like the MUCAARD, BALAY-Mindanao, SILSILAH, PAGKIDAET, and BIRTH-DEV. They also visited the Parish of Linawon in Iligan, where the Christians-Muslim people were sheltered during the ongoing war between the government armies and MILF because of the failure of the signing of MOA. It was instilled in their minds and hearts that the result of war or conflict becomes detrimental to the development of the people. Many civilians suffered so much. Development is very hard to achieve because there is no peace and harmony among the people. Therefore, dialogue, transparency and clear communication are very important to resolve the conflict.

 

            They learned that peace is more than the absence of war or overt violence.  It is also the REALIZATION OF JUSTICE, where respect for fundamental rights and freedom of persons is experienced.  Working for peace is working for the kind of relationship among persons, groups and institutions (social, political, economic, cultural, and educational) that PROMOTES THE WELL-BEING AND DEVELOPMENT of all persons, thereby, enhancing the very culture of individual and community.  Such well-being includes basic human necessities such as food, clothing, and shelter and capabilities development.

           According to Archbishop Antonio Ledesma, S.J., of Cagayan de Oro who was also one of their speakers, said that the  promotion of Peace is God’s gift and man’s task; it is the material and spiritual well-being of everybody as sons and daughters of
God”.  And we are for PEACE because:
·        Peace is a basic attribute of God.
·        Peace represents the fullness of life
·        Peace is the goal of life in society, as in the messianic vision of society
·        The promise of peace that runs through the Old Testament finds its fulfillment in the person of Jesus in the New Testament.
·        The peace of Christ in the first place reconciliation with the Father, and then reconciliation with one’s brothers and sisters
·        As with the early Christians, we are called to live a life in the Spirit where peace reigns.
·        Working for peace can not be separated from announcing the Gospel, which is the “good news of peace”
·        Peace is the fruit of justice; it is also the fruit of love and solidarity.

 

They ended the one month module on PEACE with a self-transformation and a great challenge on their part to work and be agents of peace when they go back to their own respective countries and communities.

“PEACE IS DEVELOPMENT; WITHOUT PEACE THERE IS NO DEVELOPMENT”.