The Philippines has suffered two major armed conflicts during the past four decades: a country-wide communist insurgency, and a self-determination struggle by Muslim communities in the southern island of Mindanao. Conciliation Resources has been working with conflict parties and affected communities to contribute to the ongoing peace talks and address the multiple, intertwined layers of conflict. We work with the belief that if the peace building capacities of local civil society are developed and people have a better understanding of how lessons from other contexts can be applied to their own situation, a more just and lasting peace can be achieved.
On 7 October 2012, there was a historic peace breakthrough in the form of a Framework Agreement on the Bangsamoro. Conciliation Resources, as part of the International Contact Group (ICG) – a group of foreign states and international non-governmental organisations that assists in the peace process between the Government of the Republic of the Philippines (GPH) and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) – commends the two Parties for reaching the historic agreement aimed at ending decades of brutal fighting in Mindanao, Philippines.
Contributing to peace processes in the Philippines
Conciliation Resources works with all sections of Filipino society from grassroots communities to the political elite, enabling individuals and organisations to play a constructive, problem-solving role in developing peace in the Philippines. Through our Dialogue Series and Philippines and Colombia exchange visits, we also promote a better understanding of how the Filipino peace processes can both learn from and contribute to peace processes elsewhere. Since 2011 we have placed a special emphasis on Women, Peace and Security.
As a member of the International Contact Group, we have provided mediation support to the Malaysian facilitator of the peace talks between the Government of the Philippines and the Moro Islamic