To promote peace and respond to the alarming instances of violent extremism in Mindanao, a regional hub that aims to be an online and offline platform for positive messages and alternative narratives was launched in two satellite areas this month.
The Kutawato Messaging Hub (MH) was launched at The Moropreneur Inc., Cotabato City on September 20; while the SOX (Soccsksargen) MH was launched at the Mindanao State University – General Santos City (MSU-GSC), as part of the National Peace Month and International Peace Day celebration on September 25.
The Messaging Hub is a convergence platform for positive social change movements in Mindanao. It seeks to collaborate with stakeholders in the region to create a venue for knowledge-sharing, build an information ecosystem, capacitate peace influencers, and create powerful advocacies for peace.
“The Philippines has witnessed the rise of violent extremist ideologies circulating in our communities and in the media for the past few years,” said Equal Access International-Philippines’ (EAI-PH) Country Director Salic Sharief, Jr.
Sharief emphasized the need to transform these kinds of ideologies to functional parts of the community through the power of a positive and peaceful message.
“We at EAI-PH believe that there is strength in our diversity and if we all come together as partners in peace, we can build community resilience, collaboration on program interventions, and share best practices,” he added.
During both launches, highlights of the planning workshop and road map for the next three years were presented, and the official MH marker was unveiled.
To oversee and manage a regional MH, a host organization and a Technical Working Group (TWG) were consulted and established in each regional node. MSU-GSC will serve as the SOX MH’s host organization while TMI, Inc. is Kutawato MH’s host organization.
MSU-GSC is a state university based in General Santos City, South Cotabato, Philippines, considered to be the only state university in the country with a special mandate of integrating cultural communities in Mindanao into its academic framework.
Meanwhile, TMI Inc. is a non-profit organization that provides comprehensive capacity building and empowerment programs to tri-people (Bangsamoro, IPs and settlers).
“Why are we pushing for the messaging hub? To have a safe space for every one of us–for every concerned citizen whether Bangsamoro, IP, or settler–to share their thoughts and opinions on how to solve problems. This way, we can make sure that all the programs will be relevant because it is coming from the people themselves who carry real issues, real conversations, and real goals to pursue,” said TMI Executive Director Selahuddin Yu Hashim.
TWG members of the MH come from government agencies, non-government organizations, academe, and sectoral representatives from the youth, church, women, media, and the business sector.
Starting with partners from EAI-Ph’s Formative Research, Stakeholder’s Workshop, including the graduates of the program’s Tech Camps, the messaging hub will bring together collaborators to expand their advocacies and works for peace and development in Mindanao.
