PLDT links up youth for peace in Mindanao
MANILA, Philippines, February 20, 2006 – Efforts to promote Christian-Muslim dialogue in the country have gone hi-tech.
Last month, some 300 young people in Manila and 22 youth leaders in Cotobato City were able to see and talk to each other as they shared personal experiences and frank views about the communal conflict that has plagued the country for decades.
Dubbed “Ugnay Kabataan,” the lively two-day conference took place despite the hundreds of kilometers that separated the two groups of students. The distance was bridged by broadband communications technology supplied for free by PLDT.
Television cameras and high-quality microphones in the two venues – the William Shaw Little Theater in De La Salle University in Manila and the St. Joseph Retreat House in Cotobato City – captured the images and sounds that were transmitted back and forth real-time via PLDT high-speed leased lines. Digital projectors and audio equipment in both venues enabled the conference participants to see and hear each other clearly, allowing for animated conversations.
“This is called videoconferencing and it is routinely used by companies to hold meetings or conferences of people located in different places. In this case, broadband technology was placed in the service of the pursuit of peace,” said Ramon R. Isberto, PLDT corporate affairs head.
Robin Pettyfer, a Canadian journalist who first conceived of the event, said Ugnay Kabataan on the overall was a success.
“Considering that it is a pilot project, we are all very satisfied with the results. It raised awareness about peace building and fostered greater understanding between Mindanao and Manila, between Muslims and Christians,” he said.
“The majority of participants said that a live dialogue on a video screen added interest and interaction to the conference,” said Pettyfer who lived in the Philippines from 1997 to 1999.
Moreover, videoconferencing made it possible to virtually assemble a large gathering of people from distant locations without incurring large transportation and lodging costs.
Aside from hosting the event, DLSU invited participants from Adamson University, Colegio de Sta. Ana, Colegio de St. Rosa, De La Salle – College of St. Benilde, De La Salle Araneta University, De La Salle Lipa, De La Salle University – Dasmarina, Guadalupe Catholic School, La Salle Greenhills, Lourdes School of Mandaluyong, Manila Cathedral School, Miriam College, Our Lady of Peace School, Pateros Catholic School, Quiapo Parochial School, St. Anthony’s School, St. Joseph’s School and International School Manila.
The youth in Mindanao came from the Sanctuaries of Peace, which are communities supported by the Assisi Development Foundation, United Youth of the Philippines, United Youth for Peace and Development, Educational and Livelihood Skills Alliance of the Ayala Foundation, Solidarity Network for Justice and Peace, National Democratic Institute and Moros, Maguindanaos, Maranaos and members of the Lumad tribes in Mindanao.
The other organizers and supporters of the event included Senator Ramon Magsaysay, Jr., International School Manila and Assisi Development Foundation President Benjie Abadiano.
The Assisi Development Foundation will follow up the videoconference with youth peace camps later this year.