Given your field of work and expertise, I would like to bring your attention to the upcoming Asia Pacific Mediation Forum (APMF) not-for-profit event; "The Asia Pacific Mediation Leadership Summit - From Talk To Action", taking place in Bangkok 2 - 4 December 2011, which brings together mediation and ADR specialists from various fields; including family mediation, commercial and workplace mediation, court-annexed mediation, conflict and community mediation, climate change and disaster response mediation and various cross-sectional themes, like for example human rights, cross-cultural dynamics and women in mediation.
Do have a look at my profile and the Mediation Summit's link (www.mediation-leadership.com) and feel free to email me or send me a message when having any questions regarding participation or collaboration.
He is a Major at the Philippine Army headquarters now. Same surname as I (of course :> ). Maybe you can look him up when you're there. : ) PMA batch '96.
Thank you for the friend request, Ferdinand! What do you do in the AFP? I actually have a brother there too, who's taken the M.A. Conflict and Reconciliation Studies program of Pax Christi Institute along with me. You and he might be able to exchange ideas on your concern better, since you are both privy to the internal dynamics of the military. As for me, I can only share from my perspective as a citizen, peace educator and peace worker.
Thank you very much for making me as your friend. I read all about you and I am envied you because it was my obssession to wear white uniform but perhaps HE did not allow me. However, I just finished my psychology (social/community) and I am undetaking a volunteer work with the Department of Psychiatry, and hoping I wear the white uniform that doctors of medicine wear. That is how simple my happiness is. One of these days, if HE again allow us to cross ourt paths, you as and I as speakers in our dealings in our resepctive places. include me in uour future advocacy. I can share whatever resources that I can extend. Thank you.
Hi! I'm no longer with OPAPP. I'm actually in Brisbane Australia already taking my Masters in Peace Conflict Resolution as part of the Rotary World Peace Fellowship and so I did not renew my contract with OPAPP anymore. I actually don't know if Usec Ramboanga left with our former Sec. Esperon or of he stayed on to serve Sec. Razon. What is your rank now? You said you joined in '92? Did you graduate from PMA then? Most of my friends are in the Army and the Marines. So, sa Fort Bonifacio ka ngayon?
Hi Ferdinand! Just call me Pam. Good to see a Filipino on this network. I am glad you had the opportunity to go to Chulalongkorn. I have many friends in the military since I worked with the Government Negotiating Panel for talks with the CPP/NPA/NDF. What branch of service are you in (army, navy, airforce)? Where are you stationed now?
As to your definition of peace, I would like to focus on working for a positive peace where it is not just the absence of conflict but an environment where individuals and communities are able to live and even die with respect and dignity, where they are able to fully develop their potentials and progress freely, exercising their rights with due regard for the rights of others being equally mindful of their responsibilities. That's what every Filipino I think should aspire for. When we all have and work for that vision, I think a just and lasting peace will be attainable.
You may be aware that a "war on terror" is going on in Sri Lanka.
Your help is solicited in analyzing a set of suggestions prepared by me to bring about peace in Sri Lanka. The concept promoted in these suggestions can be applied in any country.
In Sri Lanka, the trouble started due to discrimination and injustice and continues due to bribery and corruption. These may be the reasons for troubles in other countries too.
Current wars have to be ended and new wars have to be prevented. To achieve this goal the present system of Democratic Governance has to be changed to one that is really democratic in its true sense.
In the present democratic system it is only the powerful - speech, money and thuggery - can join the ruling class to suppress or convert others all others as their subjects and is a fertile ground for "corruption" in various forms to thrive.
In my opinion "Corruption" includes any kind of waste, neglect and every form of malpractice, dishonesty, abuse, misuse, unreasonable exercise of power, failure or refusal to exercise power, anything and everything left undone which results in the right of the people being denied or impaired.
Without a "just society" in existence much talked about "terrorism" cannot be eradicated. For the creation of a "just society" there should be "good governance" in the country. For the creation of "good governance" in the country "corruption" in ALL its forms must be eradicated. And to eradicate "corruption" the present democratic system of governance, where full power to make final decisions ultimately rests in the hands of one person, must be changed.
So the only way to salvage a country is to change the present system of governance to one that is truly democratic where the final decision-making power will NOT be in the hands of ONE person BUT shared by as many people as possible and thus restricting any individual hasty decisions that might lead to trouble everywhere.
To make a country truly democratic, the powers of the Parliament (the decision making supreme body of a country) should be split and separated and each of the separated powers must be handled by different groups of persons selected and elected by the people for the purpose of administering EACH SET OF POWERS or duties as the case may be so that no single group has the full power. All the groups together will make the whole. The country is not divided but the powers of parliament are divided/separated.
Different groups have to be elected for such purposes as administration, fiscal management, planning, implementing, policy and law making, auditing and for any other function that may be deemed necessary.
The group that is entrusted with the power to make laws and regulations shall not be given the duty/power of implementing/administering the laws and regulations.
Particular care should be taken to see that all powers are NOT CONCENTRATED in one place and that they do not overlap and there must not be a secret budget to be handled by a single person.
All transactions should be transparent including Diplomacy which has to be diplomatically transparent.
One set of powers dealing with the development of the country should be given to the set of representatives at the village level. The people of each and every village must be empowered to determine their way of life (lifestyle). The life-style of a village, its lands and resources shall not be disturbed by external forces.
All plans of development of a village that remotely/indirectly affects the village must have the concurrence of the people of that village concerned.
It has to be ensured that people are treated equitably regardless of their gender, race, colour, ethnic or national origins, age, disability, socio-economic background, religious or political beliefs and affiliations, marital status, family responsibilities, sexual orientation or other inappropriate distinction;
The decision-making powers with regard to each and every set of powers must be spread through-out the country.
With such system in practice discrimination, injustice, bribery and corruption, the four pillars of an Evil society might become history.
When the above four pillars of Evil are eradicated, the people would be living under a system that would guarantee sustainable peace, prosperity and a pleasant living to everyone in any country.
Comments on the above views are solicited from everyone with a view to prevent future wars and end current wars.
hello ferdinand! happy new year! Thanks for recognizing my advocacy. I'm glad to be of help in your research. Take care!
You can reach me through this number, 09089300567
Thank you. our community art project for interfaith dialogue and peace consciousness is still in a planning stage, also doing fundraising. I am also testing social networking on this site as i am volunteering to link several peace advocates locally in one network : too many ngos and movements who can possibly work together if everyone knows each one exists. (you know how it is in our country :)
FOR 2009 MAY WE ALL CONTINUE TO PURSUE OUR MISSIONS WITH FERVOR, SHARE OUR LOVE AND THOUGHTS TO OUR LESS FORTUNATE BROTHERS & SISTERS, AND WORK TO FOSTER PEACE AND SOLIDARITY ACROSS THE GLOBE.
There is a lot of work on peacebuilding and accommodation in Northern Ireland—much of which can be sampled from the CAIN website at http://cain.ulst.ac.uk
My own dissertation work examined how changes brought forth by the cease-fires and the Good Friday Agreement led to a shift in self-identification which—I argue—strengthened the peace process to the point where it has withstood, so far, the problems in implementation. Very little of this has been published so far, but one chapter that has been is listed on my page—significant events in the Northern Irish peace process.
In terms of looking at the Philippines, I might suggest you take a look at the peace zones movement in Mindanao. Some excellent work has been done by Ed Garcia, Kevin Avruch & Roberto Jose (with one chapter published in Zones of Peace) edited by Chris Mitchell & myself. One wonders if this type of peace development from below might change the social atmosphere enough to lead to a willingness on the part of political parties to seriously engage in peace talks. So far, I’m not too optimistic enough but the only places where peace zones might have enough momentum would be Colombia and the Philippines.
I hope you find these suggestions helpful and I apologize for the delay in responding to you.
Thank you po for the invite - much appreciated. It's really great for me to stumble on this site and to meet individuals who have the same interests for peacebuilding, etc.
Hi Ferdinand! Nice to hear you're around in Manila. I'm now in the midst of finishing a book, hope this will be published by a major publisher here (my past books were by NGOs). Buddy, will surely be glad to have some nice chat with you in a seminar or even on a separate coffee chat. If you got time, just ring me at 436-2072, let's have some nice exchange somewhere in Gateway Mall, Cubao. Take care, kabayan!
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Ferdinand Buscato's Comments
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Dear Ferdinand,
Given your field of work and expertise, I would like to bring your attention to the upcoming Asia Pacific Mediation Forum (APMF) not-for-profit event; "The Asia Pacific Mediation Leadership Summit - From Talk To Action", taking place in Bangkok 2 - 4 December 2011, which brings together mediation and ADR specialists from various fields; including family mediation, commercial and workplace mediation, court-annexed mediation, conflict and community mediation, climate change and disaster response mediation and various cross-sectional themes, like for example human rights, cross-cultural dynamics and women in mediation.
Do have a look at my profile and the Mediation Summit's link (www.mediation-leadership.com) and feel free to email me or send me a message when having any questions regarding participation or collaboration.
Kind regards,
Dennis Bours
Dear Ferdinand,
Happy to meet you at peace network here.
We can be good friend and partners in peace activities.
Peace.thanks
hope you are well.
Dear Ferdinand:
Thank you very much for making me as your friend. I read all about you and I am envied you because it was my obssession to wear white uniform but perhaps HE did not allow me. However, I just finished my psychology (social/community) and I am undetaking a volunteer work with the Department of Psychiatry, and hoping I wear the white uniform that doctors of medicine wear. That is how simple my happiness is. One of these days, if HE again allow us to cross ourt paths, you as and I as speakers in our dealings in our resepctive places. include me in uour future advocacy. I can share whatever resources that I can extend. Thank you.
ROLANDO
As to your definition of peace, I would like to focus on working for a positive peace where it is not just the absence of conflict but an environment where individuals and communities are able to live and even die with respect and dignity, where they are able to fully develop their potentials and progress freely, exercising their rights with due regard for the rights of others being equally mindful of their responsibilities. That's what every Filipino I think should aspire for. When we all have and work for that vision, I think a just and lasting peace will be attainable.
Your help is solicited in analyzing a set of suggestions prepared by me to bring about peace in Sri Lanka. The concept promoted in these suggestions can be applied in any country.
In Sri Lanka, the trouble started due to discrimination and injustice and continues due to bribery and corruption. These may be the reasons for troubles in other countries too.
Current wars have to be ended and new wars have to be prevented. To achieve this goal the present system of Democratic Governance has to be changed to one that is really democratic in its true sense.
In the present democratic system it is only the powerful - speech, money and thuggery - can join the ruling class to suppress or convert others all others as their subjects and is a fertile ground for "corruption" in various forms to thrive.
In my opinion "Corruption" includes any kind of waste, neglect and every form of malpractice, dishonesty, abuse, misuse, unreasonable exercise of power, failure or refusal to exercise power, anything and everything left undone which results in the right of the people being denied or impaired.
Without a "just society" in existence much talked about "terrorism" cannot be eradicated. For the creation of a "just society" there should be "good governance" in the country. For the creation of "good governance" in the country "corruption" in ALL its forms must be eradicated. And to eradicate "corruption" the present democratic system of governance, where full power to make final decisions ultimately rests in the hands of one person, must be changed.
So the only way to salvage a country is to change the present system of governance to one that is truly democratic where the final decision-making power will NOT be in the hands of ONE person BUT shared by as many people as possible and thus restricting any individual hasty decisions that might lead to trouble everywhere.
To make a country truly democratic, the powers of the Parliament (the decision making supreme body of a country) should be split and separated and each of the separated powers must be handled by different groups of persons selected and elected by the people for the purpose of administering EACH SET OF POWERS or duties as the case may be so that no single group has the full power. All the groups together will make the whole. The country is not divided but the powers of parliament are divided/separated.
Different groups have to be elected for such purposes as administration, fiscal management, planning, implementing, policy and law making, auditing and for any other function that may be deemed necessary.
The group that is entrusted with the power to make laws and regulations shall not be given the duty/power of implementing/administering the laws and regulations.
Particular care should be taken to see that all powers are NOT CONCENTRATED in one place and that they do not overlap and there must not be a secret budget to be handled by a single person.
All transactions should be transparent including Diplomacy which has to be diplomatically transparent.
One set of powers dealing with the development of the country should be given to the set of representatives at the village level. The people of each and every village must be empowered to determine their way of life (lifestyle). The life-style of a village, its lands and resources shall not be disturbed by external forces.
All plans of development of a village that remotely/indirectly affects the village must have the concurrence of the people of that village concerned.
It has to be ensured that people are treated equitably regardless of their gender, race, colour, ethnic or national origins, age, disability, socio-economic background, religious or political beliefs and affiliations, marital status, family responsibilities, sexual orientation or other inappropriate distinction;
The decision-making powers with regard to each and every set of powers must be spread through-out the country.
With such system in practice discrimination, injustice, bribery and corruption, the four pillars of an Evil society might become history.
When the above four pillars of Evil are eradicated, the people would be living under a system that would guarantee sustainable peace, prosperity and a pleasant living to everyone in any country.
Comments on the above views are solicited from everyone with a view to prevent future wars and end current wars.
You can reach me through this number, 09089300567
FOR 2009 MAY WE ALL CONTINUE TO PURSUE OUR MISSIONS WITH FERVOR, SHARE OUR LOVE AND THOUGHTS TO OUR LESS FORTUNATE BROTHERS & SISTERS, AND WORK TO FOSTER PEACE AND SOLIDARITY ACROSS THE GLOBE.
BIG BANG OF HOPE!
BRO. ERLE ARGONZA / GURU RA
There is a lot of work on peacebuilding and accommodation in Northern Ireland—much of which can be sampled from the CAIN website at http://cain.ulst.ac.uk
My own dissertation work examined how changes brought forth by the cease-fires and the Good Friday Agreement led to a shift in self-identification which—I argue—strengthened the peace process to the point where it has withstood, so far, the problems in implementation. Very little of this has been published so far, but one chapter that has been is listed on my page—significant events in the Northern Irish peace process.
In terms of looking at the Philippines, I might suggest you take a look at the peace zones movement in Mindanao. Some excellent work has been done by Ed Garcia, Kevin Avruch & Roberto Jose (with one chapter published in Zones of Peace) edited by Chris Mitchell & myself. One wonders if this type of peace development from below might change the social atmosphere enough to lead to a willingness on the part of political parties to seriously engage in peace talks. So far, I’m not too optimistic enough but the only places where peace zones might have enough momentum would be Colombia and the Philippines.
I hope you find these suggestions helpful and I apologize for the delay in responding to you.
Bhimsen
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