USM and UVPN Hold Exploratory Meeting for Future Collaboration on Peacebuilding Initiatives

The University of Southern Mindanao (USM) through the office of the Vice President, Research, Development & Extension, led by Dr. Debbie Marie B. Verzosa, and the Extension Services Office (ESO), spearheaded by Dr. Glyn G. Magbanua, welcomed the United Voices for Peace Network (UVPN), Inc. for exploratory meeting for anticipated partnership in promoting civic education, youth leadership, and democratic participation on October 14, 2024, at the Office of the Vice President for Research, Development & Extension.

UVPN, a BARMM-based organization led by Hamodi Lao Tiboron, CPA, is dedicated to fostering lasting peace, justice, and development in Mindanao. The organization is currently expanding its network by partnering with local organizations and state universities and colleges to enhance the reach of its programs and projects. The meeting was held to discuss opportunities of mutually working towards strengthening youth engagement in nation-building and fostering democratic values in Mindanao and the Philippines as a whole. 

To achieve this initiative UVPN, establishes links with funding agencies like the British Embassy, USAID and The Asia Society, and with higher education institutions in delivering youth-oriented services such as voter’s education and civic involvement. The organization is likewise keen on reviewing Bangsamoro narratives with the aim of moving forward and away from extremist ideologies. Moreover, UVPN intends to establish a civic hub in the university in order to sustain initiatives geared towards continuous peace building and to ensure that modules and other Information Education and Communication (IEC) materials about peace are easily accessible.

This initiative is part of preparation for 2025 Parliamentary Election in the BARMM, a system that was adopted as part of the Peace Negotiations between the MILF and the Philippine Government. The activities initially conceptualized between UVPN and USM do not exclusively target Muslim youth as beneficiary but all youth regardless of their gender and religion, residing in the BARMM. The USM and the said organization is anticipated to meet again for signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) in the first week of November.