Th e C o o p e r a t i o n

CIRCLE
Interfaith Action for a Culture of Peace
A United Religions Initiative in South East Asia and the Pacific Vol. IV. No.1 January - June 2009

URI SEAPac Holds 5th Regional

Assembly in Mindanao GLOBAL COUNCIL and
STAFF MEETING HIGHLIGHTS
Building Regional Teamwork and Strengthening Leadership was the theme of the URI’s Staff and Trustees from around the world
5th Regional Assembly of the United Religions Initiative South East Asia and the converged at the Vallombrosa Retreat Center
Pacific Region held from March 15-21, 2009. Hosted by Pakigdait CC, the Assembly outside San Francisco, USA for the annual Global
took place at the Mindanao Civic Center in Tubod, Lanao del Norte, Philippines. Staff and Global Council meetings on June 5-12,
2009.
Marked as the longest Regional Assembly and meeting so far, the week-long event Guided by the vision of bringing a unique light of
combined various activities. The week started with a Sacred Opening followed by a interfaith cooperation for peace, justice and healing into the
Teambuilding workshop, then the Leadership training program conducted by world expressed in URI’s Charter, the diverse group
Peacemakers’ Circle CC. The Strategic Planning and Resource Mobilization meeting of leaders and staff worked together along with
followed towards the end of the week. The first Moral Imagination Workshop for the the President’s Council in mutual affection
and deep commitment to look ahead to the
year entitled “Engaging the Moral Imagination in Community Dialogue and future and how URI will grow in impact and
Peacebuilding” capped it off. size.
Building Commitment to the URI Vision and Mission The Southeast Asia and the Pacific region
was represented by the Regional Chair
Christian, Muslim, Buddhist, Hindu, and Sikh prayers were offered during the opening Musa Sanguila, Trustee Marites Guingona
Africa, and the Regional Coordinator Shakun-
rituals. Symbolic of each one’s contribution and commitment to URI’s vision and tala Vaswani. Trusteee Amir Farid
mission, Charles Gibbs (Executive Director of the United Religions Initiative), Marites Isahak from Malaysia was
Guingona –Africa (Global Council Trustee and outgoing Chairperson of the Regional unable to participate due to the
Council), and Musa Sanguila (Regional Trustee and host of the assembly) lighted three H1N1 quarantine restrictions in his
candles. It was followed by offering of water and flower from each CC leader and country.
declaring “On behalf of all the members of (CC NAME), I offer this flower as a symbol of The Regional teams shared
our spiritual bond with the URI Family.” highlights of their work, their
challenges and aspirations for the
The Program opened with Rev. Fr. Reggie Quijano, Pakigdait Chairman and Abel Moya, future and worked on drafting a
Programs Director of Pakigdait CC, conducting the Team Building activities which three year plan for regional growth
required the delegates to prove their team building and leadership skills. and funding.
A highlight of the week was a visit to the
“What resources and capabilities do we need to bring into being the future that we can URI’s office, a photo stop at the Golden Gate
imagine?,” Marites Africa (of the Peacemakers’ Circle CC) asked the delegates as she Bridge and an interfaith ceremony at the
guided everyone through the Leadership workshop based on on the URI PPP and Interfaith Center at the Presidio where the fifty-five people who
facilitated how the delegates can envision the way they can work together and develop participated in URI’s first global summit in 1996 held an interfaith
ceremony.
an inspired action plan for the growth of the region based on how URI is now. The
workshop had a mix of interaction and creative activities among the delegates. The gathering ended with expressions of gratitude for the
(Continued on next page) privilege to pray, sing, and work together - united in the
intention to be the change we wish to see in the world.

URI is a grassroots, bridge - building organization that believes when people’s passions and initiative are organized, connected and shared,
they can create a sustaining global force for good through a unique organizing model called the Cooperation Circle
 URI SEAPac Holds 5th Regional Assembly (continued from page 1)
Firming up the Regional Functions

editorial* The Regional team sat down together for

The Cooperation Circles or CCs are the backbone of the United
Religions Initiative (URI) around the globe. An estimate of about
400 cooperation circles have been continuously working for
peace and justice through interfaith dialogues, friendship
initiatives, education and media. Each one plays a crucial role as
a forefront of the URI hub in engaging the world in more than 70
countries.
brainstorming and review of specific functions and
roles. The Strategic Planning Session rounded up
highlights of the past meetings and outlined the
strategies of the region for the year: Building &
Strengthening Regional Coordinating Office;
Building Regional Teamwork and Strengthening; and
Supporting Local CC Projects and Regional Peace
Building. A special Resource Mobilization overview was
given by Ted Juanite, the Resource Mobilization Officer of Pakigdait
CC, as he guided the regional members about fundraising. The most serious process of
all was the whole day review and revision of the Regional Council’s By-Laws
which were carefully prepared by Boni Quirog of the Bohol Goodwill
Volunteers CC.

For URI to continue its advocacy to “heal the world”, the CCs
should be strengthened since both capacity and sustainability
have been major issues confronted by many of the CCs. Thus,
how can CCs be strengthened for such? It is important that each
CC will be guided by and adhere to the Preamble, Purpose and
Principles of the URI as its reflective replica on the ground. And
while adherence to the PPP is very important, it is also crucial that
transparency be promoted in CC operations. Since transparency
in many ways works to ensure responsible and responsive
constituency, it also serve as a nurturing tool in communicating
clearer motivations and sincere intentions.
Engaging the Moral Imagination
The final activity of the Regional Assembly was a public
workshop – forum on John Paul Lederach’s Moral Imagination
which URI has embraced as part of its peace building programs.
The workshop was facilitated by Marites – Guingona Africa,
Regional Trustee and Executive Director of the Peacemakers’
Circle CC. The workshop ended with meaning
to those present as they looked forward to
a more intensive moral imagination
engagement

It is important for all of us to remember that the strength of the Peacebuilding in Mindanao
CCs forms the strength of URI, and the success of the CCs reflects
the vision of the URI. The Pakigdait CC has played a key role in celebrating
March as the Lanao Month of Peace celebration by the
Salam to All! Lanao del Norte Government. The Regional Assembly
appreciated the support given by the young Governor
Musa Mohamad Sanguila Dimaporo, who at 28, has dedicatedly worked on
Chairperson, URI SEAPac Regional Council peacebuilding in his province of Lanao del Norte. His endorsement of the regional
Trustee, URI Global Council meeting brought about safety and security to the delegates but most of all, inspired the
Executive Director, Pakigdait CC regional team to do further work in Mindanao.

The URI SEAP delegates joined the “Panagtagbo” (“Meeting”), an opening activity
wherein the Civil Society, Government, and Military start from different origins and
EDITORIAL STAFF meet in the middle, signifying the unity of such sectors in promoting peace in
Mindanao. Some delegates were invited to host the interfaith prayers to open the
ceremonies. Charles Gibbs, URI Executive Director spoke on behalf of URI’s presence in
Editor-in-Chief Musa Mohamad Sanguila
Mindanao. The closing ceremonies included the release of doves and the planting of
Managing Editor Shakuntala Vaswani
the Peace Pole donated by the URI through Mario Toots Fungo (a URI affiliate) of the
Publishers United Religions Initiative
World Peace Prayer Society.
SEAPac Regional Office
Contributors Outside the Assembly schedule, the URI SEAP
Shakuntala Vaswani (URI -SEAPac) youth delegates worked together with the
Marites Guingona - Africa (Peacemakers’ Circle CC) Interfaith Youth Council of Pakigdait CC
Musa Mohamad Sanguila (Pakigdait CC) in creating a nature mandala out of
Padmini Solomon (Nur Damai CC) (found) leaves and stones gathered
Indra Udayana (Gandhi Puri Ashram CC) from around the peace pole.
Jessiee Kaur Singh (Center for Melbrourne Multifaith Meditation and interfaith prayers
and Others CC) generated a peaceful energy for
Elyse Rider (Green Faith Australia CC) the creative activity. This was
Orlan de Guzman (Peacemakers’ Circle CC) also an activity in solidarity with
Sam An Ros (Interfaith Youth Circle the Mindanao Peace Power Day
Cambodia CC) celebrated on March 18 with
Sharon Vaswani (Young Leaders Program, Y4U) the Sowing Peace Network in
Manila.
Design and Lay - Out Sarah Queblatin
 A C T I O N S
YOUTH

YOUTH 4 UNITY of the Peacemakers’ Circle

The Youth for Unity (the interfaith youth group, growing under the wings of The
Peacemakers’ Circle) has been very active in its youth activities this year. Here are the
highlights for the first half of 2009, compiled by Sharon Vaswani, Interim Youth
Coordinator for URI SEAPac.
On January 24, 2009, Y4U: Youth for
Unity was privileged to be part of a
festival aimed at celebrating the
rights of street children and bringing
the issues facing them to public
consciousness through educational,
creative and participatory activities.
The festival was run by and with
young leaders from NGOs around
Metro Manila and reached out to the
underprivileged kids and youth in the
country. Y4U contributed by running
an interactive educational booth
throughout the day about the
freedom of religion and harmony
amidst faith diversity.
URI SEAPac Youth Active in the Regional Assembly
“Trailblazing” was the word used to describe the youth’s participation in
the Regional Assembly, as the youth played a very pivotal part in the
regional meeting. They were also greatly inspired by a memorable
meeting with Gov. Khalid Quibranza-Dimaporo, the governor of Lanao
del Norte - the youngest governor of the Philippines, at only 28 years. He
is a shining exemplar of a youth leader who has taken a keen role in
Interfaith and Peacebuilding Dialogue!
From coming up with witty energizers, such as the URI clap, to helping
coordinate the program and also organizing a very organic and
nourishing mandala activity, the youths were very much engaged and a
part of the assembly.
The youths continued to enliven the spirit of the participants by
organizing two very successful Film Screenings of some work being
done by the CCs around the region and of the local efforts to lessen the
plight of the strained Muslim-Christian relations in Mindanao.

Last February 28, a post valentine sharing was held on what our faith
teaches us about love, and how to practice this in our everyday way of G.R.O.W.T.H. CC (Giving Respect, Opportunity,
life. What then ensued was a motivating discussion on love in the light of Wisdom, Transcendence, Harmony) Youth Summer
different religions. Wokrshop
On Naw-Ruz, the Bahai New Year on March 21, Y4U joined the G.R.O.W.T.H conducted “SUMMER WORKSHOP FOR LITTLE YOGIS” on
community in their celebration for some spiritual renewal and also to April 13 to 22. The purpose of the Summer Workshop was to develop the
learn more about this young, but very vibrant faith. young with skills, talents, and also to explore different educational
places such as the Bird Sanctuary in Tubod Minglanilla and Crocolandia
Y4U members joined the Earth in Talisay. The children were also exposed to other activities such as
Day celebration with Earth Day baking, swimming, painting, story telling and much more.
Network last April 18 with
interfaith prayers and a
collaborative labyrinth making
in partnership with the children
of Imagine Echo Projects (a INTERFAITH YOUTH CIRCLE CC of CAMBODIA Receives
grassroots community-based Seed Grant Funding for Peace Project
art project led by Sarah
Queblatin of Y4U), and The IYC Cambodia headed by Sam An Ros has designed a project for the
members of the Intergral Arts Metta (IAM, Inc.) and SangHabi, Inc. -- youth action entitled, “Community Peace Education” to counteract the
co-facilitated the interactive community installation art which unrest due to almost 30 years of civil war in Cambodia. This project has
composed of a stone LABYRINTH incorporated with stations of the four received Seed Grant Funding from URI SEAPac which will help them to
elements of nature. promote peace education and environmental consciousness to
community members.
free vectors from www.dryicons.com
 UNITED RELIGIONS INIT
In April 2009 United Religions Initiative (URI) in Southeast Asia-Pacific (SEAPac) took its first steps towards
actively engaging in the endeavor of realizing its vision of peace, justice and healing in the region and
began to help build bridges of friendship and solidarity with a group of grassroots Muslim,
Christian and indigenous leaders of conflict-affected communities in Lanao del Norte in
Mindanao, the southern region of the Philippines.

This unprecedented regional initiative by URI was made possible through the help of
Musa Mohamad Sanguila, one of the distinguished members of the Board of Trustees
of Pakigdait who is also currently the Chairperson of the URI SEAPac Regional
Council and member of the URI Global Council. In a meeting in Manila of URI
SEAPac trustees last October 2008, it surfaced during the deliberations on how to
put to good use the remaining regional funds of 2008. The trustees warmed up to
the idea of using the funds in aid of the victims of the conflict and war in Mindanao.

A project proposal was submitted to the URI hub in San Francisco, U.S.A. by the
Iligan-based PAKIGDAIT, a local interfaith NGO headed by Musa Sanguila, Fr. Reggie
Quijano and other distinguished leaders of the local interfaith community in Iligan.
Pakigdait is an active Cooperation Circle (CC) of URI in Mindanao and it has been serving
the cause of peace, justice and the wellbeing of the people of Lanao del Norte for over a
decade.
Cooperation Circle News

Pakigdait CC, also Pakigdait Inc., an NGO based in Mindanao received recognition as the BEST NGO
working with the Armed Forces of the Philippines.

The plaque of appreciation was given on March 23 during the 112th Philippine Army Founding
Anniversary celebration held at Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City, Metro Manila. Secretary of National Defense
Gilberto C. Teodoro, Jr. personally handed the plaque to Pakigdait director Musa Sanguila and program
manager Abel Jose A. Moya, after the parade and review, as the 21-Gun salute was being executed. The
plaque of appreciation read, “For invaluable support rendered in the advancement of the Philippine
Army mission in the strengthening of peace and development in Western Mindanao,” and signed by AFP
Lieutenant General Victor S. Ibrado. AFP Generals Alexander B. Yano, Romeo D. Lustestica, Antonio Supnet
and Raymundo B. Ferrer were also present during the awarding rites.
PAKIGDAIT
RECEIVES AWARD AS BEST NGO
GreenFaith Australia organized a forum at the Sustainable Living Festival in Melbourne which was held
at Federation Square, hosted by the Sustainable Living Foundation. The Festival ran from 20-22 February
2009 and thousands of people came. The ‘Spirit into Sustainability’ forum celebrated the commonality
that exists between the various faiths in the importance of protecting the environment. The forum
aimed at encouraging people of faith to take action at a personal and organizational level to live more
sustainably and to take proactive steps to encourage others to do the same. This is Green Faith’s
contribution to the upcoming Parliament of World Religions to be held in Melbourne in December.

Among other activities, Green Faith will focus on another pre-parliament project: Walking Humbly
on the Land: A Journey to the Murray River.

GREENFAITH AUSTRALIA
HOSTS PUBLIC EVENTS

Nur Damai hosted its first in-house Peacebuilding Workshop last 26th April. This was in response to
the members’ request to Padmini Solomon to share learings from CONTACT at the Summer Peace
Program in Vermont which she had attended recently.

“Everyone was happy,” according to Padmini and the participants’ responses were excellent. She
was assisted by Niloufer and Sudha who were her co-facilitators. The aim was to have each and
every member to be a trainer/facilitator. Topics covered included Peacebuilding - the whys and
whats of conflict transformation, dialogue, conflict mapping, reconciliation, and finally a
contextualization of the situation in Malaysia. Members were able to contribute their knowledge
and as Padmini shared, “we are tapping into the diverse talents of our very resourceful group.”

NUR DAMAI
HOLDS PEACEBUILDING LESSON SHARING
TIATIVE ENGAGES INTERFAITH DIALOGUE IN MINDANAO
The project proposal was approved by the global URI hub after
the Global Assembly in Mayapur, India last December. It was
finally launched in Tubod, Lanao del Norte during the
celebration of the Lanao Month of Peace last
March before the presence of Lanao del Norte
Governor Khalid Dimaporo.

To fully understand the dynamics of the

needs of the Internally Displaced Persons
(IDPs) in Lanao del Norte, Pakigdait
initiated and participated in various
community consultations which
identified deeper needs of the IDPs.
Majority of the identified needs fell
under the immediate food and non-food daily needs. The need to capacitate the IDPs in times of armed conflict (or risks) was surfaced as
a most valid intervention, given the uncertainty of the peace situation in Lanao del Norte. Addressing the psycho-emotional (PE) effects of
the situation also came up as a top priority which needed intervention as well.

This project was successfully conducted during April and May of 2009. It was instrumental in mobilising interfaith grassroots structures and in
providing a venue for nurturing a culture of healing, peace, and reconcilliation in Lanao del Norte through the various workshops and community
interaction, thereby providing a holistic approach in addressing the needs of the IDPs in Lanao del Norte.

As delegate and trainee of the URI’s Moral Imagination Program, Marites Africa, Executive Director of the
Peacemakers’ Circle CC has conducted three Moral Imagination workshop – foras over the first five months
of 2009. The first one was at the end of the Regional Assembly on March 21 at Tubod Lanao del Norte. The
next two were during the Lanao del Norte Interfaith project funded by URI over April and May wherein more
than forty interfaith religious grassroots leaders and civil society leaders participated.

The Peacemakers’ Circle has also recently formed two new Muslim – Christian groups born out of the
interfaith grassroots trainings it has conducted in Quiapo - “Manila Muslim - Christian Peacemakers
Organization, Inc.;” and in Taguig - “Muslims - Christians for Unity, Peace, and Progress”.

On May 17, 2009 it has partnered with Byakko Shinko Kai – Philippines (BSKP) to join more than 52 countries
in the world in synergetic harmony as the Global Peace Meditation and Prayer Day / World Shift Day was
celebrated with Symphony of Peace Prayers (SOPP).*
PEACEMAKERS CIRCLE
HOSTS INTERFAITH EVENTS and WORKSHOPS

In April, for the Youth Peace Program, Ashram Gandhi Puri CC had more than 400 youth actively involved.
Every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday the youth stayed in to experience Ashram life with the Gandhi Puri CC
members. They were trained on Yoga with spiritual seminars and discussions, cultural performances, tree
planting, and interfaith prayers. The Ashram aims to build community dialogue, peace building, and
personality development. Among its recent activities are interfaith dialogue talks with Hindu and Muslim
youth.

On Saturday June 20th, 2009, The Vice President of Indonesia M. Jusuf Kallaa met with Indra Udayana and the
rest of Gandhi Puri CC members to discuss about Community Dialogue through Education Culture Care
Society. The Vice President was very supportive on their project on Interfaith Dialogue for Young People.

GANDHI PURI ASHRAM

CONDUCTS YOGA FOR YOUTH and
COMMUNITY INTERFAITH DIALOGUE

On May 4, members of COMMON attended a seminar entitled “Many Faiths: One Humanity” held in
Melbourne. CC Leader Jessiee Kaur Singh said an opening Sikh prayer. She also presented on a panel on “How
religions together can make a World of Difference”

On Marh 27, 2010, COMMON will be holding a healing event for Harmony Day.

CENTER OF MELBOURNE MULTIFAITH AND OTHERS NETWORK

SPEAKS ON MANY FAITHS IN HARMONY
 United Religions Initiative
South East Asia and the Pacific

Unit 105 PHILDHRRA Partnership Center

59 C. Salvador St., Loyola Heights
Quezon City, PHILIPPINES
(+632) 920-7622
Addressee:
uriseap_regionaloffice@yahoo.com.ph
Skype: uriseapac

www.uri.org
www.uriseapacific.org
www.uriseapacific.blogspot.com
www.uriseapnewsletter.blogspot.com
www.uriseap.ning.com
www.facebook.com/uriseapac

“We must be the CHANGE we wish

to see in the world.”
- Mahatma Gandhi

what’s inside*
URI SEAPac Holds 5th Regional Assembly
in Mindanao

URI Staff and Global Council Meeting

Highlights

URI Engages Interfaith Dialogue in

Mindanao

Cooperation Circle News from:

Center of Melbourne Multifaith
and Others Network (COMMON)
Gandhi Puri Ashram
Green Faith Australia
Pakigdait
Peacemakers Circle
Nur Damai The purpose of the UNITED RELIGIONS INITIATIVE
Youth Actions from:
is to promote enduring daily interfaith
URI SEAPac Youth cooperation, to end religiously motivated violence
Youth for Unity Manila
G.R.O.W.T.H. Cebu and to create cultures of peace, justice, and
Interfaith Youth Circle Cambodia healing for the Earth and all living beings.