Written Jan 12, 2015
One creative and unexpected totem of the peace process here in Mindanao is the peace table. In school, children that are disagreeing or fighting are brought to a designated “peace table” and made to discuss and settle their quarrel, sealed with a handshake. As a conflict resolution tool, the peace table is celebrated as a symbol of conflict resolution and motivation to practice peace making in the school setting. For teachers also, it encourages the integration of principles of dialogue, respect and conflict resolution throughout the school environment. This initiative is an essential component of Peace Education, as mandated nationally by the Department of Education’s Executive Order 570 in 2008.
We first heard about the peace table from the Archbishop in Davao on our second day, and then many more times this past week. Government officials, NGO representatives, principals, religious leaders and teachers referred to the peace table when asked to describe specifics of the peace education curriculum. Looking from the top-down, it seems to be a crucial product of the inter-religious dialogue and also a symbol of progress in the peace process. From the grassroots level, for the educators, the peace table is a source of pride and an effective teaching tool.
I think this an excellent example of how peace and “normalization” must be integrated into education and youth culture. For students, the ritual practice of bringing frustrations or fights to a designated safe space, sharing feelings openly and with respect, and develop skills of negotiation, is invaluable. In the process of advancing peace, the Philippines is also rolemodeling peace practices for the rest of the world.
Peace table for 3rd graders in a rural school