MILANMO CAMP
Spreading Culture of Peace
among the tri-people youth and the Community
through continuous Dialogue and Immersion
in the present Mindanao context
The peace situation in the Philippines, particularly in Mindanao, has been like a vicious cycle. Many sectors have lost hope, but for the Alyansa ng Kabataang Mindanao para sa Kapyapaan [AKMK], it is a situation that needs to be challenged. The struggle for peace in Mindanao has become a life-basis to live with for the AKMK. It is this quest for Peace, based on justice that is pushing the AKMK to take the less travelled- path of making it happen.
Presently, member organizations of AKMK are increasing and getting wider and wider all over Mindanao. The five (5) clusters of AKMK in Mindanao [SHAKAMAGCOT–Sharif Kabunsuan, Maguindanao, Cotabato], [ZAMPEN-Zamboanga Peninsula], [MILANMO-Marawi, Iligan City, Lanao del Norte, Misamis Oriental], [GDA-Greater Davao Area, CABUCAM – Caraga, Bukidnun, Camiguin], are performing its tasks in sowing the seeds of peace and making alternative systems towards the gradual realization of a truly peaceful Mindanao.
Specifically for its part, The MILANMO Cluster of AKMK gathered last July 25, 2009 for a youth-sharing and discussion concerning different issue that concerns the youth, particularly the issues of peace in the Lanao provinces. During this occasion, the youth participants become more united and a high spirited level of solidarity was raised. It was decided then to have a Youth Peace Camp this coming September 25-28, 2009 at GERONIMA CABRERA NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL, Barangay Riverside, Kolambugan, Lanao del Norte, in order to reach out more youth in its cluster and mobilize them towards the struggle for Peace in Mindanao. This year’s MILANMO Camp will be made possible through a major partnership with Lanao Aquatic and Fisheries Center for Community Development (LAFCCOD) through its Youth Empowerment and Advocacy Program (YEAP).
The said Camp will be a venue for the youth in the MILANMO Cluster for them to express their thoughts and insights on the Mindanao Peace, Youth Issues and Environment and at the same time collectively formulate doable immediate solutions to the challenges of peace. Also, the activity will be an opportunity for the youth to experience the daily lives of the local community which could strengthen their resolve to help these communities with their own everyday struggles for a peaceful life. Truly, this activity would be a value-moulding activity to make our youth today become better individuals to prepare them to be good future leaders of tomorrow.