Invest now in youth leadership to create future value for humanity and our Earth.
Join us in co-sponsoring two candidates from the Philippines to the
Nonviolent Interfaith Leadership Program 2017
We would like to offer you the opportunity to co-sponsor a young Filipino leader to attend the program in April 2017.
Pace e Bene Australia has been partnering with organisations in the Philippines and South Africa over the past few years and has included some wonderful participants from both these countries to broaden the learning opportunities for all involved.
The NILP team would like to offer two positions to young people from the Philippines and are seeking partners to help make this a reality. Opportunities to sponsor include:
2xFlights ($500 each)
2xProgram costs ($500 each)
If you can assist please make your donation here or alternatively contact Dale Hess at d.****@oz*****.au
READ ON…
2 short interviews from two Filipino leaders who attended in 2014
LEO – Social Justice Coordinator at the University of Sainte Le Salle in Manila, the Philippines.
Q. Why is it important that two young leaders from the Philippines come to NILP in 2017?
A. For young Filipino leaders, it is important to learn nonviolent interreligious leadership skills also from a cross-cultural perspective. Conversely, young Filipino leaders also have a lot to offer and share in enriching that cross- cultural experience with other participants.
Q. What might they gain from being there?
The magic of a cross-cultural experience is that it (NILP) provided me with a space where I can revisit my own cultural roots as a Filipino. Through an intimate encounter with my fellow co-participants from diverse cultural backgrounds, I was able to have a different and better appreciation of my cultural identity. This is one of the things that future (Filipino) participants can gain from NILP. Moreover, participants will also benefit from the rich stories of every participant from different religious and cultural backgrounds and at the same time learn how nonviolence is an option we can choose over and over again, in light of the countless challenges that our diversity poses.
Q. How might Pace e Bene Australia and other participants be enriched by their presence?
A. By having young Filipino leaders, the cross-cultural experience is further diversified and enriched. Filipinos have a lot to share most especially the nonviolent and unique cultural and spiritual aspects of our heritage that has influenced us as a people. Our openness and very participative attitude also contributes to the over-all deepening of this entire ross-cultural experience.
Q. What might they do on returning?
A. Young Filipino leaders can integrate the insights and lessons they will learn from the NILP in their own respective communities where the challenges of diversity abound. They can enrich existing programs or start new ones that promote nonviolence and interreligious diversity. By imbibing values enhanced in the NILP, they may also be able to enhance their skills and positively contribute to their family, community or workplace culture as well as other areas of influence.
Q. How has attendance/participation at previous NILP influenced my nonviolent leadership?
A. My particpation in the NILP gave me added sensitivity to the potential of people to self organize and strive to be better. It also helped me pay attention to the spiritual journey of people, whether or not they are aware and/or expressly state such journey.
ALIYA – Founder Kids for Peace Inc.
Q. Why is it important that two young leaders from the Philippines come to NILP in 2017?
A. I think the scholarship is a great idea. There are so many things that one can learn from the program and it would be wonderful if people from the Philippines (and other countries in the future) can attend. With all that’s happening in the world today, we need to remove our noses from our gadget’s screens and explore the world. The real world, not just the virtual world. Attending NILP made me realize that the world is big, that there are people out there armed with stories of joy, sadness, triumph, etc. It’s a wonderful opportunity to expand their knowledge about dealing with violence in a nonviolent manner, in accepting things as they are, and in learning how to empathize or sympathize with other people. It’s a short program but I feel like I just graduated a four-year course when we ended. I’d go back if I could!
- Q. What might they gain from being there?
A. They will gain knowledge about experiences of others, honoring their stories and what other people have to say, respecting that space, understanding that we can all work together despite our differences, learning about open space, and a whole lot more. One of the things that I still carry with me are 1) impermanence (I learned this while making the mandala), 2) open space (I applied this when I joined a surfing competition two years ago) and 3) people are always willing to help you. It doesn’t matter if you’ve known each other for a day/week/month/year, they can and will help you.
Q. How might Pace e Bene Australia and other participants be enriched by their presence?
A. There’s a certain kind of richness when you meet people from other countries because then you see how different or the same we are when it comes to dealing with things. It makes you realize how similar we are despite the distance, and how different we are despite the similarities. It’s a bit profound, but there’s something beautiful in that. It makes you more understanding of others and of yourself. You learn to remove judgment and just accept people for who and what they are.
Q. How has attendance/participation at previous NILP influenced my nonviolent leadership – Leo and Aliya
A. I learned a lot about myself. I learned that it’s okay to share bits and pieces of myself with other people, that I should stop worrying about what other people will think. Sharing my song “Aliya” put me on a vulnerable situation because that meant sharing my soul to the participants but seeing the reaction and feeling their acceptance gave me the assurance that it’s okay. I also learned about different faith practices, cultures, and for once in my life I finally felt comfortable with the sound of silence. I can feel the hate in the world today especially on social media, but my background in NILP taught me to take a pause before responding negatively. Some posts are worth it, and some are not.
You must be logged in to post a comment.