Old Office with a New Face

They said that Beauty is in the eye of the beholder... yes to some extent this is true. But we in the Department of Peace Studies believe that we need to create beauty. Since beauty and harmony are integral in peaceful coexistence. As a start our office should be a mirror this beauty and harmony. It doesn't matter if the edifice is old, we always could reinvent it to make it a cozy and comfortable place to work and entertain visitors. The faculty members and the student organization has considerably contributed their time and efforts in order to maintain its beauty.

The Receiving Area: Displaying Pictures and mementos and Books, and a long table where students can work and write.

The Area where the Faculty Members hold their office.

The Conference Area

Department of Peace Studies: Before & After "Reming"

After several years Bicol Region was badly hit by a super typhoon "Reming" in December of 2006. Global warming has shown its ugly head: namely drastic change in weather pattern. The Province of Albay was caught in the center of the Storm. It destroyed infrastructure, demolished villages, and resulted in loss of live and property. Our Campus was not spared. It destroyed a large portion of our buildings. Destroyed books and documents. But after a year, we have shown our resiliency and determination to rise from this crisis. Through the the help of Pres. Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, and through the efforts of Gov. Joey Salceda, and the cooperation of the BU administration headed by the SUC Pres. Dr. Fay Lauraya has spearheaded the rehabilitation of our Buildings.

Before: The Rooms housing the Office and Classrooms of the Department of Peace Studies as it appeared a couple of days after the Typhoon in December of 2006

Today: The Rehabilitated and Rebuilt Classrooms and Offices

The Western Entrance, Fully renovated and Painted as it appears today June 2008

The Stage and Basketball Court

BAPS Volunteers for Bicol Habitat

The Officers of the Junior Peace Advocates and some students enrolled in the Field Research Class of Dr. Rosana volunteered to the project of Bicol Habitat for Humanity on April 27, 2008. They joined the throng of international volunteers in helping build resettlement homes for people severely afected by typhoon Reming. The venue of the volunteer work was in Tagaytay, Camalig, Albay.

The Bicol Habitat Volunteers at the Opening Ceremonies. Braving the rains and cold weather.

The Resettlement Site in Barangay Tagaytay, Camalig, Albay



The Members of the BAPS group. Seated from left: Abraham Villanueva, Salvador millena, Jade Barbudo, Morris, Dixon Duran. Standing from left: A Japanese Volunteer, Jay Nuarin, (partly Hidden) Ryan Rovelo, Andrei balde, Jefferson Carrasco, Mrs. Gina Oropesa, our Instructor, and the rest....

BAPS Volunteerism in Action

The members of the Junior Peace Advocates at their own initiative volunteered to hold a project on June 9, 2008 Monday dubed as "Clean and Green". The objective of which was to prepare and clean the classrooms in preparation of the opening of classes. The new set of officers displayed their enthusiasm to serve the School and their fellow students.

(Video by Dr. Herbert)

Peace Education in Mindanao

GMAnews.tv reported that : "While government has yet to institutionalize it in the regular school curriculum, peace education has long been done in Lanao del Sur province." More of this can be read from GMANEWS.tv .

A Mindanao College Includes Peace Education in its Curriculum

"We want our students to learn more about peace, we want them to understand the true meaning of peace and see for themselves what they can contribute toward peace in Mindanao," Said the Presdient of Assumption College in Davao (ADC), as qouted in GMnews.tv More on this can be read by following the link.

Codoleeza Rice Raises Issues War Rape Issues at UN Sessions

Womenenews reports thus:"U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice capped off a discussion of wartime rape at the United Nations Security Council Thursday with a separate session upbraiding Zimbabwe President Robert Mugabe for allowing violence in his own country." More of this can be read from Womenenews.

The ABCs of Peace

Cardinal Martino, President of the Pontifical Cpuncil for Justice and Peace spoke thus: "To avoid war, leaders must first consult the "ABC's of peace" that are written on the hearts and minds of all people, says the president of the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace." More of this can be read from zenit.org

Field Research 2008: Marinduque

For a week in May 2008 the Junior BAPS students undertook their field research practicum in Boac, Marinduque. This activity is both instructional and practical. Instructional because the objective of the activity was designed to hone the students' ability to use different research tools in conducting field research. Practical in the sense that it seeks to answer research questions that will have practical implication for practice and policy making.

The Students' Dormitory of Marinduque State College: The entire group consisting fifty-five students stayed on this campus dormitory.

The Instructors, Student Leaders and MACEC officers of the Social Action of the Diocese of Boac posed for a souvinir photo.

Students Exploring Barangay Botilao, Sta Cruz, Marinduque

The group posing for a souvir photo with their hosts.

Classes Suspended

Due to typhoon Frank classes were suspended until further notice. Lets Pray for our safety. Let us pray as if all depended on God and let us work as if all depended on our hands. Here we are again bracing ourselves for the storm!!!

Mayon Volcano: Bicol's Land Mark

This is Mayon Volcano as seen from the Bogtong Road. Indeed majestic, beautiful and enthralling, but violent and deadly during eruptions. Virtually the Volcano has been part of the symbolism and identity of the Bicolanos. The shape of Mayon Volcano appears in the Official Seal of Bicol University.

Notice

To our Students, Friends and Affiliate Faculty Members, we are on the process of building this blog site. Rest assured that in the upcoming few days we shall be uploading notices, articles and useful information about the Department of Peace Studies.

Peace Day Celebration 2008

In February of 2008, the Department o Celebrated its Peace Day. The Celebration was started with a Mass and followed by academic Lectures given by no other than the Director of the DENR Region V.

The Undergaduate Students Listening Intently to the Speaker

Mr. Patrick Ojano serve as the Lector for the Mass.

The Celebration was capped by Rest and Recreation.

A Vision for the Peace Studies Program

A VISION FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF PEACE STUDIES DEPARTMENT OF
BU-CSSP

Prepared by: Dr. Herbert B. Rosana, Chair, Peace Studies Program

Background

Bicol University is one the few universities in the Philippines and even Southeast-Asia that has pioneered a program in Peace Education. BU’s involvement in Peace Education started in 1993 when the university accepted the challenge posed by the International Association of University Presidents (IAUP), of which BU was a member, to integrate peace studies in its curricular offerings. The Bicol University in due time responded by conceiving degree programs to cater to the Peace Studies curriculum ranging from the B.A., M.A. and Ph.D. degrees. Aside from these degree programs BU pioneered a basic education program known as the Early and Late Childhood Education Program. The university has also developed a strong partnership with other agencies of the Government in the promotion of its Peace Studies Program. The Peace Studies program was grounded in the needs of the global community as articulated by the different declarations of the United Nations. Moreover, the Philippine Process has been an enduring theme in the curricular programs of the Department of Peace Studies.

To date the department has produced professionals and provided professional education to a number of people occupying positions of importance and people whose services are vital for the need of society. To date there importance of peace education remains a reality. This need was reflected in various policies and programs of past Philippine Administration. Of most recent the administration of President Arroyo has articulated the importance of peace education through the following issuances:

1. Executive Order dated 26 September 2006 highlighting the importance of the Peace Education Teaching Exemplars as developed by the OPAPP in commemoration of the 2nd National Peace Consciousness Month.

2. Executive Order 570 which calls for the institutionalization of the Peace Education in basic Education and in Teacher Education institution in order to achieve a comprehensive and lasting peace.

3. Executive Order No. 3, s. 2001

4. Agenda no. 9 of Medium Term Philippine Development Plan.

There are three very important documents that will serve as basis for the Peace Studies Program of BU and of re-defining its relevance to National and Regional development needs. These are:

1. Agenda 21. Agenda 21 is a comprehensive plan of action to be taken globally, nationally and locally by organizations of the United Nations System, Governments, and Major Groups in every area in which human impacts on the environment. The Philippines is signatory to this document and has the obligation to fulfill its obligations.

2. Medium Term Philippine Development Plan 2004-2010.

3. Medium term Bicol Regional Development Plan 2004-2010

4. The Albay Declaration on Climate Change Adaptation.

The Challenge

With the pressing fast-phased changing development needs there is a need to make the Peace Education relevant to Bicol Development and to National Development in the context of a globalization. The following are the major challenges:

1. Curricular revision of the B.A. Course in order to provide future professionals the knowledge, skills and attitudes/mental dispositions needed in order address the peace, conflict situation and development needs of the region and of the country.

2. Translating the accumulated knowledge into the educative process which is the main function of the University, with emphasis on how to translate this to the basic education curriculum and to the training of future teachers who will be the leaders in the teaching of Peace Concepts and of teaching the young to deal with conflict problems in the most peaceful and creative way.

3. Conducting researches that address the peace, conflict and development needs of the nation and the region.

4. Evolving extension projects in consonance with the stated challenges above.

5. Promote Interdisciplinary programs and projects in peace education, drawing together the various and relevant disciplines/departments of the University, as well as linkages and cooperation through MOUs with external agencies and organizations.

6. Provision of a coherent and relevant definition of Peace Education.


Conceptual Framework and Provisional Definition of Peace Education for Bicol University.

Peace Education has many definition and they varied according to time, emphasis and needs of every particular situation. It was said that the meaning of peace education becomes relevant when it is contextualize according to the needs of the region. Based on the past experience of Bicol University in Peace Studies and on current need the following provisional definition for peace education will become the basis:

Peace Education is an attempt to provide a creative response to the problems of Peace, Order, Conflict, and violence through the educative process (Curriculum/Instruction, Research and Extension). Moreover, Peace Education as a process and endeavor will aim to address Peace in a more comprehensive manner that takes into account factors that are considered important in ensuring Human Security. Furthermore Peace Education will seek to address the factors, structural systems that contribute to violence. And these ranges from Human and Non Human factors such as sustainable development and Climate Change.

The proponent assumes the fact that conflict is a natural feature of social and structural change / evolution. As such the process of change can take shape in many ways depending on how it is address. Thus the human factor in this change is the ability of individual persons and groups / organizations to creative address changes that mitigates adverse effects and avoids the destructive effects of violent conflict. Conflicts can be transformed creatively in a sense that it achieves the desired positive outcome.

Development concerns, adverse effect of climate change, poverty, underdevelopment, insurgency and unequal distribution of resources and access to these resources are challenges facing Bicol Region and the country. The Peace Studies program of Bicol University can help address these concerns through its Instruction, Research, and Extension and Production functions.

These concepts can summarily be articulated and put into action based on the following VGMO:

VGMO

Vision. As An Academic Department within the College of Social Sciences and Philosophy, the department sees itself as an institution and contributor to the Integral Development of the Bicol Region, through its Curricular/Instructional programs, research, extension and production activities in line with Peace Studies and in pursuit of BU’s goal of bringing the university closer to the community.

Mission. The Mission of the Department of Peace Studies is to develop competent professionals who will respond to the Peace Concerns of the region and the country in the context of globalization and to promote Peace Education, through its mandated functions of Instruction, Research, Extension and Production.

Objectives

1. Institutionalize peace education through curriculum development, faculty training, and student development programs;

2. Promote the integration of peace concepts, conflict resolution strategies, and creative conflict transformation in the basic education curriculum;

3. To be a lead institution in the promotion of an interagency consortium for peace education.

4. To address the micro and macro causes of conflict in Bicol and underdevelopment of Bicol through its research and extension projects.

5. Produce training and instructional materials on peace education and conflict resolution;

6. Train Education Professionals and other peace related professionals.

7. Maintain a pool of experts who are competent in instruction, research and extension;

8. Produce professionals who are competent in the field of peace studies, conflict resolution and research.

9. Establish network and institutional cooperation with NGOs and GOs in the promotion of Peace

Volunteerism: A Component of Peace Education

On June 9, 2008, the Leaders and some members of the Junior Peace Advocates held their first activity, the Clean and Green. They cleaned the classrooms and the office of the Department. This form of activity not only enhances the cleanliness of the surroundings but also develops the spirit of Volunteerism.