The International Steering Committee (ISC) of the Community of Democracies strongly endorses the Mindanao Peoples’ Peace Agenda (MPPA), which is a product of more than a year of consultations among the conflict actors in Mindanao in response to the ongoing peace process there.
The Agenda was initiated by the Mindanao PeaceWeavers (MPW), the broadest civil society peace constituency in the region composed of more than seven civil society networks. The Initiatives for International Dialogue serves as the lead secretariat for the MPW and is headed by ISC member Gus Miclat.
The MPPA will constitute the framework of the MPW’s lobby work with both the Philippine government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) who are currently involved in peace negotiations.
With a new government installed in the Philippines and its avowed commitment to pursue the peace talks, the ISC believes that the MPPA will positively contribute to the peace process. The MILF has also indicated openness to be engaged on the MPPA. The ISC calls on both parties to utilize the MPPA in its ongoing efforts towards building a stable and just peace for the region.
