DAVAO CITY (MindaNews/25 November) – ”Responsive and responsible governance: Key to peace, development and sustainability” is the theme of this year’s Mindanao Week of Peace (MWOP).
The annual Mindanao Week of Peace (MWOP), the 12th since 1999, is held from the last Thursday of November to the first Wednesday of December. This year it is celebrated November 25 to December 1.
The Week of Peace was initiated by the Peace Advocates Zamboanga in the mid-1990s and was adopted by the Bishops-Ulama Conference in 1999 and supported by Proclamation 207 of then President Joseph Estrada. President Gloria-Macapal Arroyo issued another proclamation urging all sectors to take part in the celebration.
Last year, the MWOP theme was “Think Mindanao, Feel Mindanao, Bring Peace to Mindanao.”
In 2008, it was “Integrity of Mind and Heart A way to Reconciliation and Peace!” while in 2007, it was “Building Bridges of peace with our Peace Officers.”
The MWOP theme in 2006 was “In the Name of the Almighty, God of Harmony, Care for the Earth;” in 2005 it was “Millennium Development Goals: Women and Youth as Partners in Peace Building” and in 2004 it was “A reconciled family, agent of reconciliation.”
In 2003, the MWOP theme was “Healing through Forgiveness: Key to Total Human Development;” in 2002, it was “Peace through Reconciliation: Mindanaoans seeking a common ground;” in 2001, “Peace: Sharing the Vision of Unity and Hope;” in 2000, “Mindanaoans Journeying Together Towards a Culture of Peace;” and in 1999, “Healing the Past, Building the Future.” (MindaNews)