INVITATION | How much do we really know about Mindanao? | 9 August 2018 | 3-5 PM | Asian Institute of Management

UNDERSTANDING MINDANAO SERIES: MINDANAO 101

9 August 2018, Thursday
Fuller Hall, 3F Asian Institute of Management, 123 Paseo de Roxas, Makati City

2 PM – Registration

3 PM – Program Start

There are negative stereotypes, biases, and limited view of the people and issues involved in Mindanao. Mindanao is perceived to be marginalized, violent and dangerous, and a place for Muslims. This mindset stems from lack of understanding about the region and the religion. How much do we really know about Mindanao?

Asia Society Philippines cordially invites you to the inaugural Understanding Mindanao Series, to be held on 9 August 2018, 3:00 to 5:00 PM at the Asian Institute of Management.

The Understanding Mindanao Series is a three-part dialogue that aims to provide an environment for inquiry and learning about the region, and to educate the public by developing a common understanding about Mindanao and strengthening relationships with the tri-people community in Mindanao.

This series will discuss the different aspects of Mindanao, and will run from August to October 2018. The first of the three forums, “Mindanao 101” aims to give better understanding of what shapes Mindanao through a discussion of its history, people, and issues.

Due to limited seats, kindly register by clicking here or at understandingmindanao1.eventbrite.com by 8 August 2018.

This event is free of charge and open to the public. Please forward this message to your network, or any parties you think would be interested.

This email serves as your formal invitation. For any questions, please feel free to contact Yeng Rarugal at mrarugal@asiasociety.org or at 550 2612.

Thank you very much and we hope that you will be able to join us on this timely and meaningful event.

Asia Society Philippine Foundation, Inc. | 2F AIM Conference Center, Makati, Philippines | t +632 5502612 | t/f +632 8108983 | www.asiasociety.org/philippines | Hong Kong | Houston | Los Angeles | MANILA | Sydney | Mumbai | New York | San Francisco | Seoul | Shanghai | Tokyo | Washington DC | Zurich

UN chief welcomes new law giving extra autonomy to Muslims in Southern Philippines

27 July 2018

Peace and Security

The UN Secretary-General on Friday welcomed a new law which grants extra autonomy to Muslim communities living in the Southern Philippines, describing it as a “landmark achievement on the road to lasting peace”.

Philippine President, Rodrigo Duterte, signed the new legislation, formally known as the Organic Law for Bangsamoro in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, on Thursday, raising hopes that years of separatist violence involving central Government troops and militants from the Moro Islamic Liberation Front, can be brought to an end.

“The Secretary-General congratulates negotiators for the Government of the Philippines and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front, the Bicameral Conference Committee, the Bangsamoro Transition Commission and civil society groups for their efforts,” said the UN chief, in a statement issued by his Spokesperson, Stéphane Dujarric.

According to news reports, the long-anticipated new autonomy came four years after the Government signed a peace deal with the separatist group, which dropped its bid for full independence, seeking instead a new deal over self-rule.

The Front began its uprising in 1978, marking a period of violent confrontation which left around 120,000 dead. The new expanded autonomous region in the south, will be led initially by a transitional authority, before being run by a new parliamentary body, say reports.

The statement from the UN chief said that the UN “will continue to support the Philippines in the implementation of the law, and to help build the capacity of the Bangsamoro Transition Authority as an effective conduit for peace, democratic governance, and human rights”.