A statement of Mr. Guiamel Alim, Chairperson of the Consortium on Bangsamoro Civil Society and IWG Lead Convener had an emotional impact on the participants in the recently conducted Refresher Course for NGO/CSO advocacy on Transitional Justice in the Bangsamoro that was conducted at Pacific Heights Hotel, Cotabato City from Septmeber 4-5, 2019. Mr. Alim gave emphasis on the importance of the various organizations to work as one and quoted it in a much deeper statement saying “If you want to walk near, walk alone. If you want to walk far, walk with others”.
About 51 participants who are members of Civil Society Organizations from different areas such as Davao, SOCKSARGEN, Maguindanao, North Cotabato and Cotabato City participated in the two-day refresher course on Transional Justice in the Bangsamoro. It was an activity participated by different sectors such as women, religious groups, youth and Indigenous peoples, thus, it paved a way for the participants to have an opportunity to interact with other sectoral groups and enhance their knowledge on Transitional Justice including information on the status of Transitional Justice in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.
With the impactful statement of Chairperson Alim, the workshop organized by the Consortium on Bangsamoro Civil Society with different partnered organizations designed the activity to provide a space for sectorial dialogue in the South-Central Cluster of different Civil Society Organizations in the Bangsamoro areas towards understanding of the significant roles each organizations play in the promotion of Transitional Justice in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.
It was officially started with an Opening Du’a given by Mr. Abdul Bari H. Danial, one of the participants from Maguindanao. At the opening of the workshop, the Master of Ceremony officially started the activity with the introduction of the participants from various area of South Central Mindanao. The participants were introduced per region. It was then preceded by a getting to know you activity added with a twist.
The activity was filled with laughter as the participants sang the popular songs during their age. All participants had the chance to know and talk to other participants through these fun activities. After the getting to know you activity, participants started to write their expectations for the two-day refresher course and the house rules they want to be implemented for a productive program.
The refresher course on Transitional Justice was composed of series of lectures on the different concepts related to Transitional Justice Dealing with the Past framework, listening process approaches and updates on the milestones and challenges of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao in its process of normalization and including the promotion of Transitional Justice inside and outside the areas of Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.
The first session was the re-orientation on the Transitional Justice Dealing with the Past Framework and prospects for local application given by Maam Guiam, IWG member who gave the participants the first workshop with four questions about Transitional Justice. The first workshop highlighted the Transitional Justice concepts, processes, mechanisms, the situations and conditions needing Transitional Justice and how to implement Transitional Justice in various areas. The participants actively participated throughout the discussion and as they presented their ideas on concepts and mechanisms of Transitional Justice.
It was then followed by a discussion on promotion of Transitional Justice in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao and an insight on the Political normalization which was discussed by Mr. Alim, IWG Lead Convener. He discussed the Two-Tract of Peace and Development roadmap in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao which were what he called the “Political Tract” and the “Normalization Tract”. He had given the participants an insider look on the status and milestones and challenges of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao. The discussion was an eye opener on the events that the Bangsamoro people mostly under look.
The participants actively shared their ideas and participate in the discussion. Everyone was eager to share their perception and what they have learned about the concepts and clearly define the Transitional Justice.
A summary point about the first day of the refresher course was discussed by Maam Guiam who re-discussed the concepts and framework of Transitional Justice as part of inculcating knowledge to the participants.
There was also a discussion on KUKANG (Kinsa, Unsa, Kanus-a, Asa, Ngano, Gi-Insa) which means the 5ws (Who, What, Where, When, Why) and 1H (How) as a research tool with lectures on documentation skills given by Maam Guiam. The last part of the refresher course was the sorting out of the recommendations of Transitional Justice and Reconciliation Commission and creation of a Transitional Justice Platform in the Bangsamoro with the participation of the various members of Civil Society Organizations, which was led by the IWG Lead Convener, Mr. Alim.
The workshop came to a close by a closing remark from Mr. Apanda thanking the participants for the time and effort they lend in the activity and also the distribution of the certificates.