MALAYBALAY CITY (BukidnonNews.Net/04 December 2025) Government alone cannot sustain peace. Educational institutions, media, communities, and other sectors of society must continuously take part in peacebuilding.
Mr. Walter I. Balane of Bukidnon State University (BukSU) emphasized this during the KBP Bukidnon Interaction on November 30, 2025.
Balane heads the Kalandang Taw Center for Peace Studies and serves as Associate Professor of Development Communication at BukSU.
He served as resource person for the episode on “Peace, Prosperity and Development.” The discussion related to the Mindanao Week of Peace celebration from November 27 to December 3, 2025.
More than 15 KBP radio stations in Bukidnon aired the discussion. The broadcast brought conversations on peacebuilding to a wider public audience.
Balane discussed the significance of the Mindanao Week of Peace. He described it as an occasion for Mindanaoans to reflect on their shared responsibility for building peaceful and inclusive communities.
Proclamation No. 127, s. 2001 institutionalized the annual observance. It designated the last Thursday of November through the first Wednesday of December as the Mindanao Week of Peace.
The observance recognizes the common aspirations of Mindanao’s diverse peoples for peace, unity, and harmony. These aspirations cut across social status, religion, and culture.
Balane emphasized that the celebration goes beyond a week of commemorative activities. It creates opportunities to strengthen dialogue and collaboration among different sectors involved in building peace in Mindanao.
These sectors include government, educational institutions, civil society, media, security institutions, Indigenous communities, and other groups.
He particularly highlighted the role of media in peacebuilding. Journalists can keep peace issues in public discussion and help communities understand the causes and consequences of conflict.
Media can go beyond reporting incidents of violence and disagreement. It can give attention to peace initiatives, provide space for different voices, and promote informed dialogue.
Media can also report stories about how communities address conflict. These stories can show how people work together toward peace and development.
Balane also discussed BukSU’s contributions to peacebuilding through the Kalandang Taw Center for Peace Studies. Its work covers peace education, research, community engagement, and partnerships with peace stakeholders.
“Education is a very potent and vital force that will help people become more open to one another, become more collaborative, and be helpful to other sectors, being able to understand the conflict of the different people,” Balane said.
Balane highlighted initiatives that BukSU undertook during the Mindanao Week of Peace 2024. The university convened representatives from several government agencies, peace organizations, and other sectors.
They included the Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation and Unity (OPAPRU), Philippine Army, and Philippine National Police.
Representatives from the Department of the Interior and Local Government, Malaybalay City Government, peace educators, and other stakeholders also participated.
The university’s 2024 celebration included a peace forum and presentations on peace initiatives and research. Participants also discussed ways to strengthen peace education in Northern Mindanao.
BukSU and OPAPRU also signed a Memorandum of Understanding to strengthen their collaboration in peacebuilding and peace education.
The partnership also led to the establishment of the Peace Education Resource Nook (PERN) at the BukSU Library. PERN provides resources on peacebuilding, conflict resolution, social justice, and related areas.
Balane said universities can contribute to peace by creating spaces for research, education, dialogue, and community engagement.
Media can complement these efforts. It can bring peace conversations and initiatives from institutions and communities to the broader public.
Balane stressed that the Mindanao Week of Peace should serve as a continuing reminder of everyone’s responsibility for peace.
Peace does not merely mean the absence of armed conflict, he said. It requires dialogue, understanding, collaboration, and meaningful participation across sectors.
Balane also highlighted the interconnectedness of peace, prosperity, and development. He emphasized the important roles of education and responsible communication in pursuing these goals in Bukidnon and Mindanao. (BukidnonNews.Net).
