1. How did you learn about the NARPI training? What was the application process like?
NARPI has been MPI’s sister institute in Asia since its inception 14 years ago. My participation in the training is the result of collaborative efforts and exchanges between organizations.
The application process for NARPI Summer Peacebuilding Training is quite similar to the MPI Annual Peacebuilding Training. Participants need to submit and complete the application and acquire their visa, if applicable. In this process, I realized that support from a participant’s organization is extremely important. I was fortunate that MPI’s admin team was so supportive in every step by providing the documents I needed, especially since my preparation for the NARPI training coincided with the MPI Annual Peacebuilding Training and the post-training activities. NARPI was also helpful in guiding me through every step.
2. Can you tell us more about the NARPI-MPI partnership?
The NARPI-MPI partnership is built on shared values and a commitment to peace in Asia and the world. Both organizations send delegates to attend each other's training annually, with course fees and in-training accommodation and meals waived. However, airfares and some other expenses, such as accommodation and meals outside the training venue were shouldered by the participant.
The schedule of the NARPI Summer Peacebuilding training typically takes place in August, while MPI's Annual Peacebuilding Training occurs in May. This is to ensure that the dates don’t overlap and to support attendance when resources are available for both organizations.
3. What were some of the activities conducted during the NARPI training?
Before the training proper, the American Friends Service Committee (AFSC) and NARPI conducted a Peace Game simulation with the participants followed by a three-day field trip and immersion at Minamata. The training proper was held from August 16 to 20.
There were also some evening sessions like the Youth-led Initiative that featured a listening exchange, the sharing of initiatives by Paul and Deting Lu, and a Tapping Session. In place of the canceled cultural night exchange due to COVID-19, participants had the opportunity to explore the town together and enjoy the communal barbecue dinner party hosted by NARPI. The celebration continued with a mini cultural presentation near the beach. The training concluded with a closing ceremony by the beach on August 20.
During our field trip, the participants got the chance to learn the Japanese arts of papermaking, bead-making using the ocean’s bounty, and tea making and tasting.
After the training proper, there was a Restorative Justice course network gathering for Northeast Asia which was open to everyone. The aim of the gathering was to foster global friendships and support among individuals and teams who share similar passion and values, facilitate networking and resource exchange, and provide a platform for collaboration and learning from each other's contexts.
4. What course did you take during the training and what were your main takeaways?
The Restorative Justice course provided me with valuable insights into the implementation of the restorative justice approach in Northeast Asia, particularly in schools and corporations. I also gained a greater awareness of environmental issues resulting from technological advancements and destructive processes, such as the mercury poisoning in the oceans of Minamata and the intergenerational health effects and exposures. The 50-year restoration of their ocean and mountain serves as a powerful lesson on collaborative efforts for their community and its government.
I got the opportunity to witness some creative initiatives related to the restoration of their natural communal healthy environment like the cultural dance that tells the impact of the Minamata disease both to the populace and to the environment and how restorative practices brought hope back to the survivors. We also listened to testimonies of the forerunners of restorative justice in the area.
I recognized similar issues in the Philippines like irresponsible mining, illegal logging, harmful farming practices, and overfishing by large corporations, which remain unaddressed to this day. Furthermore, there is a lack of awareness and education among the local population regarding environmental conservation.
While these issues are not unique to a specific region, the global impact of large companies exploiting natural resources for their products is undeniable. It is evident that such practices are not only detrimental to the planet but also to all living things. There is a need for greater vigilance and stricter implementation of safety measures by both the people and the government to protect both the environment and humanity.
It is clear that restoring our environment requires the collective effort of an entire nation to address human malpractices and indecency. We need to protect our planet and society from human greed or our excessive desire to accumulate power and abuse resources at the expense of fellow humans.
This is an advocacy that peacebuilders from different sectors should take part in. Let us be conscientious and take part in saving and restoring our planet to its healthiest form. By doing so, we also protect our own humanness.
5. Can you list some of the highlights of the training for you?
There are a lot of things I have gained and reflected on from attending the NARPI Summer Peacebuilding Training, but my 3 highlights are:
- The knowledge and understanding of the Northeast Asia context, some inspiring stories regarding the intersection of peace and technological development in the region, and the meaningful conversations about peacebuilding values I found to be consistent in other contexts as well.
- Meaningful friendships and fortifying relationships. The training provided space for old and newfound friendships, networking, knowledge exchange, and potential collaborations. I also got the opportunity to be connected with mentors and peacebuilders I look up to from the NARPI family and team.
- The training provided me with the time and space to breathe, reflect, and simply enjoy the activities and the learning experiences. Since I’m usually in charge of the MPI Annual Peacebuilding Training, it’s nice to not be the one organizing for a change.
6. What were the key lessons that you learned from the training?
I took the Restorative Justice course at NARPI, and I got to see the strength of restorative justice practices in the Philippines and areas that need improvement as well as the collaboration potential with Northeast Asia and other continents in the world.
From other peacebuilders, I learned that peacebuilding values such as consultation, transparency, honesty, and preservation of human dignity remain the same across various areas and contexts. The opportunity to learn with fellow peacebuilders from other countries not only enriched our knowledge and skills but also fortified the spirit and values of peacebuilding. I also learned different approaches to handling, coordinating, designing, developing, and facilitating MPI’s Education and Training arm from the experience of the participants in their respective organizations.
7. Would you recommend the NARPI training to our MPI partners?
I would absolutely recommend the NARPI Summer Peacebuilding training to our MPI partners and global peace workers as it offers immersive learning experiences that can inspire and motivate individuals to contribute positively to the global peacebuilding community.
8. Do you want to thank anyone who supported you to join this training?
I want to express my gratitude to the Creator for the provisions, grace, and favor, as well as to the MPI and NARPI team for the opportunity to learn and grow. I also want to thank the community of faith and dearest family and friends for their love and support in ways beyond words. And to old and newfound friends I have met at NARPI for all the ways they have enriched my personal and collective peace journey.
All photos in this article are taken by and provided courtesy of NARPI.