A lamp in the heart of peace

Youth in the Philippines are alive with the desire and the commitment to journey with others in creating a world of justice and peace

By Mona Lisa D. Pangan
May 2007

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Some say that peace is an elusive dream, and yet this is what everyone longs for... to live in security and harmony. People all over the world, from all walks of life, are consolidating their efforts to build peace.

Here on the island of Mindanao in the Philippines, there are many young ambassadors who are eager to take up the challenge and work to build a civilization of love, faith, justice and peace.

For example, Muslim, Christian and Indigenous young people from various places in Mindanao gather yearly for four days at Youth Peace Camp. It is a challenge to organize, but the friendships that are made at our Peace Camps have stood the test of time and conflict. After the camp, a core group is chosen. This year I am a member of the core group. We continue to meet quarterly throughout the year for formation in interfaith dialogue and peacebuilding. Sometimes the travel to these meetings is tiring, often requiring us to be absent from school or work. However, we believe that what we are learning together is essential to help us live our lives as peacebuilders.

Campus Ministers are also young peace ambassadors. I am a member of this group at Xavier University. We sponsor regular symposia on dialogue and peace for students. The last one was about Mary, the Mother of Jesus, in the Christian and Muslim perspectives. Again, we don't mind the work involved in arranging the symposia, especially when they are well attended by interested students.

In the work for peace, I believe that inside the heart of the young, a lamp burns with much desire to journey with others in this arduous mission that God has entrusted to all.

We believe in our capacity as youth. We have the heart and commitment to make this trek and are very much willing to attempt what others see as impossible.

Consider us your lamp... for the oil of youth is abundant in journeying into the heart of peace.

Mona Pangan is involved in Interfaith Dialogue at Xavier University Campus Ministry, and is one of the organizers of the Muslim, Christian and Indigenous Youth Peace Camp.

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