Preparation

 

My expectations were to know how a youth organization worked and managed itself to find fund, to work and has the sufficient resources to accomplish its goals. I was curious to see what methodologies it used to work with teenagers and kids.  Also I was interested in knowing how different NGOs develop the themes of poverty and gender equality in countries as Portugal, very affected by the world crisis.

Finally I expected to interchange ways of working and managing issues and problems that all youth NGOs have in matter of training and becoming professional in what we do.

 

My main objective was to present my organization and my country, with the idea to show our similarities in the way that we work for the same objective and at the same time the cultural difference that enriches the interchange and the experience

Also I investigate for my visit I investigate a lot about Portugal and Amarante, Catarina sent to me material about Aventura Marao Club as well and Casa da Juventude. I read a lot about their work.

I was in contact with Catarina and she sent to me the schedule, and I asked her which public they worked with and if I would have a teenager audience and what they expected from my visit

We had this problem with the plane ticket, because from OAJNU we didn’t have the total amount to afford the cost of the plane, but we talked to UNOY and together we solved that.

 

 

Job Shadowing Week

Miguel and Catarina were to pick me up to the Porto’s airport, then we had a quick lunch and we went to our first policy meeting right away.  I met the rest of them in different moments of the day.

I believe that the objectives of the project were presented in my entire visit. We did workshop having in account the Participation of young people. I did have discussions about Cultural diversity. I could learn from other NGOs who worked combating poverty and social exclusion.

Aventura marao club and me exchange our experience and knowledge on how we run our youth organisation, we talked about our experience regarding how to carry out local youth projects (development,implementation and evaluation), and also how developed a joint project between Amarante and oajnu Argentina. In these matters I learned about Youth in action program, and the different areas and projects that it has.

Finally I think this is the best accomplished objective “Cultural diversity: As youth-based peace organisations, all partners in the project promote the importance of respecting and celebrating cultural diversity as well as understanding and dialogue among cultural different groups. Peace is not possible without this”. It was above all an cultural exchange but not only with Portuguese people but with Italian people, Polish people, Georgian people, Spanish people. It was an European exchange and the way they work in this issues.

It was a very positive experience but I find it very short time for the objective of the project. In this time the organization didn’t have a lot of activities already planned, so we observed like an artificial activity of the hosting organization because Aventura marao clube in this case had to planned a lot of non regular activities for my visit. I lost in some point to observe the daily work of the organization.

Another reason is that I think that the better way of learning is doing. The emphasis of the job shadowing experience was placed at the observation of the jobshadower and the policy meetings but not in the helping and working of the jobshadower in the organization itself. It could be an improvement to plan some activities inside a project to do within the hosting organization and the jobshadower as a learning contribution.

 

All in all it was an amazing experience where there were a lot to learn about the hosting organization and the issues that the job shadowing project emphasized.

 

 

General Activity

 

The first day, June 23rd, I arrived to Porto’s airport and Catarina and Miguel were waiting for me. We went to Amarante, a 40 minutes by car and we arrived to Casa da Juventude, we took a quick lunch in bar do Girassol (vegetaria bar) and we went to the city hall. That was my first policy meeting. There were 3 people in the room and the conversation is described later.

I wanted to clarify that all the interviews were done in Portuguese so it was impossible to me to take notes, so for the report I use the digital and printed material that each organization gave me.

Second day we have this workshop with Amarante`s children. There were 20 kids. There were there for a new project in Casa da Juventude about active citizenship. We did dynamic of presentation, then I did my workshop and finally Catarina explained the project. Then all went to the bar to have lunch. Later that day we went to dinner with Catarina and Miguel to a very typical portugeese restorant where we ate the typical meals of the region.

Third day was Sunday, so nothing of work but a enjoyable cultural trip to Guimaraeh and Porto with Stefi and Sergi, two European volunteers that were living in the Casa da juventude and of course Miguel and Catarina. It was an amazing trip and what I enjoyed the most was “Cor de tangerina” a lovely vegetarian restaurant in Guimaraesh so beautiful in the beginning of the summer where I tasted the best fruits juice.

Fourth day I went to Cercimarante with Miguel. I visited al the location, It`s an amazing place for people with disabilities, the facility has all the comfort. A gym, a pool, different room to develop their capacities, etc

Cercimarante provides services to people not only the municipality of Amarante, but also the county of Felgueiras, Lousada, Marco de Canaveses, Baião, Celorico de Basto, Cinfães and Resende.

 

It has 4 centers, the one I visited is the Resource Centre for Inclusion / Teaching Centre. The Teaching Centre is one of four centers CERCIMARANTE, which has operated since 1980, and supports children and young people from 6 to 18 years with special educational needs and disabilities.

 

It has a professional team consisting of a psychologist, a physiotherapist, a professor at the 1st cycle and a teaching assistant. Currently, this strength is attended by five students from the municipality of Amarante and Marco de Bastos Celorico of Canaveses.Given that the school's main aim is to promote personal autonomy of the child / young person so that they reach a level of appropriate behavior and acquisitions, developing the work must be properly structured and planned.

 

The educational project is a process of interaction with the environment of the school, defines general principles and guidelines based on the characteristics of an educational community and is a process of personal development of players. It has as main goal: to raise awareness of school for the preservation of the environment. In this sense it is intended to appeal to the politics of the four R's: Reduce, collect, recycle and reuse.

 

Students benefit from the following areas: academic, psychology, physical therapy, sensory stimulation, personal independence, communication / language, socialization, activities of daily living, crafts, physical education, movement and drama.

 

Fifth day morning   we went to primary school to give a workshop about fair trade for children and to attend to a NGO’s fair that the school organized. We sell fair trade products to the children, parents and teachers that visited the fair and after that Miguel gave a very passionate workshop about fair trade. There were 15 kids in the workshop and 100 in the fair.

 

I tell you a little bit about fair trade: Fair Trade is a trading partnership based on dialogue, transparency and respect that seeks greater equity in international trade. It contributes to sustainable development by offering better trading conditions and securing the rights of marginalized producers and workers - especially in the South

Fair trade principles are:

1.The respect and concern for people and the environment, putting people above profits ("people before profit")

2. The deployment of resources and opportunities for producers to improve their living conditions and working conditions, including paying a fair price (a price that covers the costs of a reasonable income, environmental protection and economic security

3. Openness and transparency of the structure of organizations and all aspects of its activity, and mutual information between all stakeholders in the marketing chain about their products and marketing methods

4. Participation of producers, volunteers and employees in decisions that affect them

5. The protection of human rights, including women, children and indigenous peoples

 

 

Fifth day afternoon we went to nursing home to celebrate with them the feast of St. John We ate the traditional grilled sardines and we enjoy some Fade music. There were about 60 old people living in that home.

 

Sixth day, we went with Catarina to Porto to meet two very interesting organization. One is CAIS Founded in 1994, is a nonprofit association of social solidarity. It works with homeless people and its present in Lisboan and Porto, one of most popular project is the CAIS magazine. This magazine is selling by homeless people in these cities. It was inspired by the English magazine The Big Issue, the magazine CAIS is the first creation of the Association, and has proven to be an integrated socio / cultural success in the processes of psychosocial and occupational homeless, and others at risk . It is these that sell exclusively on the street.

 

The CAIS mission is to contribute to the general improvement of the life conditions of the homeless and their family, social and economically vulnerabilities in situations of deprivation, exclusion and risk.

 

We went to visit the director of CAIS Porto and she showed us the facilities and what they do there. In that moment there was a workshop about recycling for selling, People there was doing a bottle umbrella.

 

Then we went  to visit ARRIMO but in the Street of the historic district of Porto. This organization intends to intervene with individuals, communities and institutions and / or associations for the eradication of poverty, social exclusion, injustice and the promotion of fundamental rights to health, democracy, education, work, culture, influence on the social change in different spheres of activity and exercise of active citizenship .

 

We were witnesses of one of their project “links”. LINKS Project is implemented through a set of nearby structures (street team, office equipment, mobile support unit and community network) with the aim of health and social support for users of illicit drugs, without the social environment and family. Its goal is to improve the socio-health of those affected, marginalized and excluded from community services, social service and flanges and appropriate therapeutic.

 

So we went with one of the staff to walk the streets of Porto distributing material for a healthy use of drugs. We passed in front of the drug dealers and then we went to the use points where we delivered metallic paper and plastic paper. This girl explained to us that most of the people that we saw there were homeless people and the use aspirated heroin. There were 10 people there and she told us as well that that was the point of the city for that kind of use. In the other part of the city was the place to injected, that place was more shaking and dangerous.

 

 

The seventh and last day was a happy day, we went with the kids involved in Portogaliza project to Santiago de Compostela to meet there this other organization called Itaka. There were 18 kids Claudia a volunteer from Poland, Catarina, Miguel and me

 

We left Casa da Juventude and its entire goodpeople and began the journey. We arrived to Santiago of Compostela and we met the other organization’s children, about 10 and its staff. That afternoon was to introduce ourselves and to talk about the reason we where there and that Itaka explained the schedule of the week. They had to do the Santiago’s walk and the rehearsed by a played that the have to do for a little town there.

 

These activities were in the frame of a project called Portogaliza which it was a multimeasures project of the Youth in Action. The objectives of the project were: To promote cultural solidarity and tolerance between young people of Galicia and northern Portugal.

  - To Promote the active participation  of young people, especially those with less opportunities

-To provide young people the communication tools, verbal and nonverbal (in the non-formal education context)

-To encourage young people for active citizenship

-To provide professional training in Humans Rights, environment, multiculturalism, and so on.

  - To promote critical thinking and initiative through contact with good practice in youth entrepreneurship, creativity and innovation.

In that moment we were in the third and last part of the project and that was my last day as a jobshadower.

 

 

 

Policy Meeting

My first policy meeting was with the Amarante Local Council of Social Action. Elisabete Macedo is the responsable of the Social network program. We went with Catarina to the municipality in my first day in Amarante.

This social network is a forum for coordination and assembly of efforts, Through free membership in various public organizations or private nonprofit ones, whose goal are related with social and local development

its objectives are combat extreme poverty and social exclusion and promote social inclusion andcoesión; promote integrated development; promote an integrated and systematic planning, promoting synergies, expertise and resources, contribute to the awareness, support the objectives of the national social action plan; ensure greater efficiency and coverage of responses and local facilities;

The device's features include:

1.       Development of diagnostics and action plans for the area

2.       Development and implementation of programs and projects

3.       Survey information (local assesment and dissemination of statistics)

4.       Assess the problems and proposed solutions to them presentandos

5.       Promote the progressive articulation of social intervention of local actors

6.       Conferences and initiatives to promote better personal and collective consciousness of social problems

7.       Direct contact with individuals and families in greatest shortage

We talked about other projects as

●        Integrated service attendance: which is the integration of  different social services

It is a social response that seeks to support families and the persons in the prevention or repair of generators and problems generated by risk or social exclusion, seated on a reciprocal technical / patient, taking into account the promotion of conditions enabling their insertion through support, development and support of a life project

It is a new form of organization and management of the existing services and level of care and social support, for effective use of resources and coordination between entities diferrentes. A multidimensional approach and territorial problems

●        Curriculim Literacia Digital: computer courses for Amarante people

●        The commission for the protection of children and youth:it is a legal non-government institute with functional autonomy which has the followingobjectives:

To promote the rights of children and youth; to prevent situations susceptible to affect the safety, health, training, education orintegral desarrllo the child or young

It is intended for persons under 18 years of the town of Amarante that are in a state of neglect, suffer abuse or are victims of sexual abuse, do not receive care appropriate to their age, are obliged to perform work activities or excessive and inappropriate to their age, dignity and status.

The comission acts when parent or legal representatives threatening in any of the above aspects the integrety of the child, or when there is a danger of the act or omission of third parties involved

It was really interesting. I learned a lot about how it is managed the social department in Amarante and I could compare it with our system here in Mendoza. I was impressed by the Integrated service attendance, they had improved the results of their work with this system.

The importance that the city council gived to multiculturalism and the inclusion of immigrants; the integral protection to the children rigths and the joint effort and work between state and civil society

 

●        Project: School program,which seeks to promote the social, economic and academic inclusion of inmigrant families of Amarante

 

 

Workshop

The workshop was the main objective of sharing our culture difference and similarities with the end of showing the iporntance that the culture has in the human development.

My expectation were that people could known about oajnu and our work as volunteers, that I can learn about how the lived in Amarante and Portugal.

That we could share our cultures and highlight the importance that these kind of cultural activities has to the develpment.

Finally that the kids knew about Argentina and our culture:

 

·         The culture importance to de human development

·         OAJNU and Argentina’s Culture

·         Amarante and the portugeese’s culture

The target group was 15 teenagers from 14 to 18, 2 Casa da Juventude’s  volonteers and organizatiosn’s staff,

I prepared a powerpoint presentation avc photos and information about OAJNU, Argentina and Mendoza. The workshop resulted well but we have some issues of comunication. The problem was that kids didn’t know nothing of english and I didn’t know Portugeese nether. I didn’t foresee this but Catarina helped translated some things but I didn’t do all my workshop the way I wanted

Children they were interesed but with comunication’s problem. We had a problem to comunicate within us, because I didn’t know Portugeese and they didn’t know nothing of english or spanish, we comunicated between spanish and Portugeese but I felt a little bit frustrated because I didn’t reach them the way I expected and the workshop was shorter than I would had planified

The idea of the activity was in a first place that these kids kown about others organizations in others parts of the world worked to ameliorate the way of life of teenagers and young people. So I showed them OAJNU and th second objective was talked abour the importance of the culture to the deelopment, and iexchange in a diynamic way our different ways of life, and ours similarity too. One trigger was the typical argentinian candies and drinks. So they tasted alfajores and mate. We talked about the habitudes and manners in Argentina and in Portugal.I think that the same number because we had some issues with the language and I’m not sure if the fully understood me

The methodologie was:  a power point presentation with many triggers about similarities and difference of Argentina and latinoamerican Culture and the European culture. Another power point presentatio about OAJNU Argentina with many pictures and videos, explanning what we do. Finally A tasted activitie, where kids taste candies and typical drinks of Argentina, and they had to say what the thought about them.

It was very friendly, kids participated a lot and were very interesting. I learned a lot about Amarante, the city, their school, their music, what kind of meals are tipical from the region.

The  ulterior objective of the activity was sharing each other culture till de perspective of the need that it has to be present in any politics about development. The message was not so clear because kids couldn’t in some moments understand me and that did the workshop slow, so we change it to an informal talk and that had better results.

 

Abubakarr Messeh Kamara is former National President of the Children’s Forum Network and founding Chief Executive Officer, Young Leaders (Sierra Leone), and he’s currently a global youth sector consultant and student of law at the University of London. At aged 23, Messeh has already contributed and supported a number of youth projects across the world, and he also is the co-founder of Aftermath International, a charity helping young victims of natural disasters, conflicts and global crisis.  

UNOY Peacebuilders welcomed Messeh Kamara as a representative of Young Leaders Sierra Leone in its office from 18 to 27 September 2011. Messeh visited UNOY as part of the global job shadowing project “Learning by seeing, seeing by doing” to exchange practices on project implementation. He also gave a unique presentation on “Case studies/ testimonies from Sierra Leone on ending war and promoting lasting peace” in post war Sierra Leone.  

 

KEY ACTIVITIES:

 

1. UNOY  Peace Builders
2. The International Criminal Courts
3. GHRD - Global Human Rights Defence
4. Cordaid
5. CARE Netherlands
6. International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia
7. International Day of Peace Events (Jam for Peace).
8. The Peace Palace
9. Parliament Building

 

Introduction

 

 

My official mission was to  participate on a Job-shadowing  project  with the simple aim to learn and share my experiences of ending war and promoting lasting peace in Sierra Leone, as part of the UNOY job-shadow project (‘’Learning by doing and doing by seeing’’).

 

The visit was the first of its kind and credit must be given to those who advocated so strongly for such an event where young people from diverse backgrounds across the world were given the opportunity to learn and share their experiences on peace building.

 

The Hague is a city of international character and importance.  Internationally, The Hague is often known as the "judicial capital of the world" due to the many international courts that are located in the city. Among these are the International Court of Justice, the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia and the International Criminal Court. Beside these institutions, The Hague is home to more than 150 international organizations, as well as many EU institutions, multinational companies and embassies. This gives the city a distinct international character.

 

Preparation and Stay

 

Given the short time available to make travel arrangement and secure visa, it was a miracle that I was able to participate on such an important activity.  Tremendous effort was put into the organisation of the programme and ensuring as rich   experience as possible for me.

As I got on the city shuttle train from Schiphol Airport, I met some Dutch folks who also speak English on the train- we shared a warm greeting­. Honestly, I felt like I was back-home in Sierra Leone. One of the first things I noticed was that the streets were filled with cyclists. They were everywhere and seemed to own the roads more so than the cars.

Initially, I was housed in one hotel which did its best to look after me, internet facilities were provided. The Court Garden Hotel is the first sustainable hotel in The Hague: it has an official Green Certificate of the Ministry of Environment, the Energy label A. The rooms are ecodesigned: the hotel uses green energy, has triple glazing and applies energy saving measures such as using LED’s, motion sensors, timers, gas absorption heat pump system, water savers, etc. In the bathrooms you will find organic soap and shower products.  

 

In the hotel you can choose from Fairtrade and/or organic products, including the Dutch delicious organic breakfast, coffee, tea, juices, wines, salads, fruit, chocolate etc. Smoking is not allowed in the hotel, but they have an open smoking area in the garden. The rooms were good, clean and well looked after and the food was excellent but lacked in variety.  

 

 Entertainment and sight seeing:

 

The organisers made sure that there was plenty of entertainment for me.  In fact, I felt that there was even too much entertainment which detracted from the task at hand.

 

I was also given plenty of entertainment through music and other visitation to important places. The organising committee of the host organisation did a wonderful job in this regard. The learning journeys to some important places were educational and useful.

 

I had dinner and lunch at some very nice restaurants in town! UNOY invited me to attend their staff lunch, a traditional Dutch style. I was so honoured to be invited and had a feel of a staff lunch at the offices of UNOY. Also, the dinner and all the hospitality was a marvellous experience! 

 

However, time constraints resulted in some of the proposed outreach visitation not being fully realised in some cases, as I had to cut my trip short, returning earlier than thought.

 

 

 The International Day of Peace Events (18th September) –Peace Jam

 

The Peace Jam was inspirational, colourful, and well thought out and designed.  UNOY should be congratulated for an event in such a fantastic hall, with a diverse group of participants.  A larger stage space would have made the event greater in terms of its stage performance impact.  I was very pleased to be in the midst of other peace builders and to have been part of such a very good programme, in support of peace.

 

 

 Visit to Care the Netherlands and Cordaid

 

My key highlights of the trip, was my participation in meetings with CARE Netherlands and Cordaid. Both organisations are partners to UNOY and are very much interested in youth matters. I found it very interesting to learn about the organisational structure of CARE as well as the various projects CARE has in Sierra Leone.  Care runs agricultural and economic projects in Sierra Leone, and there was a discussion to include the YLSL into its projects in-country.

 

Cordaid was also very keen to involve young people in to its projects, but on a wider scale, mostly from across Africa. Cordaid has plans to invite a young person to present at a meeting in the Arab community in 2012, and would like the YLSL to be involved.

 

GHRD - Global Human Rights Defence

 

I was also very opportune to participate on a training event, hosted by GHRD—a partner organisation of UNOY. During the training, I was living and learning together with a host of over 20 young people from across the world.  The training made me more aware of different cultures and how peace could be promoted through inter-cultural dialogue.

 

There were lecture sessions by leading academics in The Hague and also discussions about peace and culture. During the workshop, we were  able  to also  discus on and deal with the immigration policies of the EU and introduce common migration trends and what these concretely mean for citizens of the host countries and the immigrants themselves and why the immigration policy is in some countries tougher and in others not.

 

As a result of the workshop and follow-up, participants were asked to propose their own small projects particularly related to social inclusion, which they can later realize in their own communities, of which I was able to contribute and helped produce a group project.  

 

 

The whole experience:

 

I got a great personal and professional development. I made many friends and visited some fantastic places, not only in centre of The Hague but to some other important places in the outskirt of the Netherlands.I liked it very much! It was a great experience to visit The Hague.

 

I also liked the public transport. It’s much better than Sierra Leone public transport. I experienced The Hague’s nightlife as awesome! A lot of fun!  

 

The Netherlands is a great country, historic row houses and freewheeling social policies that attract visitors from the world over. As I discovered, it’s also a country of very determined cyclists and committed distance walkers.

 

The experience helped me bond, I learned a lot about different culture, and peace building initiatives, I made new friends, I visited unforgettable places and did unforgettable things. I became inspired by the most amazing people you could meet, I felt we made a difference and I can truly say I have never felt so content in my entire life as I did in those two weeks in The Hague. Truly life changing...

 

In any way, if a programme of this nature is to justify its existence in allowing the people to exchange experiences in a meaningful manner, build their capacity, develop the strongest possible contacts and networks, build a sense of  peace building and prepare for feedback from the trip to participating organisation, sufficient time and resources is needed.  

 

Moderators

 

The Peace Day Celebration was moderated by:

 

Safwan A. Nantamba: He holds a first degree in Human Resource management from the Central University College, Accra Ghana. He currently is a business man in the music industry serving as a musician and a song writer. Before this he was a youth advocate in the Development of the MDG’s under the Global youth Action Network.

 

Fatimah Dari Iddisah: AFinal Year student of the University of Cape-coast, Ghana. She currently works part time with Export Promotion and investment Fund with the Government of Ghana. She has been an active volunteer with the young Peace Brigades in respect to the Jobshadowing project and intends to stay a bit longer. She has been youth ambassador for the since 2006 and counting.

 

 

OPENING MESSAGE FOR THE PEACE DAY CELEBRATION: A message from Adel Umar Ibrahim, Programs Coordinator, YPB Ghana.

I must first apologize for the delay in the starting of this wonderful day, the peace day. This is in part as a result of today being a holiday and in part as lack of understanding of the importance of this day to some of our invited guests. But we had a plan B, so forgive me for the change in program line up.

 

I want to thank you all for taking out time to join us in the celebration of this day. I deem it important to say that, the international Day of Peace is a global holiday for individuals, organizations and nations to celebrate peace building and peacemaking on a shared date. This annual International Day of Peace was established by the UN as a "global call for ceasefire and non-violence... a time to reflect on the horror and cost of war and the benefits of peacefully resolving our disputes.” It is also important to note that The Jobshadowing Project “Learning by seeing, seeing by doing” is a training and networking activity of the Youth in Action program, in the form of a job-shadowing exchange AND advocacy project and this particular one Learning BySeeing, Seeing ByDoing is sponsored by the European Commission’s Youth in Action Program under the auspices of The United Network of Young Peace Builders.

With this in mind, let us ponder over these last few words, perchance we may agree on some basic details: ending violent conflicts across the world is not to just have peace but it is to have numerous opportunities: it is to some extent reduce poverty, have dreams and be able to pursue them. In some countries the youth have been deprived, you will agree that most war zones in have not left for their youth a lot to desire. In Ghana we have enjoyed utmost peace over the years, had opportunities to education, family, entertainment, created wealth, health etc. but all other conflict zones enjoyed peace once. As we are about to enter an election year (2012), this platform is to serve as an opportunity to reflect on whence we came and what lies ahead.

On a basic level, we the young people have the right to education, health and safety. If all is given with choices and opportunities, we will live healthier and more productive lives. We are a creative and strong that we must develop our abilities and talents to utmost use. We are the agents of change and we need to get our voices heard from which ever corner we emerge, irrespective of political, religious, tribal or social status. We need to get actively involved in pressing issues such as the one on violent conflict annihilation. There is no hierarchy today, we all own the program and I urge that you see it as such as we proceed. Feel ok to share your taught on the way forward.

 

Once more thank you for joining us and enjoy the day, this is peace day.

 

Good Morning.

 

SUMMARY OF THE LAST TWO DAYS BEFORE THE PEACE DAY

 

Monday the 19^th of September, 2011

 

On this day we did the final follow up by visiting the three main Organizations who were to join us for the peace day celebration;

 

1.      The West Africa Network for Peace Building - Wanep (Resource Org.)

2.      The ministry of Women and Children Affairs (The Minister)

3.      The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration (The Minister)

 

At the end of the day, we had two confirmations that stated clearly they would be present on the day and that was the ministry of Foreign Affairs and Wanep. Both The Ministry of Women and Children asked that we check up again the following day. The reason was that they were not certain if the Deputy Minister herself would make it, this was therefore to first have confirmation, then they will send a representative in case the Minister cannot make it.

 

Tuesday, the 15^th of September.

 

On this day we were involved in a lot of preparations considering the fact that the following day was the Peace day. We had to first run phone calls to all the invited organizations and the media to reconfirm their participation in the program, and then we proceeded to the Ghana National Association of Teachers Hall to clean and arrange the venue.

Around 2pm however, I had a call to from Wanep (Resource Org.) and this was the message, I quote “Mr. Emmanuel Bombande (The Executive Director, Wanep) said he can’t make it your program, this is because tomorrow is a holiday and as such he intends to rest, we are sorry for the inconveniences”. I found that a little too hard to believe, so I asked, “Who will be representing him then”, his secretary then said, “No one Sir, there will be no one immediately available to attend due the same reason, tomorrow is a holiday and you organize a program on such a day, you should know you can’t get people to attend, im sorry”. There and then I said thank you and this was when the drama began; the resource organization that was to take up the main theme cannot make it. At this point I panicked, so immediately I started running calls to get a substitute but all proofed futile. In the midst of this challenge I had a call from the ministry of women and children stating the same reason given by Wanep, as the reason they won’t be coming for the program. We needed time to think. The day ended after we went in to purchase refreshments and the materials needed for the Program.

 

 

 

Initial Program Line Up

 

I have taken the liberty to reproduce on this page the initial program line up. A summary of what we had wanted to do on the peace day before the challenges we were faced with:

 

The theme, Ghana and World Peace, was selected by YPB on the basis of our National Peace and what Ghana can do in its small way to bring about peace in the World. As to whether this is attainable or a mirage is for us to wait and witness as the youth participants discuss and share their personal ideas on “How Not To” and “How To” achieve this peace. This we believe will bring to light new ideas and ways of solving peace related issues and also give an opportunity to participants to activate and access their creative minds. We will however, initiate the program with this open forum in the presence of the invited Government Representatives and the Resource organization, followed by a lecture on the said theme. This procedure will allow the resource team to first listen to the youth, in order to reform and recommend amongst the ideas presented by the youth, the most suitable ones to use in peace building and conflict resolution.

 

The second lecture will be based on how one can harness some domestic, national and international conflicts by just adhering to the usage of certain basic Natural laws of human. Despite the second lecture being a Specialty of YPB and would not require an external resource person, we will allow the other resource persons to touch or criticize on the subject with questions from the participants. The essence of the second lecture however is to equip each representative with the necessary skill to be themselves agents of Conflict resolutions and serve as peer educators in Promoting and sharing the Jobshadowing project themes in their various organizations and communities, and for those of them who get to travel outside of Ghana, they will have the opportunity to share these ideas with other youth leaders in the World, thereby boiling down to Ghana’s Contribution in World Peace. Participants after the second lecture will then be allowed to ask questions, followed by another lecture.

 

At this point we will open the floor for refreshments, interactions and possible collaborations between participated organizations and setting a date for the first meeting of the established Board. It is also important to note that the participated organizations will be the very contact in mobilizing the youth for the Campaign in favor of the youth which will be taking place after the Jobshadowing and before Mid-November.

 

Closing Prayer will then climax the program.

 

This final part of the program is optional to Government Representatives and WANEP, and so we will appreciate if the media will stay.

 

We will set up a board consisting of a member from each participating organization to follow up and continue the organization of the peace day in subsequent years to come with YPB as the focal point; A program we will Dub UNOY Peace Day, Learning by Seeing, Seeing By Doing. We alsointend to raise local funds for its organization in subsequent years, but international help will be well appreciated.

 

 

Summary of Challenges

 

The last two days before the peace day posed a lot of challenges and we are not sure if this has to do with Africa yet Again. These challenges, we have classified into two. The first is pre-Crisis; challenges we had before the peace day and the second is Celebration Day’s Challenges; this represents the crisis we had on the Day of the Peace Celebration.

 

Pre-Crisis

 

These were challenges we couldn’t exert any changes to, but to look for alternatives:

 

1.      The Resource Organization (WANEP) at about 3 hours to the end of working hours on Tuesday the 20^th of September 2011, communicated to us, their in-ability to join us for the peace day celebration. It was same with the ministry of Women and Children Affairs.

 

2.      Some of the Media, who were joining us to take coverage started withdrawing after hearing the latest developments on the absence of both the Deputy Minister For Women and Children, and Wanep.

 

3.      And five of the participating organizations outside of Accra called in to request that their transportation be taken care of which was beyond our reach at that time considering it was only a few more hours to the Peace Day. And this was in part because initially they agreed to join us at their own expense in order to celebrate this great day.

 

 

Celebration Day’s Challenges

 

1.                   At about 3am on the 21^st September (Peace Day) the weather changed and started dropping in on Accra some rain showers. Then at about 7am it was a heavy rain, flooding most of our gutters and streets. This made it almost impossible for cars to journey but to wait till it subsides.

 

2.      As part of a national celebration of the peace day, Nestle Ghana organized what we call the Milo marathon. Unlike every other year, this time they blocked most of the principal streets to the Ministries which was where we were to hold the program. This lead to a heavy traffic which made easy accessibility to the programs ground extremely tough. Some participants had to drop and walk to the site, others had to return home.

 

                           

 

3.      It’s a norm in Ghana that whenever there is heavy rain the Electricity cooperation of Ghana switches off electricity until the rain subsides from thunder strikes. This again posed a little bit of a difficulty having to go get Fuel for a generator which was provided for the hall.

 

4.      The overall crisis ate into our time coupled with the rain also made it impossible to take up the walk we had planned for.

 

 

Summary of the Peace Day Celebration

 

The program started with a film show “Sometimes in April”, a movie that reveals the tribal war that existed between the Hutu’s and Tutsi’s of Rwanda after the United Nations negotiated a power sharing agreement between the two sides in 1993. Participants were allowed to watch this movie to remind each one of us the consequences of war once it starts showing its ugly head. After which we started the discussion of the first presentation dubbed, Ghana’s Oil in Peace; Attainable or a Mirage?

 

Participants made very meaningful contributions on this topic. They understood the situation and accepted the fact that our parents have strived and craved to locate oil in the shores of Ghana. This oil however is what they are leaving for us and are currently enacting policies on how it should be used for our benefits – and they say this is our future. Now if that is true should we not be part of its planning and implementation, but the youth are continuously being pushed aside. So, basically much of the worry was based on four main issues:

 

1.      That, the Government of Ghana should establish some policies with the youth for the youth in ensuring the rightful use of oil revenues for the benefits of the country first, especially the poor majority. Some young people are of the opinion that the thematic issues that border on young people should be included in National Youth Policies.

 

2.      Others are of the opinion that the international community should put in more effort to facilitate youth involvement in policy making in their respective countries.

 

3.      That, these policies should be established with all the political parties, youth and all stakeholders, and then deep rooted in our constitution with the rules stating clearly that it can’t be changed by any single group or political party except by the same groups or organizations who together sat on a round table to establish them.

 

4.      That, the Government together with the youth and other stakeholders must ensure that at the end of all negotiations with foreign oil companies, the Government of Ghana must have majority shares in the revenues accrued from the oil.

 

5.      That, an independent organization should be formed by the youth with vigilance to keep an eye on Government, to discuss in the media every bad move by the government or stakeholders, and given power under the constitution to prosecute and jail if deemed necessary any Government Official or stakeholder guilty of corruption, embezzlement or money laundering. Some suggest that corruption and illegal acquisition or laundering of funds has played a major role in some other African Countries who have oil but the majority suffer economic hardship.

 

6.      That, the policies once established must be let out in the public for general discussion rather than kept secret in the midst of a few elevated citizens and that is because a few say that the poor and vulnerable are not consulted and hence their views are not well reflected.

 

             

 

“The government is extremely cautious in planning my country’s development, with the main actors being high level civil servants. You generally will not see youth involvement in any policy development, unless they happen to be young (younger than 35) outstanding civil servants rising the rank”

 

Bernise Ang,

Founder of the Singapore International Youth Council

Singapore

 

 

We took a break after the discussion to first of all officially launch the Peace Day Celebration T-shirts and to take in some refreshments. The T-shirts showcased in front the Logo of the Jobshadowing project, Learning by Seeing, Seeing by Doing, the logo of the European Commission (Youth In Action Program), the United Network of Young Peace Builders Logo with the Logo of Young Peace Brigades at the back of the shirt.

 

Refreshment was in the form of socialization amongst the various organizations as they enjoyed their Khebab’s and fresh Yoghourt.

 

The second presentation took turn after the 30 minutes leg stretch and refreshment. The topic, Can Understanding Human Nature helps in Conflict Resolution? Was moderated by Adel Umar Ibrahim and the focus was based on the fact that when conflicts occur, amongst the civilians, it is usually the less privileged groups who have no skill or training that get actively involved in the massacres. A time they claim they are able to share their grievances; the struggle in which they were born into, coupled with the Governments Neglect of such societies. Participants therefore urged that the Government must not take lightly the nature of Humans; that when humans are pushed extremely into a corner for a very long time against their will it comes to a time when they rebel. In most cases this rebellion once it arises are not handled in the right frame work, which leads to the uprising and the formation of various rebel groups.

 

The participants also acknowledged the fact that we must all play an essential role in wanting to hear their cries. Some of them end up there not because they wanted to but because they lacked the childhood training that could lead them to good jobs and better livelihood and this is also largely due to poverty. For most of them all they need are jobs.

 

The discussion then went further to blame Governments for most of these situations we have to unfortunately find ourselves in. The most unfortunate thing is the reality on ground when these uprisings occur. Instead of the Government investigating into the main reasons behind the uprising they quickly get involved in killing, arresting and jailing of some of the rebels which in itself fuels the rest of the rebels. We must remember that for the rebel he claims he is fighting for what is rightly his and the government in turn calls them warlords and criminals when indeed all they are asking for is food and acknowledgement.

 

In the nutshell however, the discussion threw light and took various turns around these two main factors:

 

1)  That, Governments must work hard and focus largely on using our natural resources, now oil inclusive to create new jobs and opportunities for the average Ghanaian to be able to feed and educate their young ones. This will further prevent a major up-rising.

 

 

2)   Once an Up-rising begins however, the Government in as much as should not allow rebel groups to feel empowered, must not rush into haunting them down, but first investigate into what their main worries are and quickly find remedies to these worries. Unless otherwise established that these worries are mischievous and will not benefit the majority, even so Government must use good human relations first to try harnessing the situation before the use of force if deemed necessary. In all Violence should be last. 

 

After the second presentation, a candle was lighted and all the participants lighted their candles from that one candle. A minute silence was then witnessed by us all for the recent deaths in the Arab World Uprising, from Libya to Egypt, and Syria etc. with a song by Safwan A Nantamba titled, “Shelter”. 

 

The program quickly came to an end after the Minute silent candle light.

 

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               

CONCLUSION

 

The Peace Day celebration exposed us to some truth that the current youth in Ghana have drawn lessons from other African nations and that very few of the participants were not informed about the current oil policies. It also created an opportunity to identify young people who have been involved in the development of peace building and Peace making and to share their experience at the Peace Day Celebration 2011.

 

Furthermore, the Peace Day Celebration created awareness amongst the participant the important role young people can play to ensure transparency and accountability in our various Government agencies. The major thematic issues relevant to youth covered in the discussion with respect to what oil money’s should be used for covered areas such as education, heath, employment and youth participation.

 

As the summaries above show, participants proposed several ideas on how to move forward. One idea we would like to emphasize in this conclusion is the idea on Policies with the youth for the youth. They also suggested that these processes should be supported by monitoring and evaluation mechanisms to assess progress made and that the policies should be initiated by young people and put into shape by all stakeholders including youth organizations together with the UN and other international and national groups.

 

The final outcome of the Peace Day Celebration also indicates that young people are a creative and energetic resource that everyone must cultivate and nourish from. They are leaders of today and tomorrow and need to be given greater attention in order to eliminate poverty and make our world a better one to live in.

 

 

 

CEIPES organized activities like:

-          Photo contest PEACE IN YOUNG PEOPLE’S EYES

-          Photo exhibition

-          Watched documentaries movies concerning peace

-          Create short movie about peace.

-          Participation in  Peace Day Festival, Forestside, Northern Ireland 

Photo contest

From 29.July till 9. Septemberin the framework of International Day of CEIPES organized a photo contest entitled PEACE IN YOUNG PEOPLE’S EYES, where 26 participant from 10 countries send a total of 56 photos.  The main aim of the photo contest was to create a space where young people can freely and creatively express their ideas and opinions about peace.

The finalist of the contest are:

1^st Asmaa Abdelatif from Egypt

2 ^th Mohammad Sharafdin from Iran

3 ^th Irena Kroc  from Poland

 

Participants, which pictures will be on photo exhibition PEACE IN YOUNG PEOPLE’S EYES:

-        Tereze Elpere (Latvia)

-        Mustafa Eren Uzun (Turkey)

-        Isabella Antonucci (Italy)

-        Elena Pagallo (Italy)

-        Reza Kavosh (Spain)

-        Asmaa Abdelatif (Egypt)

-        Mohammad Sharafdin  (Iran)

-        Irena Kroc  (Poland)

 

The winner- Asmaa Abdelatif- about motivation to participate: I decided to participate due to my love and passion to photography since 2 years ago also I believe that each contest or small exhibition will give experience and  help in my life career in photography field. I love learning , watching photography. I hope that one day I can make my dream true which is  study abroad "photojournalism photography". So you can call me amateur to photography or may be obsess to photography.

 

Irena Kroc from Poland about motivation in photo exhibition PEACE IN YOUNG PEOPLE’S EYES:I decided to participate in this contest, because in my opinion, the best way to spread information about PEACE, to express and show it - is Photography. Visualization always reaches to people better than just words! PEACE - union, calmness, happiness.

 

Photo exhibition participant Reza Kavosh: I am not a photographer by profession but a Master student of Peace, Conflict, and Development studies, but I am interested to take photo and work in the field of peace and conflict resolution. Several years I have been  travelling to different countries in Asia and Europe. This experience has made me realize that most people disregard less of their race, skin colour, nationality, culture, or religious or spiritual affiliations, are joining hands together with the sole aim of how peace and harmony can be achieved. United we stand, divide we fall. I believe peace is not merely the absence  of conflict but rather, it has  a lot to do with the spirituality of a human being. Society and people can only achieve the peace when everyone shall have  gained his/her internal peace. This is what always comes to my mind when  I hear or talk about peace.

Photo contest participants werefrom Latvia, Poland, Egypt, Turkey, Italy, Spain, Kenya, Iran, Armenia and Portugal.

CEIPES decided to create this contest, because  we wanted to encourage and promote the development of individuals through education and human rights as well as international cooperation and peace day give us such change, namely,  International day of Peace provides an opportunity for individuals, organizations and nations to create practical acts of peace on shared date.

·        All photos available in the following link:

http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.130622260364013.28121.100572056702367&type=1 

First place:

http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=143987232360849&set=a.130622260364013.28121.100572056702367&type=1&theater

 

Second place:

http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=144913395601566&set=a.130622260364013.28121.100572056702367&type=1&theater

 

Third place:

http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=143455835747322&set=a.130622260364013.28121.100572056702367&type=1&theater

 

 

We would like to give a special thanks to Riccardo Scibetta, a Italian professional photographer, who participated in the selection of the photos.

 

Photo contest was heldon the framework of the Peace day project, which is implementing within the framework ofproject “Learning by seeing, seeing by doing”. The project “Learning by seeing, seeing by doing” is a training and networking activity of the Youth in Action program, in the form of a job-shadowing exchange and advocacy project.

 

Photo exhibition& documentary movies

In 21.September CEIPES together with Human Rights Youth Organization from Palermo organized photo exhibition and documentary movie watching as well as several different activities concerning with peace topic.

In photo exhibition PEACE IN YOUNG PEOPLE'S EYES, where was exposed photo contest finalist images from Italy, Latvia, Turkey, Egypt, Iran, Poland and Spain was possible to sawfreely and creatively expressed ideas, opinions and  comprehension about peace.CEIPES and Human Rights Youth Organization will gave possibility to enjoy  two documentary movies- One Peace at a Time(2003) and Playing for Change: Peace Through Music(2003). Movie One Peace at a Timeis an inspiring look at the possibility of providing basic rights to every child. Shot in 20 countries on 5 continents, the film features the insights of Nobel Laureates. Playing for Change: Peace Through Music is a story of hope, struggle, perseverance and joy, where filmmakers explore both the motivation and the music of the contemporary street busker by showing just the lengths to which these entertainers will go to share their music with the public.

 

Human Rights Youth Organization:          

http://www.humanrightsyouthorganization.net/

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Short movie about peace

Video shows in how many varied ways peace can be seen and achieved by young people. People with different skin color, nationality, culture, religious or spiritual affiliations have their own way of interpreted peace.

Participants from Italy, France, Latvia, Portugal, Turkey and Kenya.

Movie available:

http://www.youtube.com/user/CEIPES#p/f/0/5K1Bh7Gq6FM

 

Participation in  Peace Day Festival, Forestside, Northern Ireland 

CEIPES send a short message and a picture representing our group for peace day.

 

The idea of this event was to give people a greater awareness of the global community we all belong to.

 

 

Here is the final picture:

 

 

 

Media coverage of the activities GenPeace promoted in order to

celebrate the International Day of Peace: 

 

‘One  Million  Voices  for  Peace’  launched  

By Penelope P. Endozo

Philippine Daily Inquirer

Hundreds of youths joined the celebration of International Peace Day in Quezon City Wednesday, which took on a new meaning this year as it coincided with the anniversary of the declaration of martial law 39 years ago.

After declaring a suspension of military operations across the country to honor Peace Day, students and out-of-school youths are seeking a longer ceasefire through the “One Million Voices for Peace” campaign for a final settlement of the communist and Muslim insurgencies.

“Peace Day is remembered globally but what sets the Philippine celebration apart is that the date coincides with the commemoration of the declaration of martial law. This is why our national theme this year is ‘Peace is our right.’” We are highlighting our collective right to peace,” said Debbie Cabanag, who has been participating in the United Nations-declared celebrations for the past three years.

In One Million Voices for Peace (facebook.com/givepeaceashot), the young and the young-at-heart are encouraged to “give face to peace” by declaring their support for the peace talks with the Communist Party of the Philippines and the separatist Moro Islamic Liberation Front.

The youth network, Generation Peace (GenPeace), organized the simultaneous celebrations in 7 key areas—Cebu, Nueva Vizcaya, Iloilo, Surigao del Norte, Agusan del Norte, Agusan del Sur and Quezon City. Eight indigenous peoples groups also conducted peace rituals in the Sierra Madre in Luzon and in Mount Apo in Davao.

Most of the people who witnessed martial law as it happened identified themselves as part of Gen X, while most of the participants in the event responded to the call of Gen Y.

“Here, we’re all GenPeace,” said one out-of-school youth who joined the fun run.

In a message he sent, President Benigno Aquino III said “the government pledges solidarity to this cause, in accordance with the conviction that the Filipino people’s progress is founded on an environment of peace and stability.”

Colonel Dickson Hermoso, chief of the Armed Forces Peace Process, said the administration’s new policy was no longer about winning the war by arms, but winning the peace through civilian and medical missions.

“What we have to arrest are the threats to human security such as poverty. We in the military cannot do that alone,” he said.

 

MANILA BULLETIN

International Day of Peace 2011

September 20, 2011, 10:21pm

MANILA, Philippines— Now on its 30th year, International Day of Peace or Peace Day provides an opportunity for individuals, organizations, and nations around the world to promote peace and sustainability. This year’s theme is “Make Your Voice Heard.”

Established in 1981 by virtue of a United Nations (UN) resolution, the firstPeace Day was celebrated on the third Tuesday of September, 1982. In 2002, the UN officially declared September 21 as the permanent date for the observance of Peace Day which it said, “shall hereafter be watched as theday of worldwide non-violence and ceasefire, a summons to all states and people to respect a termination of resentment.”

It invited all member states, UN agencies, and non-government associations to observe the day by broadening public awareness and education on the theme and assisting the UN in promoting and strengthening the ideals ofpeace.

Events vary in scale, form, and duration. They may be as simple a gesture as lighting a candle for peace at midday, sitting down in silent meditation and prayer, staging a concert for peace, organizing a forum.

In the Philippines, there will be a sports and health event “Peace is Our Right,” a celebration of peace day through music and the arts “7th Rhymes for Peace,” and a Student Peace Summit focusing on the subtheme “Magkakaiba. Nagkakaisa.” But one focal point around the entire planet will be the minute of silence at 12 noon, on September 21, 2011, as requested by UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon.

As we mark International Day of Peace this year, may we be reminded that we can never truly contribute in the pursuit of peace for our country and the world, unless there is peace within us. Let peace, therefore, begin in each one of us and thereafter let us spread it to wherever life’s journey brings us, because “fortunate are those who work for peace, they shall be called children of God” (Matthew 5:9). MABUHAY!

Youth claim right to peace on International Peace Day

By VERA Files | The Inbox – Mon, Sep 26, 2011

 

 

 

 

A peace mosaic wall with designs from 100 different youth organizations and communities nationwide was unveiled …

Artha Kira Paredes, VERA Files

Photos by Mario Ignacio

 

 

 

 

 

Salma Matias, 19, a member of the Muslim-Christian Youth for Peace and Unity, longs forpeace in the island province of Basilan in southern Philippines where she was born. There she had lost many relatives to rido (clan feud).

She was one of some 400 representatives, most of them youth, who gathered at the Quezon Memorial Circle on Sept. 21 to celebrate the International Day of Peace.

Matias, who left her hometown 11 years ago, said she attended the event not only because her group was participating but because she wanted to "unite with people advocating for peace."

As an individual, she said she believes that "peace starts with me first, then at home in the family, then in the community."

Edmark del Mundo, 18, spokesperson of the Muslim and Christian Youth for Peace and Development (MCYPD) said their group also supported the event because they share the same advocacy.

He also stressed that "people should not fight because of difference in religious beliefs."

Del Mundo said their organization, which is composed of some 50 Catholic, Protestant, Muslim and Iglesia ni Cristo members, is proof that people with different beliefs can respect one another.

Chanting prayers for peace in different languages and different beliefs opened theInternational …

Prayers for peace in different languages and different beliefs offered by Hindu, Buddhist, Catholic, Muslim, Shume and Brahma Kumaris spiritual leaders opened the Peace Day  celebration.

MCYPD president Crispin Lungkuran, 23, said part of their peace advocacy is also promoting a clean-and-green, drug-free community in Sinag Tala, Project 8, Quezon City.

In Cebu, Nueva Vizcaya, Iloilo, Surigao del Norte, Agusan del Norte and Agusan del Sur, hundreds of youth also participated in forums, contests and signature campaigns in the events initiated by youth network Generation Peace (GenPeace).

In 1981, the United Nations declared Sept. 21 as International Day of Peace. This year marks its 30^th year with the UN theme "Peace and Democracy: make your voice heard."

GenPeace led the Peace Day events here with the theme "Kapayapaan, ating karapatan"(Peace is our right).

Their simultaneous celebrations aim "to raise awareness of the public on the International Dayof Peace as a global day of ceasefire and non-violence," according to secretariat head Nikki Delfin.

He added that the peace celebrations are also intended to enlist public support for the peaceprocesses between the government and insurgent groups --- Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), and the New People's Army- National Democratic Front (NDF).

Delfin added that the youth network, which was formed in 2006, has been spearheading "creative and collaborative ways of celebrating Peace Day together with different sectors" since 2009.

A peace mosaic wall with designs from 100 different youth organizations and communities nationwide was unveiled on GenPeace's first year of Peace Day celebration. Last year, it launched an anthology of poetry and prose on peace from youth contributors.

Noel Bonanciar, a member of the Quezon City Federation of PWD (people with disabilities) who also attended the event, said he wanted to be part of an activity which was celebrated by different countries and promoted by the UN.

Bonanciar, 30, said he wanted to observe so that he can pick up ideas for activities for the youth in Bagong Silangan where he currently resides.  

President Benigno Aquino III, in a message sent to GenPeace, said the government "pledges solidarity" to the cause of the global day of ceasefire and nonviolence "in accordance with the conviction that the Filipino people's progress is founded on an environment of peace and stability."

In one of his two messages to GenPeace, MILF Peace Panel Chairman Mohagher Iqbal said that "peace, the everlasting and real one" is the "best gift we can pass on to the generation after us."

A Sept. 20 press statement of the Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace Process (OPAPP) said the Philippine government declared a "one-day unilateral truce" with the CPP-NPA which entailed a suspension of military operations for the entire day by the Armed Forcesof the Philippines.

The statement also said that ceasefire with the MILF "is still holding as the government affirms its commitment to abide by the Agreement on the General Cessation of Hostilities signed by both parties in 1997."

Peace day coincides with the anniversary of the declaration of Martial Law in the Philippines.

(VERA Files is put out by veteran journalists taking a deeper look at current issues. Vera is Latin for "true.")