Marites Africa

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In 1998, I was inspired by the URI vision of a better world where people of diverse cultures and beliefs could come together to a common ground to engage in various forms of dialogue in the spirit of mutual respect, understanding and cooperation. In 2000, my interfaith friends and I established The Peacemakers' Circle Foundation, Inc. in Metro Manila and engaged in the endeavor of building respectful relationships among peoples of diverse cultures and beliefs through various forms of dialogue. We were one of the many founding CCs of the URI during its Charter signing in June 2000. In 2003, our Peacemakers' Circle CC began to reach out to grassroots communities in Metro Manila where Muslims and Christians lived together as neighbors. Today, our peace- and relationship-building work has deepened and expanded to include training Muslim, Christian and indigenous leaders from the conflict-affected communities of the war-torn southern Philippine region of Mindanao.

URI Stories of Impact

The way of peace

Southeast Asia and the Pacific
Peacebuilding and Conflict Transformation

I’ve heard veteran peace activists speak of peacebuilding as a “marathon endeavor” that required conviction, perseverance, and a marathon mentality. Indeed, that is true. But, after having engaged myself in the journey for almost twelve years, I have learned that there are other things about peacebuilding as well that, from another perspective, would likewise be true.

Being Change

Southeast Asia and the Pacific
Community Building

It is a pleasure and privilege to share insights and reflections with you on the lessons learned from my endeavors at building relationships of mutual respect, understanding and cooperation between and among peoples of diverse cultures and beliefs in my part of the world. One of the most powerful moving force for me in the endeavor is the vision of a better world that the URI--with its global community of people of diverse religions, spiritual expressions, and indigenous traditions--has ingited in me.  In striving to "be the change that I wish to see", I have gained lessons learned that I wish to humbly share here with you.