On April, I will form part of a huge focused-group discussion on peace in Mindanao. On March 13-14, 2009, the team who will do this research in respective local areas have already gathered to discuss the 'technical' necessities of reviewing and revisiting and orienting researchers on the do's and don'ts in conducting FGDs. This is about Konsult Mindanaw Project.
The Project is very huge... and will answer querries on redefining peace--inter-personal and intra-personal in nature.... Individual 'options' and suggestions for peace in Mindanao will also be asked to the participants....
True (enough), the participants in the activity on March 13 and 14 were well-versed on research yet they also fail to recognize one thing....the essence of 'soon' to be research undertaking...
The Project is a Community Dialogue.... the results of the FGD is crucial to community relations... it may bring peace or even worsen the divide between the Christians, Muslims, and Lumads....
The challenge is for the project to have
a.) a research team that has fair judgement on the GrP-MILF relations;
b.) facilitators that understand well Mindanao History of Peace and Conflict and its dynamics;
c.) documenters that will not document personal views; and
d.) participants that are open and sincere to share stories of victories and frustrations.
This is beyond research. This is a community dialogue. This is a small contribution to peace process. This is about bringing peace to Mindanao. This is qualifying peace.