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Balay Mindanaw
assumes role as Action Asia Secretariat
4 December 2011
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Kaloy and
Emma during the handing-over ceremony. |
A simple handing-over
ceremony of the Action Asia Secretariat from the Centre for Peace
and Conflict Studies (CPCS) in Cambodia to the Balay Mindanaw
International Center for Peace in Mindanao was held on December 1,
2011 in Bangkok, Thailand.
Present during the ceremony
were Action Asia leaders and members, Emma Leslie, Kaloy Manlupig,
Tabrani Yunis and Baht Latumbo, Tania Miletic and Patricia deBoer of
the AFSC. The modest gathering was also witnessed by Peter Woodrow
(CDA), Gus Miclat (IID), Willy Torres (The Asia Foundation) and
Wiratmadinata from Aceh.
Before the symbolic hand
over, Emma Leslie shared the story of the evolution of Action Asia
and cited some unique characteristics of the network, like
maintaining its membership on individual basis and the emphasis on
nurturing relationships and mutual trust, aside from the sharing of
skills, knowledge, experiences and resources between and among
members. When the co-founders decided to establish Action Asia
network, Emma Leslie, who has been based in Cambodia, took the
responsibility of nurturing the network during its early years of
existence – building membership, keeping communication, setting up
programs and fund raising – under the umbrella of ACT (Alliance
for Conflict Transformation). Years later CPCS was established and
took responsibility of hosting the AA secretariat.
Patricia and Baht also joined
Emma in acknowledging the key role of Soth Plai Ngarm in the birth
and growth of Action Asia, especially in its evolution into a
learning network of learners.
Balay Mindanaw Chairperson
and President Kaloy Manlupig, in his response, gratefully accepted
the responsibility and thanked the leaders of Action Asia for
trusting Balay Mindanaw to carry on the task of the Secretariat. He
expressed his view that this Secretariat movement is not a “take-over”
but an expansion of Action Asia’s ever-growing resources as one of
the best and most dynamic peacebuilders’ networks in the world. He
further said, “on behalf of Balay Mindanaw, we humbly accept the
torch that you have so kindly offered to us, knowing that we will
also pass this on to another worthy partner somewhere in Asia
someday. We will give our best to be its worthy steward.”
The new address of the Action
Asia Secretariat is Door 1, International Center for Peace in
Mindanaw, Balay Mindanaw, 53A, 12th Street, Zone 2, Upper Bulua,
Cagayan de Oro City, Mindanao, Philippines.
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