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.