PeaceTech 3: Women in Conflict and Peace Building

Two mothers. One widowed by a NPA land mine. The other by AFP soldiers. Both struggling to raise a family. Both struggling with their loss. But now, both talking with one another over hundreds of miles on giant screens.

They are two examples of the women who will unite on screen in front of hundreds of youths: a former NPA fighter who surrendered for her six children; the wife of an MILF commander who hid with her family for one year; and two women peace builders.

“PeaceTech 3: Women in Conflict and Peace Building ” focuses on how armed conflict affects women and the family unit. It then analyzes how women can increase their role in peace making.
This episode is expected to attract even greater numbers of youth as momentum builds for this regional talk show being launched in the Philippines .

A partnership between UNICEF, the Australian Agency for International Development, the Canada Fund for Local Initiatives, the Assisi Development Foundation, the Philippine Long Distance Telephone Company, Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process and the Center for Peace Education of Miriam College is running the series.

This time Peace Tech will air between Quezon City and Cotobato City . The audiences will represent many mothers, youth and children including: former NPA; MILF; and AFP soldiers; children from conflict zones; Muslims, Indigenous Peoples, Christians; out-of-school youth; and students from many schools and universities. Provinces represented include: Zamboanga del Sur; Maguindanao; Sultan Kudarat; N.Cotobato; Lanao del Norte; Lanao del Sur; Davao ; Agusan del Sur, Negros Occidental; Camarines Sur; Quezon; Cavite-Laguna; Nueva Ecija; Benguet; Mountain Province ; and Isabela

GMA 7’s Kara David will emcee PeaceTech 3 from Quezon City . Journalist Samira Gutoc will emcee from Cotobato City .

The 7-part PeaceTech series is leveraging videoconferencing technology to build solidarity and catalyze change through dialogues on a mass scale. Lessons from the talk shows are sustained through regular on-line chats and through community projects.

Cable technology is donated by the Philippine Long Distance Company.

UP Diliman and Notre Dame University are hosting the event.