Conversations of PEACE:
"Invest in Peace for Everyone, Everywhere, Everyday"
Bonifacio P. Sibayan Auditorium, Philippine Normal University (PNU)
Manila, Philippines
September 25, 2026
In celebration of the International Day of Peace on September 21, 2026, the Philippine Arab Cooperation Council, Inc. (PACCI) joined the peace celebration held on September 25, 2026, at the Bonifacio P. Sibayan Auditorium and the Philippine Normal University (PNU) Quadrangle.
The event was spearheaded by the Center for Transformative Education of the Faculty of Behavioral and Social Sciences (FBeSS-CTE), in collaboration with World BEYOND War (WBW) Asia and PEACE Philippines.
Representing PACCI, Ms. Mahadia Abu Dalal, a Filipino-Palestinian educator and peace advocate, shared her experiences and reflections on how the ongoing violence in Palestine has deeply affected her life and the lives of her people. Despite the continuing hardships, she remains committed to educating others about the realities in Palestine, reminding participants that the pursuit of peace must continue even in the face of adversity.
Following the dialogue, participants signed World BEYOND War’s Declaration of Peace, affirming their commitment to work toward the abolition of war and the establishment of a just and lasting peace.
Ms. Ma. Theresa J. Limpin, currently a consultant to PACCI, shared a moving reflection on kite-flying activities along the Thai-Myanmar border. She described how kites serve as messages of hope and proof of life, allowing refugees to see the kites soaring in the sky as a reminder that they are still alive and that brighter days may lie ahead. Her message underscored the enduring power of hope amid displacement, uncertainty, and hardship.
The celebration brought together students, faculty members, refugees, activists, and church workers. Representatives from various organizations participated, including WBW, PEACE Philippines, PACCI, the Student Catholic Action of the Philippines (SCAP), Youth for Nationalism and Democracy (YND), KILUSAN and Soka Gakkai Philippines.Together, they engaged in a dialogue on building a culture of peace in the Philippines and beyond, exploring how different sectors of society can strengthen their respective roles in promoting peace, justice, and solidarity.
A major highlight of the program was the reflection delivered by Dr. Swee-Hin Toh, a UNESCO Laureate for Peace Education, who shared insights from his decades of work in peace education, including his contributions in the Philippines. He is widely recognized for helping advance the field of peace education, particularly in its connections to social justice, human rights, intercultural understanding, and ecological sustainability.
The program culminated in a kite-flying activity at the PNU Quadrangle. As the kites rose into the sky, participants united in a collective call for world peace. Each kite symbolized hope, resilience, and a shared aspiration for a more peaceful and just world.
Through dialogue, reflection, and collective action, the celebration reaffirmed the importance of sustained efforts to build a culture of peace—one that transcends borders, embraces diversity, and inspires individuals and communities to work together toward a better future.
The activity reaffirms Ms. Mahadia Abu Dalal’s reflection that “Peace is not something we wait for after the violence ends. Peace is something we begin building now in the way we educate, the way we remember, the way we speak, the way we treat one another, and the way we refuse to accept another person’s suffering as normal.” Her words serve as a reminder that building a culture of peace requires sustained commitment, empathy, and collective action from individuals and communities everywhere.
