Young Muslims unite to craft peace, development action plan

DAVAO CITY , Philippines   — Young Mindanao leaders with a unique experience in the forefront of national policy formulation and lawmaking met here to draft their action agenda in support of peace and development in the region. 

Alumni of the Congressional Internship Program for Young Muslim Leaders (CIPYML), a partnership project of the Philippine House of Representatives and the US government, gathered for their first-ever reunion to focus on how they can play a more effective role in peace-building and economic growth in their communities.

This is the first reunion for the former interns, who come from different areas of Mindanao and from various Moro tribes. Although they regularly contribute to the CIPYML e-group, this was the first time that alumni from different batches had gathered together under one roof.

“This was a chance to see how we can converge our efforts,” said Marifah Agar, one of 163 young leaders who have “graduated” from the internship program over the last four years.

Agar, a data analyst, regularly volunteers as a peace education teacher at the barangay level, working with local religious leaders.

CIPYML is managed by USAID’s Growth with Equity in Mindanao (GEM) Program, which is implemented under the oversight of the Mindanao Economic Development Council.

Interns spend 13 weeks in Congress, during which they obtain “hands-on” experience in policy research and formulation. They are also given the opportunity to interact with members of the House of Representatives, Senate and other national government leaders.

The program includes immersion in specialized courses provided by Mindanao State University and the University of the Philippines’ National College of Public Administration and Governance.

Breakout sessions focused on Mindanao’s economic competitiveness, and on fostering enabling environments for business through private-public collaboration and improved governance. Other sessions identified ways of promoting peace, particularly through transparency and improved governance, and of developing the region’s workforce.

“Moro communities place value on higher education, but we have to help them understand that vocational training is an option, and that a vocational workforce is needed for the economy to grow,” said former intern Norhana Kamid, now a senior economic development specialist at MEDCo.

The main objective of CIPYML is to develop a core of informed young Muslim leaders who are committed to democratic forms of government and who support the development of effective, democratic processes and institutions. 

Using the knowledge and skills they acquired during their stint in Congress, some have run for public office, and others have pursued post-graduate studies. A good number have joined private sector and non-government organizations focused on helping to bring development to remote, conflict-affected areas in Mindanao.