Children as advocates during Peace Month

MANILA, Philippines - Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Teresita Deles has asked children to become peace advocates as the nation celebrates National Peace Consciousness Month this month.

Deles said age, religion or status is never a deterrent to becoming an agent of social change.

Around 200 Muslim and Christian children from poor areas in Metro Manila participated in the football clinic dubbed “1 Goal for Peace” held at the Emperador Stadium, McKinley Hill in Taguig City recently.

Deles said there are many ways to become a peace advocate.

“First, by becoming a good kid. If you are a good kid, you are respectful, you don’t do harm, you are giving to your playmates, and helpful to those in need. If you have good relationship with God, with your parents, siblings, teachers, playmates, and classmates, you can be an instrument of peace,” she told the children.

“You, who will become leaders of the country in the future, are the hope, inspiration, and reason why we believe and persevere to make peace possible because you will inherit this someday,” she added.

This year’s peace month celebration centers on the theme, “Lahat ay peace-sible!”

Singer-actor Elmo Magalona led the children in forming a human peace sign.

This was followed by the releasing of balloons and reciting of the peace pledge, which signaled the opening of National Peace Consciousness Month.

Also present at the event were government chief negotiator Miriam Coronel-Ferrer, Turkish Ambassador Hatice Pinar Isik, Charge d’Affaires Lumobir Frebort of the European Union Delegation, representatives from the Moro Islamic Liberation Front led by panel member Abdullah Camlian, partners from the Lina Group of Companies, and members of the Armed Forces of the Philippines and Philippine National Police.

The event was organized by the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process in coordination with the Philippine Football Federation, Urban Poor Associates, Air 21 and Oishi.

The football clinic was led by the coaches and players of Azkals and Teen Azkals.