Global Peace Festival Foundation
Philippines
4th iPEC focus on “Expanding the Culture of Heart for Peace and Unity Towards Economic Progress”
On its 4th year, the International Professors and Educators Conference (IPEC) forged ahead toward economic progress through expanding the “Culture of Heart” for peace and unity. An essential element in building the Culture of Heart is the integration of character-based and peace education in the Philippine educational system in order to enhance responsible citizenship and moral, innovative leadership. The conference was held on November 15-16, 2012 at the historic Manila Hotel, Philippines.
TOP: (Left to right) 4th IPEC chairperson Dr. Nona Ricafort delivers her keynote speech; Weekly magazine Philippine Panorama features 4th IPEC in their November 4 issue; and, GPFF Asia Pacific regional representative Mr. Jinsoo Kim at the opening of 4th IPEC. BOTTOM: Hundreds of educators, students and professionals attend the 3-day conference in Manila Hotel.
Dr. Michael Zablan, president of GPFF Philippines, welcomed hundreds of local and international delegates, and notable guests and speakers from different sectors. Among them were Architect Felino Palafox Jr., President of Management Association of the Philippines, who discussed on “Society’s Role in Establishing a Culture of Heart in Politics, Business, and Community;” and Dr. Ricardo E. Rotoras, President of Philippine Association of State Universities and Colleges, who cited “The Role of Higher Education in the Expansion of the Culture of Heart for Peace and Unity Towards Economic Progress.”
GPFF Philippines chairman and Asia Pacific regional representative Mr. Jinsoo Kim underlined the importance of moral and innovative leadership in his address. “It is now in the heart of global crisis where we need more leaders in all sectors,” he said, pointing out that “moral leadership must concern all humanity.”
Philippine urban planner and architect Felino Palafox Jr. (left) and Philippine Association of State Universities and Colleges president Dr. Ricardo Rotoras (right) cited the roles of society and higher education in the expansion of character education for economic progress at the Opening Plenary of 4th IPEC.
Educators, experts in the fields of politics, interfaith, business, and civic society, and students convened to discuss the value of character education and peace education as integral elements in the educational system and in addressing social issues on graft and corruption, peace-building, and strengthening of family and moral values leading to economic progress and nation-building.
“More than the skills and abilities on how to make a living, special effort should be made by higher education institutions to teach our citizens how to live as global citizens, in the broadest and most profound sense of the term, who are proud of their cultural legacy, peace-loving, responsible and free; a generation prepared to live under the rule of law, a generation guided by the tenets of truth, justice, freedom and peace,” Dr. Nona Ricafort, Commissioner on Commission of Higher Education and chairperson of 4th IPEC, stated in her keynote address.
Meanwhile, educators from different regions in the Philippines evaluate IPEC’s objectives. Dr. Rizalinda Salapuddin, Muslim educator from Sulu State College in Jolo, Sulu, Mindanao remarked that IPEC must be organized annually. She also referred the need to ‘pursue character-based education for an individual to keep abreast in its recent application (to the institutions).’ Schools, supervisors and implementers who are sustaining the GPFF Character-Based Education program in their institutions and regions were also recognized.
A special event held during IPEC was the launching of Global Peace Educators Council, Global Peace Women Council, Global Peace Asia Pacific Council, Global Peace House of Interfaith, and, Global Peace Youth Corps Advisory Council. Former speaker of the House of Representatives Hon. Jose De Venecia Jr. led the induction while lauding Dr. Hyun Jin Moon on his efforts in uniting all sectors to advance the vision of “one family under God.”
The 4th IPEC is organized by GPFF Philippines, Commission on Higher Education (CHED), Department of Education (DepEd), and Polytechnic University of the Philippines (PUP) – College of Education, College of Tourism and Hotel and Restaurant Management, and College of Science. In support are media partners: Presidential Communications Operations Office and Philippine Information Agency, Manila Bulletin, Business Mirror, DZEC Radio, DZXL Radio, DWAD Radio, PTV4 News, TV5 Broadcasting Network, and ABS-CBN News Channel.
Former Speaker Jose De Venecia led the launching of Global Peace Councils
Prior to the opening ceremony and plenary, a Character-Based Education Program and Service Learning workshop was organized for high school teachers to share best practices of various educational institutions in implementing character-based education at home, in the school, and in the society, as advocated by GPFF.
“We wish to recognize and commend Dr. Hyun Jin Moon for founding the Global Peace Festival Foundation and making it the core of transformation of families, communities and nations, which is the great demand of the time,” Dr. Ricafort added.