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Prayers for Healing inJapanOn March 28, 2011 (Monday) The Peacemakers' Circle par-ticipated in an interfaith prayer service at the front of the Ja-pan Embassy in the Philippines, for the healing of Japan andthe rest of the ailing nations in the world.

The event was spearheaded by the Association of Major Reli-gious Superiors of the Philippines (AMRSP) in cooperation

with partner organizations such as the College of St. BenildeSocial Action Center.

A special participation to note was the presence of youth rep-resentatives from the Muslim-Christian Youths for Peace andDevelopment (MCYPD) of Tala, Caloocan who brought withthem and offered the origami

lotuses their young community previously made out of collected prayers for Japan which they have folded into thepaper flowers used in the ceremony.

The occasion was also graced by the presence of leadersfrom different religions who offered prayers from their faithtraditions, namely: Dr. Shakuntala Vaswani (Hindu), Ven.

Vincent Taguinod (Buddhist), Baba Surinder Singh (Sikh), Mr. Alan Berguia (Muslim), Mrs. Martha Taylor (Baha'i' Faith),Mrs. Tomomi Shima (Shinji Shumei Kai), and the religioussisters from the different Catholic congregations.

Live musical accompaniment was provided by cultural artists peace advocates. The ceremony was capped-off by candle-

lighting.

Crowd solemn in prayer

Origami lotuses bearing the prayers of Muslim-Christianyouths on a sacred Mandala

The CooperationCIRCLE

A United Religions Initiative in South East Asia and the Pacific January April 2011

Whats inside: World Interfaith Harmony Week

Womens Month celebration Bali Spirit Festival 2011

April 5: Golden Rule Day New CC: WIN Australia

More Updates from Australia : Cultural Infusion, InterAction,Dya Singh World Music Group

More News from the Philippines : Higa-onon Ha Migsabuwa Ta Lanao,Inc., Pakigdait Mindanao, Inc., Peacemakers Circle Foundation Inc.,

T.U.L.A.Y., G.R.O.W.T.H. Prayers for Healing in Japan

World Interfaith Harmony week*Philippines

For the first celebration of the World Interfaith Harmony Week (February 1-7),

The Peacemakers' Circle, in cooperation with United Religions Initiative in South-east Asia-Pacific (URI-SEAP) and in partnership with the United Muslim-ChristianPeacemakers Association (UMCPA) of Tala and the Muslim-Christian Youths forPeace and Development (MCYPD) held an Interfaith Harana (Friendship Sere-nade/visit to Faith Centers: Bahai Center, Buddhist temples, Sikh temple) on Feb-ruary 5, 2011 (Saturday).

*Malaysia

In celebration of the World Interfaith Harmony Week, MIN and INSAF co-sponsored an Interfaith Open House on February 19, 2011 to promote interfaithawareness and harmony amongst the citizens. Dr. Amir Isahak delivered the Key-note Speech.

Womens Month Celebration *Women Interfaith Network Foundation

On March 9, 2011 , WIN Foundation with The Sikh Welfare Council of Victoria or-ganized a gathering to celebrate the International Womens Day. The 2 1/2 hoursgathering had for its program a forum discussion on the role of women within theirfaith as led by a panel of Sikh women, and also prayers and singing of hymns. A vegetarian meal was served for all after the program.

*Peacemakers Circle Foundation, Inc. The International Women's Day this year was

celebrated not just by women but also by men andyouths from different faiths at the open evening ses-sion of the Tuesday Inner Work Circle which featuredan Interfaith Women's Dialogue Circle held on March8, 2011 at The Peacemakers' Circle.

With the theme:"The Role of Women in my Faith,"insightful sharings from different spiritual traditionswere heard. Among those who shared were: Sr. Ma.

Arnold Noel, SSPS for Christianity; Sis. Rose Uy andSis. Eda Valt from the Brahma Kumaris; Ms. Raquel Castillo from the Baha'i' Faith;Dr. Shakun Vaswani from Hinduism; Ms. Tomomi Shima from Shumei. Ms. Marwan

Pialda and Alan Berguia (Muslim youths from Culiat);Mr. Sangkyu Lee (Jeung San Do); and Mr. ReimonCosare (Tibetan) also shared from their faith tradi-tions. Some also shared reflections on gender har-mony and egalitarian spirituality.

It was an enlightening and heart-warming evening of dialogue, solidarity, bonding, and gender harmonythat was capped off by sharing of vegetarian snacks

and lively conversations.

Indonesia:*BaliSpirit Festival 2011

An extraordinary celebration of global cultural fusion. The truemagic of the Bali Spirit Festival is the seamless melding of cul-

tures and genres, there is no sense of us and them, just a senseof unity. -Insight Bali Magazine

Love and Friendship Prayer for Japan

Ashram Gandhi Puri promotes peace through Sacred Arts

April 5: Golden Rule Day

*Posters courtesy of Malaysian Interfaith Network (MIN)

Imagine one day when people from all backgrounds came togetherto do something simply amazing. The Golden Rule is simple enough- treat others as you would wish to be treated; things like kindness,

compassion & respect. Yet how amazing if we did this every day.That is what the Golden Rule Day is all about. A chance for peopleof all backgrounds and beliefs to come together around the shared

value of the Golden Rule.

*InterAction Australia

Welcome new CC!*WIN Foundation Australia

The Women's Interfaith Network Foundation is a committee for women of different faiths and cultural backgrounds who come together and share their beliefs and traditions. This allows a creation of understanding and

learning between different faiths and cultures.

Aims and Objectives:

To provide an opportunity for women of different faiths and ethical backgrounds andwho are of culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds to come together to share

from their traditions.

To address issues and concerns faced by women of different faiths and ethical back-grounds and of culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds living in Australia.

To mutually encour- age women of cultur-ally and linguistically diverse back-grounds to enrich and enhance their con-tribution to Australian society from their indi-vidual faiths, ethics and values.

To encourage city/ country, rural/regionalconnections and sup- port across Victoriaamong women from different faiths andethical backgrounds and from culturally andlinguistically diverse backgrounds.

To support Victorian children of culturallyand linguistically di- verse backgrounds,irrespective of their faith and ethical back-grounds, and aid and assist them in their ho-

listic development.

To act as a bridge between peoples and organisations and facilitate and promote thediverse contribution that culturally and linguistically diverse communities as well as thedifferent faith and ethical traditions bring to mainstream culture in Victoria.

More Updates from Australia*Cultural Infusion

The Fairfield Amphitheatre Summer Concert Series is a Yarra City Council initiative that aims to create a more in- clusive, tolerant and involved community. Since 2000, the Summer Concert Series has generated a sense of place where the contributions made to Melbourne life by cultur- ally diverse communities are celebrated and supported. The concerts are free to people of all-ages and are held within

the natural beauty of the Fairfield Amphitheatre on every Sunday throughout February. Cultural Infusion, a na- tional not-for-profit arts and cultural organisation, has been chosen by Yarra Council to produce this much-loved, annual concert series.

Current Projects:

InterACT Arts Project (2009 2012)

The InterACT Arts Project is a three year arts project funded by VicHealth as partof the Arts About Us initiative that partners professional artists from different cul-tural backgrounds with community groups in outer metropolitan, regional and ruralareas to develop a music, dance, theatre and multimedia production that promotesdiversity to mainstream audiences. The project, conducted in partnership with localgovernments in Wellington, Casey, Hume, Brimbank and East Gippsland providesopportunities to promote dialogue and cultural diversity at high-profile events suchas the Australia Day Concert at Federation Square and at community and schoolevents.

*InterAction Multifaith Youth NetworkThe iAct youth fellowship will bring to-gether young leaders from diversebackgrounds to work for social change.The fellows will gain knowledge andskills for making a difference in ourmulticultural & multifaith soci-ety. Through peer-to-peer mentoringand targeted training in leadership &

communication, each participant will beequipped with what they need to leadtheir communities towards greater mul-tifaith co-operation. Acting on sharedvalues the fellows will devise grass-roots social action projects that involvevarious religious communities, as wellas the secular mainstream. The fellow-ship will provide ongoing support toparticipants over an extended period torun these community service projects

themselves. The young people targetedby our fellowship will already have ac-cess to extensive networks within theirown communities. By tapping intothe existing social networks and com-munity capital this fellowship cre-ates bridges between diverse groups,with a focus on common action. In thisway we aim to foster genuine multifaithco-operation; with young people takingthe lead.

*Dya Singh World Music Group

CULTURAL INFUSION INCURSION FEB. 2011

Student leadership and engage-ment program and global citizen-ship understanding by CulturalInfusion. Artists/cultural educa-tors Jamel Kaur Dhillon, DyaSingh, Djammin and Gene Blow.

Teacher Professional Develop-ment Program run by Cultural In-fusion artists, cultural educators,Dya Singh, Gene Blow, DjarrinBlow and Jamel Kaur Dhillon inTownsville, Feb 2011.

More News from the Philippines *Higa-onon Ha Migsabuwa Ta Lanao, Inc.

CHURCH AND MOSQUE VISITATIONS

On February 18, 2011 Batches 1, 2,3,4,5 and 8 interfaith youth groups fromRogongon, Panuroganan and Kalilangan have conducted Church and Mosque visi-tations to promote understanding among Higa-onons, Muslims and Christians andtheir beliefs/practices, also to promote unity among themselves and to eliminatebiases and prejudices.

*Pakigdait Mindanao, Inc.INTERFAITH RELFECTIVE DIALOGUE ON RH BILL

Active in various peace-building efforts in theirregion, Pakigdait Mindanao, Inc. through a col-

laborative effort with the Interfaith Council andCAPOD, organized the Interfaith Dialogue onMarch 29, 2011, a venue which allowed for anintelligent sharing on a hot issue: ReproductiveHealth Bill, among participants representing civilsociety organizations, media and interfaithgroups.

COMMUNITY BASED PEACEBUILDING AND DEVELOPMENTAL PLANNINGProject Assessment and Orientation for the pilot

barangays of the municipality of Kauswagan forthe implementation of integrated and sustainabledevelopment projects.

A joint activity by the Assisi Developmental Foun-dation, LGU of Kauswagan LDN and Pakigdait Inc.

PAKIGDAIT INC. LEADS A STUDY TOUR ON PEACE AND DEVELOP-MENT

The 4th National Volunteer Summit with thetheme The Role of Volunteers in Building Au-thentic Peace and Human Development held atCagayan de Oro last April 8-10, 2011 was yetanother enriching experience for peace workersand volunteers alike. The event provided anopportunity for volunteers and volunteer man-agers from organizations to interact with eachother and learn various best practices in peaceand development efforts. The study tour toInudaran, Kauswagan, Lanao del Norte was es-pecially remarkable. It opened an awarenessand a better understanding of the journey to-wards authentic peace and development.

To learn more about Pakigdait Mindanao, search Pakigdait Peacework on Facebook

Pakigdait Inc and other participants of the 4th National Volunteers Summit held in Cagayan de Oro in April 2011

The participants after a fruitful and peaceful sharing of standpoints

*Peacemakers Circle Foundation, Inc. LIGHTS FOR PEACE: CHILDRENS VOICES THROUGH ART

After decades of conflict, long awaited Peace Talks are set to resume betweenthe Government of the Philippines and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (alsowith the National Democratic Front and the Moro National Liberation Front).

Four hundred children from diverse faith backgrounds gathered with artists, ritualleaders and indigenous musicians to channel the power of art and ritual forpeace building. On February 7th, 2011 the children were invited to craft terra-cotta candle and flower holders inspired by the Tri-People culture of Mindanao.

The next day the children were joined by the President of the Philippines, leadersof the military, universities, police, government agencies, and NGOs for a rituallighting of a peace mandala of candles featuring their clay creations. It was thecall of the children to end armed conflict in their generation. It was a celebrationof the end of the cycle of war, misunderstanding, and separation. It was a re-minder of our interconnection across lines and generations. United, one light at atime, peace will shine.

*The project was made possible by United Muslim-Christian Peacemakers' Asso- ciation of Tala, Peacemakers' Circle Foundation, 1Mandala, GINHAWA, and

SangHabi.

ROBN PADILLA SPECIAL FILMSCREENING FOR THE PEACEMAK-ERS CIRCLE

On March 24, 2011 The Peacemak-ers' Circle interfaith community washonored to have been invited to aspecial screening of TUM: MY PLEDGE OF LOVE latest film di-rected and produced by the Filipinoaction star, Mr. Robin Abdul AzizPadilla, together with his new wife,Ms. Mariel Rodriguez-Padilla. Knownto be the first Filipino film shot al-most entirely in India, TUM speaksof the message that resonates well

with the advocacy of The Peace-makers' Circle about peace, inter-faith harmony and unity amidst di-versity. Before the viewing the cou-ple autographed a framed poster of the film and awarded it to ThePeacemakers' Circle which was re-ceived by its founder/executive di-rector, Ms. Marites Africa, who --on

behalf of the officers and members,including the grassroots youths andleaders from the various communi-ties present in the event-- thankedMr. & Mrs. Padilla for the relevantwork they have put into the film andfor recognizing the organization.

TUM stars Robin Padilla and Mariel Rodri-guez with the Muslim-Christian youth and

PCFI staff

Actors with The Peacemakers Circle Foun-dation Executive Director and Board of Di-rectors ,and Muslim friends

CULMINATION OF THE BOWES AWARD YOUTH LEADERSHIP AND

THE MUSLIM-CHRISTIANS GRASSROOTS LEADERSHIP PROGRAMSOn April 2, 2011 (Saturday) The Peacemakers' Circle celebrated the culminationof the Bowes Award and the Muslim -Christian Grassroots Leadership Programsand honored 75 youths and 16 leaders from the four grassroots communities of Tala, Caloocan City; Culiat, Quezon City; Maharlika & Upper Bicutan, TaguigCity; and Quiapo, Manila.

In partnership with the Miriam College Center for Peace Education, and sup-ported by the United Religions Initiative-Southeast Asia-Pacific, and the Austra-

lian Embassy in Manila, the event was held at the ESI Conference Hall of Miriam College in Quezon City.

The 75 Muslim and Christian youths were partici-pants of a 10-session training program entitledStrengthening Interfaith Youth Leadership underthe URI Bowes Award project that was awardedto The Peacemakers' Circle. The young partici-pants came from two communities: 44 youthswere from Tala, Caloocan City; and 31 from Cu-

liat, Tandang Sora, Quezon City. The programstarted in October 2010 where each communityseparately under went twice-a-month sessions of the same content. Towards the end of the pro-

gram that two communities were merged.

During the culminating event each community showcased their talents in orderto present a synthesis of what they learned throughout the training. The audi-ence were awe-inspired and touched by the creative presentations these tal-ented youths painstakingly prepared for just a few weeks. They presenteddances, drama, and songs which were intertwined to convey their messages of peace, unity and understanding. One of the most moving presentation was thedoxology or dance interpretation of a prayer song that was performed by Mus-lim and Christian girls.

The event also highlighted the recognition of the 16 Muslim-Christian grass-roots leaders who have finished the training under the Strengthening Grass-roots Interfaith Dialogue and Understanding Program of the Australian Em-bassy. This 9-month program consisted of twice-a-month action-reflection ses-

sions with four Muslim-Christian leaderseach from the four communities mentioned.In gratitude for their support in the work of The Peacemakers' Circle a plaque of appre-ciation was also awarded to the AustralianEmbassy in Manila. Towards the end of theprogram the youths and elders took pledgeto continue striving to become peacemakersin their respective interfaith communities

and being the change they wish to see inthe world.

Australian Embassy representative re-ceives a plaque of appreciation from thePeacemakers Circle Foundation, Inc. for

project support

Muslim-Christian youth performsthe Doxology at the beginning of the Graduation program

Earth Day Celebration

*Sandiwang Interfaith FestivalOn April 24, 2011 (Easter Sunday in the Christian tradition) Earth Day was celebrated

with Sandiwang (isang Diwa ng Pagdiriwang para sa Kalikasan), an interfaith gather-ing led by the Earth Day Network-Philippines.

The whole day program started with interfaith prayersfrom over 20 different groups and civil society organiza-tions, including the Peacemakers Circle Foundation. Alloffered solidarity prayers from their faith tradition. Thiswas signaled by the ringing of the Peace Bell by the Qu-ezon City Mayor Herbert Bautista.

Among other faith groups present were: Baha'i' Faith;Brahma Kumaris World Spiritual University; BrazilianCatholic Order; Day of Pentecost Church of Jesus Christ;

Diliman Bible Church; Golden Cross Curcillo; H-World United Nations Military PhilippineGovernment; IESU; House of Inter-Faith; Iglesia Ni Kristo; International Society forKrishna Consciousness (ISKCON/Hare Krishna); Multi-Tribal Movement in the Philip-pines, Inc. (Muslim); Persons with Disabilities Federa-tion, Inc; Philippine Dao De Gong, Inc.; Samahang

Bagong Babaylan; Shinji Shumei Kai; PamayanangSaniblakas; Victorious Chosen People Ministry, Inc.;United Religions Initiative SEAP.

There were booths set up by the various participatingorganizations. Tree seedlings were given away, dis-counted eco-products and wellness services well dem-onstrated and offered while performances were stagedthroughout the day.

The afternoon was concluded with community Earth dancing and vortex meditationwalk around the fountain at the Quezon Memorial Circle, Quezon City which served asthe venue for the day-long event.

Interfaith partakers gathering around the earth symbol in a sa-cred dance for the healing of

URI SEAP Regional Coordinator Shakuntala Vaswani lead a Hindu

Exotic Balinese dancers

*T.U.L.A.Y. As an exposure activity for the non-Catholic members of TULAY, members of thegroup agreed to do a pilgrimage to the Loboc Big Cross in observance of the holyweek. On April 20, 2011 the group walked 25 kms. from the town of Baclayon to thetop of Loboc Hill where the Big Cross was located. As soon as they reached the top,

the group shared questions and views for the purpose of understanding more deeplyCatholic beliefs and practices. On Thursday, they did their Visita Iglesia . Kristine Genita

*G.R.O.W.T.H.Early in January 2011, GROWTH CC organized a mass feeding and in February 2011 aLeadership Training and some wellness-oriented activities as yoga exercise, talk onvegetarianism, cooking demo, facial massage and shiatsu services.