MULTICULTURAL YOUTH CAMP “CELEBRATING HARMONY AMIDST DIVERSITIES”Sponsored by: Integrated Resource Development for Tri-People (IRDT) Peace Connect project

February 6-7, 2018.

Different people have different views of things, likes or dislikes, agreements or disagreements. Multicultural communities is a controversial issue in the world especially in Mindanao. In multicultural diversities, communication and barriers to effective communication works alongside one another. Barriers of effective communication can be simple or complex from time to time. Sometimes, the differences in beliefs, faiths, and language may lead society, especially the youths, to misunderstandings and conflicts. However, the celebration of World Interfaith Harmony Week 2018 in Zamboanga City with the theme: Celebrating the Transforming powers of the Love of God and the Love of Neighbor for the Common Good” give the Integrated Resource Development for Tri-People (IRDT) the opportunity to conduct a significant initiative for the young generation to be in harmony with other cultures and religions in the 2 days Camp at Harmony Village, Pitogo, Sinunuc, Zamboanga City.

United with nature, the campers of this event held their activity at the camp site located at Harmony Village. The name of the place itself gives us many definitions – in harmony with God, nature, the self and neighbors. It is a seamless place to hold the significant activity as the camp’s goal is to “Celebrate Harmony amidst Diversities”.

The Camp started with the usual prayer and orientation of getting-to-know-you activity. A great impact of sharing was felt as the group made their plan of action on what they could do to share the good message of a Multicultural camp to their community. At the end of the activity, the participants then advocated the sense of living in harmony amidst diversities and the love for the common good

They shared and presented personal experiences, learned lessons of life, and valued the significance of being different. The camp provided the youth with the platform to conduct their personal reflections on cultures other than their own. This activity created an avenue for the young people of different cultures and religions to come together and appreciate the richness of

diversities.

Celebrating World Interfaith Harmony Week 2018 was very significant because we could reach people’s hearts with many initiatives. Understanding multicultural diversity brought together a melting pot of different cultures, beliefs, and religions that turned the activity into somewhat of a little mixed family. As young as they are, they must embrace the reality of multicultural diversities and to accept that living in harmony amidst diversities is possible as long as we have respect, harmony and we have God as the center of our lives.