EU, UN Launch Project Sustaining Mindanao Peace Efforts

Franz Jensen (L) shakes hands with Titon Mitra.

Manila, Philippines, 21 Rajab 1437/29 April 2016 (MINA) – European Union Ambassador Franz Jessen and United Nations Development Program (UNDP) Philippines country director Titon Mitra have launched the “Support Peace-Bangsamoro Project” that would be implemented from 2016 to mid-2017.

In a statement Thursday, EU Ambassador Franz Jessen said the “Support Peace-Bangsamoro Project,” which will be implemented from 2016 to mid-2017, was aimed at “keeping the dialogue open” to “strengthen peace-building efforts even in the grassroots level.”

With a funding of 1.2 million euros or P63 million from the EU, UNDP will implement the Support Peace-Bangsamoro project that aims to support capacity-building for local leaders and other stakeholders on public administration and parliamentary processes.

The project is expected to strengthen the constituency for peace building in the Bangsamoro, including establishing partnerships with local government units and civil society organizations.

It also aims to develop platforms that will enable the youth and the women to actively engage in peace building, and support the Third Party Monitoring of the implementation of the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro.

The initiative will ensure participation of all stakeholders, especially women and children in local processes, decision-making and conflict mitigation for sustainable peace.

Mitra said the security situation in Mindanao’s conflict-stricken areas is volatile with the non-passage of a proposal that would have created the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region.(T/R07/R01)

Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA)