The news "Oasis of Dialogue and Peace" is promoted by Silsilah Dialogue Movement, published every week in a local newspaper in Zamboanga City and envoys through the net to share our experiences in Dialogue and Peace!
4th Week - September 28, 2011
34 Youth Leaders Learn About Dialogical Approach in Sustainable Agricultural for Harmony and Peace
Some 34 youth leaders from Baluno and La Paz as well as students of the College of Social Work and Community Development (CSWCD) from Western Mindanao State University attended a seminar on “Dialogical Approach on Sustainable Agriculture for Harmony and Peace” on September 16-18, 2011 at the Escuela del Siembradores, Sitio Calingac, Baluno, Zamboanga City.
The activity was organized for the youth in cluster areas like Baluno and La Paz. who are expected to become youth farming leaders in their own farming communities which, it is hoped, will be in harmony with nature. WMSU students who participated in the activity are also expected to do a practicum in partnership with the community-based youth in coordination with Silsilah Bayanihan del Siembradores (SBS) cluster leaders. This collaboration aims to promote community development with an understanding of the importance of learning and appreciating the value and benefits of sustainable agriculture which promotes ecological harmony.
During the 3 day seminar-workshop, the participants were given an orientation on the existence and role of the Silsilah Dialogue Movement and its different programs that promote sustainable peace. One of these programs is the Dialogue with Creation Program which has brought about the formation of the Silsilah Bayanihan del Siembradores. They were also taught the Culture of Dialogue as Path to Peace and the advocacy for protecting the Ayala Watershed which Silsilah Dialogue Movement initiated and continues to support strongly.
The participants also received training in different farm works like vermi compost making, biodynamic compost making, liquid manure fermentation, and organic natural farming. A concept taught to the trainees was “sloping agriculture land technology” or SALT, an important concept when one considers that much farming is done not on flat land but on hillsides. The concept was taught along with harmony planning and layout designing. There were also demonstrations on preparation of herbal organic concentrates for use as medicines of imple ailments.
These activities/sessions were planned to provide the participants with skills in sustainable agriculture which they will apply in their own respective farming community.
The 3 day workshop also included nightly activities such as film viewing and a solidarity night which enabled the participants to share among themselves their realizations from the training and their reflections on the experiences of fellowship among themselves.
The seminar workshop was conducted by the Dialogue of Creation, a program of Silsilah Dialogue Movement that focuses on activities dealing on the role of people in protecting and valuing the environment. The group was led by Josephine E. Cagurangan, the program coordinator.