USM Welcomes Adiong MSC President, Staff for Benchmarking Activity
January 22, 2026
Educators, peace advocates, and students from various institutions gathered at the University of Southern Mindanao (USM) for the 2026 Seminar-Workshop on Teaching Peace Education held on January 21–22, 2026, at the USM Auditorium, Kabacan, Cotabato.
Guided by the theme “Together as One in Teaching Peace Education,” the activity aimed to emphasize the shared responsibility of institutions and educators in promoting peace.
Dr. Samsudin Panday, Vice President for Resource Generation and Entrepreneurial Services (VPRGES), noted in his speech that teaching peace education is an invitation to nurture empathy, encourage open dialogue, and transform conflict into meaningful learning. The VPRGES reminded participants that peace education begins with small yet consistent actions that is seen beyond the classroom.
Dr. Panday further described USM as a venue that actively promotes tolerance that creates an environment that supports peaceful coexistence. He expressed gratitude to the speakers, organizers, and participants for their initiative in conducting and attending the seminar-workshop.
Fr. Noel Ponsaran, President of the Philippine Society for Peace and Development, highlighted in his message the growing urgency of peace education amid conflicts, misunderstandings, and divisions in society. He stressed that teaching peace requires personal commitment, strong conviction, and faith. He encouraged the participants to view the seminar not merely as an academic activity. but as a call to action within their respective institutions and communities.
Dr. Sema G. Dilna, Cotabato State University President, supported the activity. His message, read by Dr. Jose Arnold Alvarez, representative from CotSU, underscored the importance of peace education in enabling learners and communities to address conflict through dialogue, understanding, and fairness, while critically examining social conditions that contribute to unrest.
Dr. Toh Swee-Hin, recipient of the UNESCO Prize for Peace Education, delivered the session on “Peace Education for the Healing of a Fractured World.” His lecture explored the various forms of violence and injustice affecting societies today, including war, poverty, discrimination, environmental destruction, and the loss of inner peace. He narrated that peace goes beyond the absence of war, encompassing justice, compassion, respect for diversity, environmental care, and active citizenship.
Other key sessions included “Critical Pedagogical Principles of Peace Education” by Dr. Virginia Cawagas; “Challenges and Hopes in Promoting Peace Education”; and “Pedagogy on Assessment and Evaluation” by Dr. Jovar G. Pantao. These lectures were complemented by workshops that introduced participants to teaching strategies, learning activities, and assessment tools relevant to peace education.
Organized by the USM Department of Social Science and Philosophy (DSSP), with the support of the Philippine Society for Peace and Development (PSPD) and the USM Faculty Association, the activity provided eight (8) Continuing Professional Development (CPD) units to the participants.
