As part of the “Celebrate Canada 2006” event in Davao last February 2006, the Embassy
of Canada shared the Canadian’s commitment to support the efforts of local groups toward
peace-building, capacity-building/ strengthening, awareness-raising and advocacy, poverty
reduction and promotion of peace and development among and between people and communities
through a project visit, a book launching, a knowledge forum and the inauguration of
development projects.
Firing up the CIDA-led events on 8 February 2006 was Ambassador Peter Sutherland’s visit
to the Canada Fund-assisted project “Mainstreaming the Participation of the Badjao
Sea-Gypsies (in the Sustainable Development of their Community)” in Barangay 23-C,
Isla Verde on February 8, 2006.
The project was an integrated community development program that addressed the most
basic needs of the Badjao community with the vision that they become empowered.
It aimed to educate, capacitate and empower the Bajaos so that they are able to
participate fully in the development of their community through harmonious
co-existence with other groups of people in Davao City. The components of the
program were: Education, Health and Nutrition, Livelihood, and Environment
Restoration.
To mark the projects that CIDA has implemented with local IP communities,
a book published by the Philippines –Canada Cooperation Office (PCCO) in
titled “Touching Lives: CIDA’s Encounters with Indigenous Peoples in the
Philippines”, was launched. Sharing the similarity of having indigenous
peoples, this book highlights Canada’s advocacy to facilitate development
and cultural efforts so that the peoples can learn from one another and
ensure that mutual interests of peace and prosperity are achieved.
A Partners’ Knowledge Sharing Forum, opened by Mr. Tom Carroll, CIDA Head of Aid,
was held in the afternoon to provide a venue for the BUILD partners to share the
results and information generated from their projects. This gave them the opportunity
to get acquainted with each other’s projects, share emerging information, lessons
and insights, and at the same time identify possibilities for networking and
collaboration. Most of the project initiatives promote democratic institution
and practices, enhance civil society’s policy role and strengthen political
will of governments.
The day was concluded by the signing of the Memorandum of Agreement between
CIDA/Canadian Embassy and four (4) Non-Government Organizations namely:
Balay Alternative Legal Advocates for Development in Mindanaw, Inc.
(BALAOD Mindanaw), WOMEN Lead, Pilipina Legal Resource Center (PLRC) and
Tanggol Kalikasan who are implementing newly approved projects under BUILD.
Click
here to view more pictures taken during the event.
(Photos taken during Ambassador's visit to the CF-assisted project courtesy of Keith Bacongco)
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