West Visayas State University (WVSU) through the Center for Peace Education and the International and Local Linkages Office, recently hosted the Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation, and Unity’s (OPAPRU) Peace Education Tour on November 15, 2024, marking a pivotal moment for the university as it signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with OPAPRU to advance peace education. The event focused on fostering meaningful dialogue among students and faculty about the importance of peace, reconciliation, and national unity.

The OPAPRU Peace Education Tour is part of a nationwide initiative aimed at engaging universities in discussions about the role of education in conflict resolution and nation-building. The tour at WVSU featured open forums, interactive discussions, and cultural activities that encouraged students and faculty to explore the concepts of peace, unity, and role in the peace process.

WVSU Center for Peace Education Coordinator Dr. Rejie Palmos, emphasized that everyone’s involvement in peacebuilding efforts is essential for creating a sustainable and peaceful future for the country.

OPAPRU officials led by Executive Director Andres S. Aguinaldo, Jr., who represented Secretary Carlito Galvez, Jr., expressed the institution’s commitment to supporting the government’s peace efforts. “By bringing this tour to universities like WVSU, we hope to inspire a new generation to take up the mantle of peacebuilding and to see reconciliation not as a distant concept, but as a reality they can shape”, he said.

One of the highlights of the event was a panel discussion featuring KAPATIRAN members, who shared their personal stories of transformation from armed struggle to becoming advocates for reconciliation and development. They detailed the challenges of reintegration into their communities and how government support and peace education have empowered them to lead meaningful lives beyond conflict.

During the event, WVSU and OPAPRU formalized their partnership with the signing of the MOU, which sets the foundation for collaboration in advancing peace education across the university in instruction, research, and extension. Through partnerships with academic institutions like WVSU, OPAPRU seeks to instill a culture of peace in the younger generation, who are seen as the key drivers of positive change in society.

This collaboration between WVSU and OPAPRU represents a significant step in the journey toward a more peaceful Philippines, as it enables the university to provide its students with the tools, knowledge, and opportunities to play an active role in building a unified and peaceful nation.