Module 1: Peace Through Our Own Tongues and Eyes

Peace-TAYO is going to provide various modules designed for different peacebuilding and implemented in its activities. Here is our first module. This can be used in National Service Training Program (NSTP) session. Watch out for more. Use it, own it. Peace-TAYO!

(Note: This module was first implemented in the Peace Through Technology Training Workshop for Peace Ambassadors (Bughaw) of PeaceTech, a non-profit organization that builds peace among youth through technology. Peace-TAYO believes that by sharing this module, it will be more useful for others who can adopt, modify, and implement it in their own organizations.)

Activity: Sharing of the closest equivalent of "Peace" in one's language

Each culture has its own conceptualization of "peace." Peace is culturally-rooted in our society. It is not a foreign import or imposition. It exists in the ordinariness of people's daily lives. It is highly valued. Its existence and value are best expressed in people's own language and experiences. 

Objectives:

At the end of this activity, the participants must be able to:

·     Share the closest or direct equivalent of peace in one's own languages. Or share the representations or images of peace in one's own surrounding.

·   Learn and gain deeper understanding and profound appreciation of the various conceptualizations and representations of peace.

Material/s:

·         Drawing paper

·         Crayola

·         Masking tape

·     Music

Time Frame: One to three hours depending on the number of participants

Procedure:

1.    Allow the participants to express their conceptualization of peace through art. They can share the equivalent or expression of peace in their own language. They can also share their vivid images or representation of peace based on their experiences and observations. These images or representation can be embedded in the local stories, songs, poems, places, people, events, etc.. Play a music while the participants are doing the activity.

   2. Group sharing: Allow each participant to share in 2-3 minutes. 

   3. After the group sharing, synthesize the activity by discussing the following points:

     All of us have our own idea of peace, which emanates from our language, personal lives, relationships with family, peer groups, communities, and God.


These ideals guide us in our daily lives to strengthen our relationship with our family, peer group, community, and God.

4.    Discuss various views on “peace.” Highlight the richness and creativity of each culture expressed in language. Share your own language of and experience with "peace." 

Social Distance in Facebook: Breaking or Building Barriers in Cyberspace

Source: http://www.sgclub.com/lifestyle

Social networking sites have captured the interest and aspiration of people especially Filipinos and Filipinas to make contacts and connect with families, friends, and others. To illustrate this, imagine Facebook having over half a billion account users all over the world. Twenty-six million of those are found in the Philippines.  Thus, albeit virtually, numerous contacts are made by differentiated groups through Facebook.

Research has shown that contacts among equals of differentiated groups reduce social distance. With the popularity and wide use of Facebook in the world including the Philippines, do contacts occur among differentiated groups? Or Facebook further solidifies the ingroup and marginalizes the outgroup? Does Facebook break or build social distance among differentiated groups?

It is hypothesized that Facebook facilitates ingroup formation and strengthens its cohesion. Moreover, Facebook does not intentionally marginalize the outgroup.  It helps reduce social distance among groups especially those who have a sizeable number of friends from other groups.

If you have a Facebook account, please take the survey here.

The results of this survey will be presented at the 2011 Philippine Sociological Society National Conference in Ateneo de Naga University in Naga City on October 14-15, 2011.

Thank you very much.