In celebration of the 20th National Peace Consciousness Month, the University, through the School of Criminal Justice Education and Liberal Arts in partnership with the Philippine National Police, conducted a forum on peace and security for its 381 fourth-year students today, September 19, 2024, at the University Auditorium.
Anchored to SDGs 4, 5, 16, and 17, and the peace month’s theme, “Transforming Minds, Transforming Lives,” the forum aimed to empower the students’ voices for a safer community. Further, as the participants are at their pivotal stage in their academic journey and are poised to become active citizens, the topics discussed such as crime prevention strategies, concepts of autonomy and federalism, and recruitment and selection processes in the PNP, armed them with the knowledge and skills to contribute to a more peaceful and just society.
University President Dr. Edgar G. Cue, represented by the newly-installed VP for Academic Affairs Dr. Geraldine L. Madjaco, challenged the participants—the youth and the future leaders of tomorrow—to understand, be involved, and participate in critical concerns on peace, security, and good governance in the community and the country in general.
The resource speakers for the said event were PSSG. Michael P. Apioten of RSSU-CAR, Mr. Gary Pekas of NEDA-SPCAR’s Autonomy Speakers Bureau, PSSG. Edyzon A. Mariano, Chief PCAD of Police Community Relations and Development Unit, and PCPL. Maricel Moling from the Women and Children’s Protection Desk, Bontoc Municipal Police Station. Further, Ms. Dixty L. Caranto, the Director for Gender and Development, also presented gender-responsive pathways to peace.
Winners of the slogan and poster-making contests were awarded at the end of the forum.
