Notre Dame’s Peace Accords Matrix-Mindanao initiative has made significant strides in supporting the Philippines peace process, marking a critical year of policy impact.

The work, which builds upon Notre Dame’s ongoing efforts to support the Colombian peace process through the Peace Accords Matrix, extends Notre Dame’s policy impact to a post-conflict setting in Southeast Asia that can benefit from peacebuilding research insights.

Launched earlier this year, the Mindanao initiative continues to play a pivotal role in monitoring the Normalization Annex in the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro, a landmark peace agreement signed in 2014 between the Philippine government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front. The partnership has enabled Notre Dame experts to provide evidence-based insights and foster collaboration among key stakeholders to long-term peace and stability in the Philippines.

As part of this work, representatives from the U.S. State Department, the Government of The Philippines, the Moro Islamic Liberation Front, leading locally based civil society organizations and others met Dec. 4-6 in Davao City, Philippines for a workshop.

The gathering was facilitated by researchers from the Kroc Institute for International Peace Studies, part of the University of Notre Dame’s Keough School of Global Affairs at the University of Notre Dame, and Catholic Relief Services – Philippines. Meeting included presentations and feedback sessions about a baseline assessment report in development, implementation progress and a review of technology used for data collection.

The Peace Accords Matrix-Mindanao supports the peace process using a specific methodology developed with civil society. This collaborative initiative provides pathways for transforming armed struggle to peaceful political participation, citizenship, and livelihood. In partnership with 10 local civil society organizations, the initiative monitors implementation of the normalization process of the accord.

“Working with civil society, our Mindanao initiative provides evidence approaches to normalization that will promote a deeper shared commitment to long-term peace,” said Madhav Joshi, associate director of the Peace Accords Matrix, and the Kroc Institute’s lead for the Peace Accords Matrix-Mindanao.

A baseline assessment report is in development, to accurately reflect on-the-ground progress as well as challenges. At the workshop, civil society representatives reviewed initial assessment scores related to commitments that are part of the peace agreement’s normalization track: transitional justice, security and transitional components, socio-economic programs and decommissioning of combatants from the Moro Islamic Liberation Front and confidence-building measures.

Together, they shared insights, identified areas in need of clarification and suggested improvements for the report to an audience that included members of the U.S. State Department’s Bureau of Conflict and Stabilization Operations.

“The collaborative nature of the session will ensure that the final version of the report reflects a comprehensive and nuanced understanding of the normalization process,” Joshi said.

Participants agreed.

“These presentations helped us identify ways forward, such as strengthening partnership and coordination among civil society organizations, and fostering more dialogue and transparency about the normalization aspect of the peace agreement,” said Myla Leguro, the technical advisor for Social Cohesion at Catholic Relief Services.

The December workshop provided an opportunity to discuss ways to strengthen coordination among civil society organizations, foster transparency, and enhance dialogue on the normalization process. Civil society leaders, government representatives, and technical staff worked together to improve data collection techniques, using a variety of tools to monitor and assess progress.

Looking ahead, the Peace Accords Matrix-Mindanao plans to continue its collaborative efforts in 2025, establishing a regular forum for dialogue and information-sharing to maintain transparency and responsiveness to the needs of communities in the Bangsamoro region. The project’s ongoing engagement with key actors, including civil society, the Philippine government, and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front, will be instrumental in reinforcing the policy framework for sustainable peace in Mindanao, Joshi said.

“This is crucial for maintaining transparency, fostering trust, and ensuring that the normalization process remains responsive to the needs of the communities in the Bangsamoro,” Joshi said.

“As the initiative progresses,” Leguro said, “the Peace Accords Matrix-Mindanao will continue to serve as a platform of civil society organizations to increase community awareness and community engagement in future policy decisions on peace process implementation.”

The Peace Accords Matrix-Mindanao is supported by funds from the U.S. State Department’s Bureau of Conflict and Stabilization Operations, Humanity United, and the University of Notre Dame’s President’s Office, the Keough School of Global Affairs, and its Kroc Institute for International Peace Studies.

Originally published by Kate Chester at kroc.nd.edu on December 19, 2024.