October to November

Peace Exchanges between Ateneo de Manila University and the University for Peace

Dr. Maria Luz Vilches (Vice President for Higher Education), Dr. Czarina Saloma-Akpedonu (Dean, School of Social Sciences), Dr. Jose Jowel Canuday (Chair, Department of Sociology and Anthropology and Interim Director, Tagpuan: Center for Dialogue, Research, and Collaboration), and Dr. Jennifer Oreta (Assistant Professor. Department of Political Science and Director, Ricardo Leong Institute for Global and Area Studies) visited our partner university in Costa Rica, the United Nations-mandated University for Peace in October 2023. They participated in part 2 of "Conversations on a Volatile World," a three-part series of conversations on peace and transdisciplinary social development organized by the Asian Peacebuilders Scholarship Programme (APS).

Part 2 of the APS conversations between scholars from the University for Peace and the Ateneo de Manila University explored Asian perspectives and experiences of dialogue as a resource for peace and transdisciplinary social development. Dr. Vilches initiated the conversation about language (English) as a tool for promoting peace, Dr. Saloma-Akpedonu shared her reflections on the navigations of academic actors through the social spaces of large development institutions, while Dr. Canuday demonstrated how formal negotiations for peace in Mindanao are buttressed by multiple efforts of interfaith on-the-ground dialogues. Interlocutors from the University for Peace were Dr. Olivia Sylvester, Dr. Mihir Kanade, and Dr. Adriana Salcedo.

On 03 October 2023, the Progress Report Workshop for the Evidence-Based Research Project of the House of Representatives (HRep) and the Ateneo de Manila University (ADMU) was successfully conducted, marking a significant milestone for the project. The workshop gathered the project’s thirteen research teams, external reviewers, partners from the Congressional Policy and Budget Research Department (CPBRD), representatives from different House Committees, and distinguished members of the House of Representatives including Hon. Stella Quimbo, who is the initiator of the momentous research collaboration.

The workshop fostered knowledge sharing and allowed the research teams to gather valuable insights from technical experts and policymakers alike that will help further refine their respective studies.

The HRep-AdMU Project is envisioned to provide the legislative body with evidence-based research and data that will allow for the formulation and enactment of appropriate and timely policies in support of the administration's 8-point socioeconomic agenda.

SOSS invited to the ROK’s National Day and Armed Forces Day celebration

Dr. Czarina Saloma-Akpedonu led the delegation representing the Ateneo de Manila University at the reception for the celebration of the National Day and Armed Forces Day of the Republic of Korea on October 3, 2023 at the Grand Hyatt Hotel Manila. They joined distinguished Korean dignitaries, Filipino high-ranking officials in government and the military and media representatives who were warmly welcomed by H.E. Ambassador Lee Sang-hwa and his wife.

The Ateneo Korean Studies Program is honored to be invited to the event. It will continue to serve as an interdisciplinary hub for examining, engaging, and experiencing Korea in Philippine academia. Through research and the active development of Korea-related courses and programs for both students and educators, KSP will continue to partner with the Embassy of the Republic of Korea in promoting the critical study of Korea and strengthening Philippines-Korea relations.

KSP to administer the 1st TOPIK IBT in the Philippines

Preparations are underway for the first Test of Proficiency in Korean Internet-based Test (TOPIK IBT) in the Philippines to be held on November 18, 2023 at the Ateneo Loyola Campus.

TOPIK is a globally recognized assessment of proficiency in the Korean language. It evaluates language skills in listening, reading, writing, and speaking. The test is taken by individuals who have learned Korean for various purposes, such as further education, employment, and cultural engagement.

Ateneo de Manila University is the sole testing center authorized by the Republic of Korea’s National Institute for International Education (NIIED) under the Ministry of Education to conduct the TOPIK IBT in the country. A Memorandum of Understanding between the ADMU and NIIED was signed and finalized in April 2023.

Mindanao Studies Then and Now: A Conversation

On October 13, 2023, the School of Social Sciences lecture series on Global Mindanao and Maritime Southeast Asia hosted a roundtable discussion entitled “Mindanao Studies Then and Now: A Conversation,” through the partnership of the Department of History and the Institute of Philippine Culture. Special guest Patricio N. Abinales of the University of Hawaii-Manoa was joined by the History Department’s Patricia Irene N. Dacudao and Fr. Antonio Francisco B. De Castro, S.J. in the panel. Joselito Sescon of the Department of Economics moderated the conversation, and SOSS Dean Czarina Saloma Akpedonu gave the Opening Remarks.

Key topics covered were the historical evolution of research concerning Mindanao, the current landscape and future trajectory of Mindanao-focused scholarship, and the importance of the region to the Philippines, Southeast Asia, and the world. In attendance, online and onsite, were scholars and professors from various institutions, undergraduate and graduate students of the Ateneo universities of Manila and Mindanao, and civil servants involved in the Bangsamoro Peace Process. The roundtable culminated in an animated Q&A session that underscored a sustained interest in Mindanao Studies and Mindanao as a whole.

Mr. Joey Sescon (Economics Department, ADMU), Jojo Abinales, Ph.D (Asian Studies Department, University of Hawaii-Manoa), Pat Dacudao, Ph.D (History Department, ADMU) and Fr. Tony de Castro, SJ (History Department, ADMU). Photos courtesy of Neville Jay Manaois (History Department, ADMU).

The Ateneo Center for Research and Organizational Development (Ateneo CORD) recently conducted a successful run of CARES 2.0: A Well-being Framework for Policy Formulation in Organizations Workshop for the City Government of Pasig. The program was facilitated by Dr. Joy Teng-Calleja and Dr. Toni Mactal.

This four-day workshop was grounded on Ateneo CORD’s CARES 2.0 Framework which focuses on identifying employee needs and organizational resources that can guide Mental Health policy and strategy formulation. Over 120 employees from the City Government of Pasig participated in discussions on Mental Health concerns and practiced providing peer-to-peer support following Mental Health response skills. Heads from various units of the City of Pasig worked with Ateneo CORD on developing and planning the policies, programs, and implementation procedures of their Mental Health Policy.

On the last day of the workshop, members of the City Government of Pasig shared their output to the group, and all attendees participated in a commitment exercise to signify their dedication to the policy they have created and to see through its establishment and evaluation. The final policy, after including insights and suggestions from the group, will be turned over to the Pasig City HR Team to kick-start the implementation.

On 21-22 October 2023, the Ateneo Department of Economics participated in the 18th East Asian Economic Association (EAEA) International Conference in Seoul, Korea. Members of the Department, including Dr. Majah-Leah Ravago, Dr. Geofrey Ducanes, Dr. Maire Magante, Mr. Gerald Pascua, and Mr. Dino Saplala, presented and showcased their respective research studies.

Dr. Nandy Aldaba, one of the Directors of EAEA, also participated in the conference. The Manila contingent to the EAEA also includes colleagues from the National Economic Development Authority, Secretary Arsenio Balisacan and Assistant Secretary Sarah Daway-Ducanes and from the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas, Dr. Faith Cacnio and Dr. Hazel Parcon-Santos.

From October 21-22, The Department of Communication was represented by Aaron Vicencio at CTEC Asia 2023, a forum hosted by Konrad Adenauer Political Dialogue Asia on Communication, Technology, Citizenship and the use of Generative Artificial Intelligence. Digital Efficacy is necessary from knowing what to use, to experiencing and experimenting with digital tools.

The conversation revolved around organizations creating a code of ethics and the use of AI, and workflow guide for media practitioners.

Last October 23-27, The Asian Center for Journalism at Ateneo had the privilege to collaborate with the Department of Communication Science of FISIP, UNDIP at Semarang, Indonesia. ACFJ alumni from different countries like Malaysia, India, Vietnam, Nepal, Singapore, Philippines, and Indonesia gathered together and shared stories about their experiences as women in media.

In case you missed it

Dr. Sun Jung Woo, of the Korean Studies Program, delivered a special lecture on the history and significance of hanbok in an event organized by the Korean Cultural Center in the Philippines this afternoon. She discussed the cultural value of hanbok and how it has been a symbol of Korean heritage throughout history.

According to Dr. Woo, hanbok has been gaining global recognition in recent years, thanks to its appearances in Korean TV dramas and the influence of K-pop idols who've donned these elegant outfits in their music videos.

TALAB 2023

Reading List

Women, peace and security (wps) is a global normative agenda that seeks to address the vulnerability and victimization of women in armed conflict situation and recognize their agency to transform post-conflict societies. In over two decades, various international institutions, states, and transnational and domestic civil society groups have taken on various initiatives to advance wps through international policy frames, regional commitments, and national operationalization.

In Southeast Asia, even though women’s human rights have gained traction in the region through cross-cutting issues on gender equality and violence against women, not much has been said in the context of these in armed conflict and peacebuilding situations. In fact, to date, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (asean) was the latest regional body to have adopted a framework for action on wps. This study uses the norm life cycle model to explain the emergence and cascade of wps in the asean and explains the challenges to the internalization of the norm in the region.

Human security, a people-centered approach to security, typically seeks to examine vulnerabilities and identify ways of protecting people from threats. However, people are not perennial victims—they also have agency and are capable of acting on their own. This study looks at how the Women, Peace, and Security (WPS) agenda has created both the discursive and actual spaces for women's agency, particularly in the case of women's civil society organizations (CSOs), as illustrated by their work on the ground.

This chapter investigates how the Gaston Z. Ortigas Peace Institute (GZOPI), Sulong Peace, and Women Engaged in Action on United Nations Security Council Resolution 1325 (WE Act 1325) have been able to shift their strategies from vertical empowerment to horizontal empowerment based on their experiences of assisting grassroots women's groups in peacebuilding work during the COVID-19 pandemic.

On the horizon

ACFJ Diploma in Visual Journalism Program 2024 Intake
Eligibility to the program:

have at least one (1) full year of work experience as a photojournalist, photo editor, photographer or journalist
be a college graduate with an average of B or higher
be proficient in oral and written English
be proficient in photo editing software and in basic computer and Internet operations
have access to a digital single lens reflex (SLR) camera system and a computer with Internet connection and industry-standard photo-editing programs

Deadline for applications must be submitted by January 2024

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