At the NCC

           A Seminar-Workshop on the Use of ICT in Conflict and Post-Conflict Areas was held at the National Computer Center, Zamboanga City, 3-6 August 2011. In the last weeks, I was invited to join/attend the said program.

          

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Day 1,

           It was 8am when my companion Leo and I arrived at the NCC to attend the said program. We signed the attendance sheet then we were given name tags, and given forms to be filled up(obviously).

           Mrs. Cheryl C. Ortega lit the candle by giving the opening remarks, then Mrs. Flordeliza Azarcon introduced the training team and the other participants - we were asked to go in front then introduce ourselves, I was kinda' nervous back then, coz' I was thinking that I might screw up and end my self embarrassed. But I ended up well. Then she presented the course overview then the house rules. In that time, I didn't absorb much because it's very cold in front, that is, where am I located(what's the connection anyway?^^).

           At last, it's already snack break, the moment that we're waiting for, we were given free snacks in fact, and it was delicious(YERK!). After that, we were given lectures about the Module(Module 1), that is, about Understanding Commonalities in Muslim and Christian Cultures. In that part, we learned more about the causes and effects of violence, that is, the absence of peace, more about peace. And we should not look in our differences but in our similarities, by that, we can establish a better relationship with each other, we can build peace. Then, we were asked answer some questions like "WHAT'S PEACE? HOW CAN YOU BUILD PEACE?" and make it into an essay.

           After the long discussions and essay making, lunch was served. After that, I believe we're already going into action, that is, fulfilling the program's objective, build peace through ICT. Blogging was reintroduced to us. Mr. Oliver Robillo was the lecturer by the way. And Arr! he's good when it comes to blogging, through his lectures, I've learned more about Blogging, even though I am already familiar with it. After that, it's snack break again! then we were made to apply on what we've learned, that is, to make our own blogs. But before that, we've experienced some difficulties, that is, errors in creating our own blogs, due to identical IP addresses. But still, we've made it.

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Day 2,

            This morning, we continued our unfinished work, that is, our blog. But before editing and finalizing our blogs, the team first asked us to encode our essays in the word document. Then we're asked to submit our blog URLs for checking. .... coming soon

 

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Day 3,
            Mr. Joel Yuvienco asked us to print screen our respective websites. Here it is :). . .

Perfect Gift

         Peace, the state in which the people of the world has been longing for. It is a state of Harmony - it is the absence of violence.Violence is usually caused by misunderstanding, misconception, ignorance towards others, and similar things to that. This can ultimately lead to massive conflicts.

          To people with different cultures, ignorance is the main cause of misunderstanding, misconception and things that can lead to the absence of peace, violence. To lessen the violence that is happening to the world today, we should be knowledgeable about the culture of others, we should be cautious of what may others feel in the way we act, the words we say.

          Through effective communication, we can minimize this "violence", we should converse with other people( wherein they have different culture) to alter misconceptions, build understanding and broaden their knowledge about the causes and effects of the consequences of violence. In short, being effective advocates of peace may reduce the risk of having problems with people with different cultural backgrounds.

          "Since wars begin in the minds of men, it is in the minds of men that the defenses of peace must be constructed." - UNESCO, in this quotation it is clear that the first phase of peace is in our minds, in ourselves, we must fix ourselves to for the better, in such way that, we should not judge anyone immediately, respect on what their doing, their looks, respect their every aspect.

          Henceforth, we can establish a better relationship with others - better understanding, no discrimination, no prejudice . . . That means, there's no place for violence, but peace. What more can we ask?