PeaceTech uses ICT to promote understanding, respect among youth

MANILA, Philippines - Non-governmental organization PeaceTech has started the use of information communication technology (ICT) to build understanding and respect between young people throughout the Philippines.

The British Embassy in Manila welcomed peace building going high-tech in the Filipino classroom that showed communication is the cornerstone of peace building, and as today’s rapidly evolving technology provides better and faster ways to communicate with every corner of the globe.

PeaceTech conducted on Tuesday a videoconference between high school students from Esteban Abada High School in Sampaloc, Manila and Zamboanga State College of Marine Science and Technology in Zamboanga City, Mindanao.

It is the latest in a series of classroom videoconferences between thousands of high school and college students in Metro Manila, Zamboanga City, Iligan City and other Mindanao locations. Over 50 videoconferences have already been conducted.

PeaceTech, with the support of the British Embassy’s bilateral program, employs technology to bridge the gap between young Muslims and non-Muslims separated by distance and background.

By opening the lines of communication, young people are encouraged to embrace diversity, reducing the chances of conflict based on prejudice.

British Ambassador Stephen Lillie welcomed the project, saying “We support peace efforts in communities affected by conflict. Our bilateral program fund has been supporting peace-building projects that help lay the ground for lasting peace in Mindanao.”

“This project promotes understanding and acceptance of cultural and religious differences between young people, which is an important part of the peace building process,” Lillie said.