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Northern Illinois University

NIU Office of Public Affairs


News Release

Contact: Tom Parisi, NIU Office of Public Affairs
(815) 753-3635

March 25, 2004

NIU welcomes Filipino activists to campus

DeKalb, Ill.--With the arrival of springtime, Northern Illinois University is planting seeds of peace, tolerance and hope for a better future.

The Center for Southeast Asian Studies and the International Training Office together will welcome 34 Muslim and Christian activists from the Philippines for a training institute designed to promote interethnic dialogue and conflict resolution. The program was made possible by a $200,000 grant from the U.S. Department of State.

The Filipino activists, most of whom are young people, will arrive on March 31 and spend the month of April on campus. They come from Mindanao, the largest and least developed island in the southern Philippines. Mindanao is home to 13 different ethno-linguistic groups and has been a frequent site of civil unrest. Muslims, Christians and tribal peoples populate the island.

Titled "Bridging the Gap," the NIU training institute aims to teach conflict resolution skills, examine the important role of volunteerism in civil society and introduce participants to American institutions that promote tolerance and religious diversity. Participants also will study the historical, ethical and moral dimensions of the ethno-political landscape in Southeast Asia.

"We want to teach these young activists skills that they can take back home and adapt to the needs of their own community," said Susan Russell, director of the NIU Center for Southeast Asian Studies. Russell is a professor of anthropology, specializing in the Philippines. "At the same time, we plan to expose our visitors to the cultural and religious diversity of the Midwest," she said.

"The institute will provide participants with a deep understanding of the diverse approaches to leadership, conflict resolution and community activism," added Lina Ong, director of the International Training Office. Russell and Ong head up the institute project, while participating faculty members include Julio Rique, Kay Forest and Janice Hamlet.

While at NIU, the Filipino activists will participate in classes, lectures, workshops, seminars, volunteer activities and discussions with local government and community leaders. They will meet with student organizations and representatives of the Peace Learning Center and learn about different strategies for conducting inter-faith dialogues, conflict resolution and mediation. Visits are planned to area churches, a homeless shelter, a mentoring program and other local organizations.

Institute participants also will travel on cultural tours of Springfield and Chicago, meeting with such groups as the Council of Islamic Organizations of Greater Chicago and the Catholic Theological Union.

"Ultimately, the institute aims to create leaders who will work toward peace and democratic ideals and promote greater understanding between Muslims and non-Muslims," Russell said.

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