Community-based Dialogues Project (CBD)
3rd leg of the CBD Multi-sectoral Training on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights held for Western Visayas
HSF
The 3-day activity was attended by more than 65 participants representing the Armed Forces of the Philippines coming from the AFP Human Rights Office, Central Command and major services (Philippine Army’s 3rd Infantry Division, Philippine Navy and Philippine Air Force spanning its geographical area in the Visayas), the Philippine National Police (training manager/assistant training managers from the Regional Specialized Training Units/RSTUs (Regions VI, VII and VIII) and Human Rights Office (Region VI), the Commission on Human Rights (CHR), and from civil society organizations (CSOs). Representatives from the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) and the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) as well as members of the Project Steering Committee (PSC) were present as part of the training team and significantly contributed to the discussions.
HSF
The multi-sectoral ESCR training program was developed following strong and consistent recommendations from the regional dialogues focusing on civil and political rights (CPR) to also run a training program on ESCR noting that a number of civil and political rights issues and concerns emanate from ESCR-related conflicts. The PSC assessed the various human rights problems raised at the regional dialogues and identified four (4) dominant themes, namely, indigenous people’s rights, agrarian reform or land issues, mining, and labor.
For the Western Visayas training, three priority thematic issues were discussed – Indigenous Peoples, Agrarian Reform and Mining.
Participants of the 3-day CBD Multi-sectoral training on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights in Iloilo City
HSF
The participants found the training relevant and useful in their work with the communities especially in far-flung areas where there is limited government presence. They acknowledged the importance of “dialogue” as a good platform to set aside differences and work together towards a better understanding of the role of the security sector in the promotion and protection of ESCR. They appreciated the design and conduct of the training in pursuing their tasks and duties in the spirit of mutual trust and respect.
The CBD is a partnership among the Alternative Law Groups (ALG), Armed Forces of the Philippines, Philippine National Police, Commission on Human Rights, and Philippine Alliance of Human Rights Advocates (PAHRA), with support from the Hanns Seidel Foundation/Germany (HSF).