Forum on Federalism
Local Government Officials in Northern Mindanao Tackle Federalism in Conflict Regulation and in Protecting Culture and Traditions
Best practices on “Federalism in Conflict Regulation and as a Tool to Protect and Respect Culture and Traditions” are shared with Lanao leaders and local barangay officials in a forum by Prof. Dr. Andreas Heinemann-Grüder
HSF
In a forum on federalism supported by the Vice Mayor Raineir Joaquin V. Uy of the City of Cagayan de Oro and Barangay Chairman Marlo Tabac of Barangay Gusa, more than 130 local government officials from Northern Mindanao gathered for a presentation on how certain federalised countries have successfully addressed conflict and preservation of the culture and traditions, especially of ethnic groups, in their particular systems of government.
Jointly organised by the Pimentel Institute for Leadership and Governance (PILG) and the Hanns Seidel Foundation (HSF), the forum, entitled “Federalism in Conflict Regulation and as a Tool to Protect and Respect Culture and Traditions: Typical Conflicts and Potential Arrangements” was held last 07 March 2017 in Cagayan de Oro City.
A forum jointly organised by the Pimentel Institute for Leadership and Governance and the Hanns Seidel Foundation in cooperation with the government of Cagayan de Oro City
HSF
During the activity, Prof. Dr. Andreas Heinemann-Grüder of the Political Science Department of the Friedrich-Wilhelm University of Bonn, Germany, as the discussant, shared how federalised countries have sought to recognise ethnic groups and observe ethnic rights in ways unique to the culture and traditions of their people. He concluded by pointing out the importance of having “inclusive federal parties that represent diversity and levels of government” in a federalised country. Bukidnon Provincial Prosecutor Rommel M. Alonto, as the reactor, helped to bridge key concepts and issues with concerns in the Philippine setting. Mr. Tabac moderated the discussion.
It is the aim of the forum to help the participants gain a clear basic understanding of federalism and to help encourage its discussion at the local level. HSF’s Resident Representative, Mr. Götz Heinicke expressed the HSF’s support for the dialogue on federalism by the Filipino public, whom he pointed out will be the ones to decide later on as to whether or not the country ought to adopt a federal system of government.
Prof. Dr. Andreas Heinemann-Grüder
HSF
In line with the partnership between the PILG and the HSF towards the raising of the awareness on the federal system of government in the country, the HSF invited Prof. Dr. Andreas Heinemann-Grüder to the Philippines from 06-10 March 2017 to speak on topics related to federalism that are of particular relevance to the Philippine public. The PILG and the HSF jointly organized a series of activities in the National Capital Region, in the Southern Tagalog Region and in Northern Mindanao in collaboration with local partners. This forum was the second activity held during the Cagayan de Oro leg of the professor’s visit to the country.