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It
is my great pleasure to welcome everyone to the Pax Christi
Institute!
Pax Christi Institute
is an academic institution that wishes to bridge a gap between
the academic world and the socio-cultural and political realities
of the province, of the country and of the region. It hopes
to foster a kind of institution that allows free exchange
of worldviews and exploration of multivariate solutions and
approaches toward a better understanding of conflict and reconciliation
as means to peaceful transformation of relationships, systems,
and structures.
The location
of the Pax Christi Institute could not have been more appropriate.
Negros island is an epitome of paradox. While Negros as a
province has a history of abundance, it likewise chronicles
situations of oppression, dissension and conflict. While it
is a melting pot of diverse worldviews and lifestyles, it
is also characterized by many divides that polarize peoples
and groups. While the province is a seedbed of talented people
and great souls, it is consistently beset by tremendous challenges,
particularly in the peace front. While many fervently want
to maintain the status quo, it is never wanting of spirits
that boldly and courageously challenge it. These contradictions
are the focal inspiration for Pax Christi to establish the
Institute in Negros.
The Pax Christi
Institute is an institution of learning that wants to increase
and deepen not only the discourse on peace and reconciliation
but to closely link theory and practice and build models from
empirical realities. My warmest welcome to all the learners
and co-learners of this institution. Let your excitement and
passion for truth, justice and peace nurture the Pax Christi
Institute’s aspirations and make them a reality.
Sincerely yours
and peace,
Josephine P. Perez
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