The Second National Solidarity on Mindanao (NSCM2) September 8-9, 2011 Davao City The GPH-MILF Peace Talks:

Finding the Common Ground

Background: In the latest SWS Survey, 8 out of 10 Filipinos are hopeful that the GPH-MILF Peace Talks will result in a signing of a peace agreement. From the apathy, cynicism and sense of betrayal that stalled the negotiations in 2008, the survey results present a staggering leap that can be harnessed and translated into concrete public support for the outcome of the negotiations. This high sense of hope has been bolstered by the meeting of the two great leaders of the Philippine government the MILF in Japan on August 4, 2011, thus setting the best example of dialogue. On August 13-14, 2010, representatives from the civil society organizations (CSOs), church, internally displaced persons, Indigenous peoples, donors, academe, media, women, youth and humanitarian agencies, gathered at the University of the Philippines, Diliman, Quezon City to participate in the First National Conference on Mindanao (NSCM). As a result of the two-day meeting, NSCM has crafted a Declaration of United Action for a Negotiated Political Settlement in the GRP-MILF Peace Talks which formed the basis of a collective effort to help bring about a negotiated political settlement between the protagonists of the armed conflict in Mindanao. On February 10, 2011, the MILF has submitted its Draft Comprehensive Compact basically demanding for power-sharing and equitable sharing of resources within a defined political territory of a Bangsamoro sub-state. Six months and twelve days later, the government presented its proposal to the MILF which is described as a Three-in-One Mix. As reported by Mindanews, the gap between the two proposals has been described by

Chairman Mohagher Iqbal as heaven and earth while Dean Marvic Leonen said it is not so different. The biggest challenge of the day is how to make these two positions meet. Where and how to find the common ground in order to realize the hopes of the Filipino and the Bangsamoro peoples should not only be left upon the shoulders of the government and the MILF peace panels. The task should not only be left into the hands of President Aquino and Chairman Al Hajj Murad. It requires the participation, contribution and commitment of all sectors of the society from the grassroots, the religious, women, youth, the judiciary, Congress, Senate and the local government units, including the international community. Amidst this critical but highly potential political backdrop, the Bishop-Ulama Conference, Philippine Council of Evangelical Churches, International Alert, Mindanao Solidarity Network and the Mindanao Peoples Caucus will convene the 2nd National Solidarity Conference on Mindanao on 8-9 September 2011 in Davao City. With the theme, The GPH-MILF Peace Talks: Finding The Common Ground, the conference hopes to initiate, conduct and support the necessary efforts in order to narrow down the socalled heaven and earth gap between the proposals of the MILF and the GPH peace panels. Objectives: 1. To be informed and updated about the current state of the talks and the respective proposals of the parties for a negotiated political settlement; 2. To listen to various voices and ideas from the local government units, legislators, judiciary, the grassroots, indigenous peoples, women and youth on how to find a common ground between the two varying positions of the MILF and the Philippine government. 3. To develop an action plan that will address the gaps and tasks that will be required in the next coming critical months of the negotiations.

Target Audience: - Civil society groups - Local government units and political leaders - Representatives from religious sector - Representatives from indigenous peoples - Representatives from internally displaced persons - Diplomatic community and international development agencies - Womens groups - Media - Academe - Youth Program Flow: Part I Part II Part III Updates from the GPH Peace Panel Updates from the MILF Peace Panel Multi-Stakeholders Presentation on the theme GPHMILF Peace Talks: Finding the Common Ground Action Planning