Upon hearing of the chance to go to Mindanao to study challenges is peace-building, I realized that due to unique current events that this could be an an opportunity of a lifetime. My knowledge of the conflict the region is very limited but my from the readings I was able to find it appeared to be a religious based conflict. This appearance will be wrong on the ground because reasons for armed conflict usually go deeper than one issue and I look forward to exploring the root causes of that led individuals to take up arms against each other. I am aware of the some of the previous conflict in the area during World War II, especially about the collaboration of Filipino resistance fighters and US troops in fighting a common enemy. However, the changing of enemy for local inhabitants from external in the Japanese Army to internal in the Central government has led to conflict becoming a way of life in the area and it has developed a culture of violence that has served to stagnate social and economic growth in the region. In the subsequent years the security situation in Mindanao has vacillated between peace and all out war between armed groups and the government and the people must be getting tired of the destruction. i cant wait to hit the ground and find out for myself.
