Embassy of Canada to the Philippines

Published purpose

The Peace Links Program, Canada's support to peace and development in Mindanao, is composed of three linked and mutually supportive components designed to promote sustainable peace and development in Muslim Mindanao. Two of the components are: (i) Peace Fund supporting peacebuilding and development initiatives by local civil society groups. This fund supports local initiatives in the following areas: promotion and protection of the rights of children, women, and marginalized or vulnerable groups; capacity development of peace advocates and other stakeholders in the peace process; community-based or indigenous conflict/dispute resolution mechanisms; community education on peace and security; community engagement in local decision-making processes (e.g. environmental management issues); improved access to justice, particularly for women and marginalized groups; and law and policy reform advocacy. The fund is administered by the Canadian embassy in the Philippines. (ii) Electoral assistance to the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) and adjoining areas in the May 2007 local elections. This component was managed by the Asia Foundation. The Foundation undertook targeted activities to support the May 2007 local elections, in order to strengthen the credibility and legitimacy of the process and results. The Foundation recruited and deployed election observers from Indonesia and other Muslim countries. See Peace Links Program - I for a description of the third component.