The world and our country today are confronted with misogynistic, violent and unlawful narratives floated in media, including in social media. These narratives run counter to Catholic social teachings, the values taught and lived by Jesus Christ as well as to national and international norms and policies. It is important to counter these narratives and promote accountability to peace, nonviolence, gender equality, women's rights, and human rights policies as well as adherence to the teachings of the Catholic faith using media and social media as tools.

Hence, the Center for Peace Education in partnership with the Catholic Educational Association of the Philippines (CEAP) and the Global Network of Women Peacebuilders (GNWP) organized a peace forum titled, “Building a Culture of Peace and Nonviolence and the Catholic Social Teachings: What the Youth Can Do Using Mainstream and Social Media” at Holy Land, Subic on 6 August 2018 and at Lourdes College in Cagayan de Oro City.

The forum in Subic was attended by approximately 500 youth from CEAP member schools in Region 3. The forum in Cagayan De Oro was attended by approximately 400 youth from 35 CEAP member schools in Region 10. Speakers included Dr. Jasmin Nario-Galace and Sophia Dianne Garcia from the Center for Peace Education; Mary Ann Cruz from the CEAP and Rohaniza Sumndad of Teach Peace Build Peace Movement.  

Participants of the forum were invited to post positive, uplifting messages on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter and to continue taking action for peace, human rights and gender equality.

Both events received very positive feedback from participants.