More than 200 student leaders coming from the 17 municipalities and 1 city of Cotabato province will gather for the 1^st Gov. Emmylou Taliño-Mendoza High School Leadership Peace Camp at the capitol grounds, Amas Kidapawan City from December 1 to 3, 2011.

The two and a half-day leadership peace camp is another initiative of the present administration to guide the participants through an exploration of non-violent principles and an analysis of social change and peace building.

The peace camp will also be a venue for the participants, considered as future leaders of the province, to know the economic development agenda of the provincial government.

Governor Taliño-Mendoza is happy and excited about hosting the leadership peace camp believed to be a “first” in the history of secondary education in the province to involve student leaders of both public and private schools.

“The province of Cotabato is a victim of bad publicity.  We have been labeled as a battleground and called a troubled province when we are not.  And one way of correcting this misconception is to plant the seeds of peace into the minds and hearts of our youth,” the lady governor said.

“Through this peace camp the young leaders will be able to develop a better understanding of themselves, the social and cultural condition and aspirations of their peers, so that they can help government in changing the image of our province.  After all, the future belongs to them,” she added.

Supported by the Department of Education as co-lead agency, the peace and development advocacy sector and the various provincial government offices, The youth camp will also include personality test, intercultural activities, and an outdoor activity where the participants will be given an opportunity to appreciate the wonders of nature and stimulate their personal commitment in protecting the environment.

Last year, a total of 18,747 Grade V pupils joined the 1st Summer Kids Peace Camp conducted in all 17 municipalities and the city of Kidapawan. //vdb-idcd/pgo

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