In 2002, the Committee on Education of the Interfaith Council of Leaders sponsored an orientation seminar on Culture of Dialogue, path to peace to some Muslim and Christian honor students who were graduated from selected Elementary Schools in Zamboanga City. This is an effort to expose our young incoming high school students to a life of dialogue by faith, even young as they are. Since then, the activity is being conducted annually every summer and there are total of seven batches with an estimated of 250 young graduates who are alumni of Silsilah. A number of them are actively involved in the movement through SilPeace, youth program that carries formations and other youthful activities related to dialogue and peace to sustain and nurture them as young dialoguer.
The 3-day live in seminar helps the young graduates to broaden their mind and heart to richness and goodness, and develop the virtue of appreciation and respect of each other’s diverse religion and practices from the invited lecturers; it also provides exposure experience to some religious places in the city; the participants experience the healing process of one’s woundedness in the workshops, and enhance the virtue of cooperation and working together in the spirit of friendship among them through recreation & fun-game activities.
The peaceful atmosphere of the Harmony Village where they had spent together facilitates the integration of their experience in finding the true meaning and appreciation of peace. A “home” where good relationship as well as friendship was built, valuing each other as brothers and sisters.
A follow on activity to bring them back to Harmony village was made possible by Silsilah in pursuing dialogue and believing that it should start among the young ones.
On August 16, 2009, the Interfaith Council of Leaders headed by Dr. Erdulfo Fernando, Committee Chair on Education, with the active collaboration of SilPeace youth program will spearhead an Inter-Faith Young Graduates Alumni Gathering with the theme, “Youth in Diversity: Sustaining the Values of Dialogue and Peace”. It will be held at Hji. Nuño and Fr. Di Guardo Auditorium, inside the Harmony Village at Pitogo, Sinunuc, Zamboanga City. On August 16, 2009, the Interfaith Council of Leaders headed by Dr. Erdulfo Fernando, Committee Chair on Education, with the active collaboration of SilPeace youth program will spearhead an Inter-Faith Young Graduates Alumni Gathering with the theme, “Youth in Diversity: Sustaining the Values of Dialogue and Peace”. It will be held at Hji. Nuño and Fr. Di Guardo Auditorium, inside the Harmony Village at Pitogo, Sinunuc, Zamboanga City.
The gathering attempts to reach out the Young Graduates who are now in Secondary and Tertiary level,coming together in a one whole day affair where they could share their common experiences, inspiring stories as well as the impact of the seminar they have gone through in their life. The event will provide a venue for socialization, entertainment and revitalize their aspirations for peace through dialogue. Fr. Sebastiano D’Ambra,PIME founder of the movement, the president Ms. Aminda Saño together with some members of the IFCL, Dr. Erdulfo Fernando and Mr. Ismael Abubakar will be invited and in solidarity their presence will inspire these young leaders to continue to venture and be nourished by the spirituality of dialogue as promoted by Silsilah.