“Stories of Change” is a national initiative with the theme: “Dialogue towards Harmony” promoted by the Silsilah Dialogue Movement (for more information about Silsilah visit www.silsilahdialogue.com.) in collaboration with the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines – Episcopal Commission for Interreligious Dialogue C B C P – E C I D. This initiative is done in the spirit of the year of “Ecumenism, Interreligious Dialogue and Indigenous Peoples, 2020”. We collect stories related to those who have been changed by the spirit of the “Human Fraternity” as a new discovery of one’s vocation to serve others with “purified” biases in the spirit of dialogue and solidarity. Often, we hear stories of violence and conflicts in the Philippines, especially in the Mindanao areas. With the collection of “Stories of Change”, we wish to bring a sign of hope in our society. We invite people of all cultures and religions to be part of this initiative.
OBJECTIVES
We hope that this “Stories of Change” initiative will:
1. Reach out to many sectors of society, through proper coordination, especially involving Religious and Educational sectors.
2. Discover many stories of change, convinced that transformations often come from all sectors of society, not only because of money, but in many cases because of the power of love, solidarity and commitment.
3. Share and discover with this initiative that there are touching stories of change helping each other in rediscovering the need for love, solidarity and peace even among people of different cultures and religions.
4. Collect stories of change related to Interreligious Dialogue, Ecumenism and Indigenous peoples as an important factor to change people, groups and society in the spirit of dialogue towards harmony.
5. Treasure stories of change of all kinds in this time of COVID-19 from different sectors of society and events of life of this critical time when the “Human Fraternity” is tested in many ways.
GUIDELINES:
1. T h e s t o r i e s c a n b e o r i g i n a l l y narrated/submitted in English or Filipino, but all stories will be properly edited and presented in English according to the criteria of our initiative.
We accept stories of change:
a. According to Length; written stories with 1,000 to 5,000 words and, stories of fewer than 1,000 words. We also help facilitate to write stories taken from interviews.
b. According to the mode of delivery; stories may be presented in a video format, dividing them by categories with the time duration of 10 to 30 minutes.
2. If possible add five pictures related to the story. We will follow instructions related to the privacy of each photo in case of publication, television, radio and other media means of communications. Owners shall be notified and acknowledged.
3. The stories must present experiences that have changed the life of one or many while discovering and rediscovering one’s vocation to serve all others.
4. In each story, three stages of presentation are to be considered essential: The original setting and event of the story; the circumstance or crisis that challenged the person or group to change and; the turning point and the event that follows as a result of the crisis or circumstance where the person or group has changed.
5. The stories should be of real “experiences” that have changed the life of one or many.
6. In each story must emerge the element of respect and love for others as part of the same “Human Family” linked by the love of the common Creator and not out of vested interest or pride. Thus, a sincere story of a person or group that have created an impact change or transformation.
7. We wish to say to the world that in our areas there are not only conflicts and problems, but also good stories to remember and to emulate.
8. Required basic information of the writer, owner and/or author:
· Name:
· Address:
· Birthdate:
· Religion:
· Contact Numbers: Email/FB account:
· Occupation: Affiliation/Organization: