Our partnership is like a river, originating from a modest spring born of our shared aspirations and a collective determination to bring about meaningful change. Eleven years ago, together with our partner organization, the Media Educators of Mindanao (MEM), our spring emerged carving its path through uncharted terrains to transform media education in Mindanao. At its source, the river flowed with pristine clarity and resolute purpose as we embarked on a collective mission to inspire a new breed of teachers, journalists, communicators, and media consumers.
For the final time last October 30-31, 2024, members of MEM and Pro Peace gathered to look back at the shared experience of introducing the framework of Conflict Sensitive Journalism to schools and universities in Mindanao, Philippines. We reflected on the long and arduous yet fulfilling journey by depicting it as a flowing river. This final workshop symbolized the river’s arrival at its delta—a place of finality as the CSJ Project ends, and of a beginning as the horizon comes into view, signifying new opportunities yet to unfold. The workshop was a moment to celebrate the journey, to reflect on the varied challenges, and to imagine the future of MEM and CSJ as they continued their course towards the horizon.
The early currents
In 2013, the river began to move swiftly, carving its path. The early years of the CSJ Project were full of energy and discovery. We spent these years looking for our footing and defining our shared goals. Partners such as Peace and Conflict Journalism Network (PECOJON) and the Commission on Higher Education (CHEd) in Region XI supported us in shaping our vision of changing the media landscape through education. Motivated by the idea of using media to positively influence conflict dynamics in Mindanao, we worked together to push for the institutionalization of CSJ into varied communications programs in higher education institutions in Mindanao.
CSJ is derived from the study of journalism as a discipline, combined with conflict science and practical experience of journalists in the field. Recalling the core values of good journalism—accuracy, balance, and impartiality—this approach employs tools of conflict analysis to understand conflict not just as a singular event, but as a social process. Aiming to present the broad picture by sharing an in-depth look at the context, and the perspectives, interests, and needs of different actors, CSJ is a constructive paradigm that contributes to the peaceful transformation of violent conflicts instead of its escalation.
Like the steady waters of a young stream, the group navigated new territories, building trust while creating momentum. CSJ became our rallying call, and transforming media education became our collective vision. In the early years of the project, seeds of change were planted among media educators who took part in a series of trainings and workshops offered in batches by Pro Peace and PECOJON. The pioneer batch of these teachers formed a community of learner-practitioners to provide continuous peer support among those who are trained on this new knowledge and were inspired by the values of CSJ. The group grew and expanded to include more and more educators through the years until they finally became what is now MEM.
The initial phase was also filled with efforts to amplify the promotion of CSJ to a multitude of students through school caravans. The CSJ framework was not only introduced academically but also applied in media production by the students themselves. Students of Holy Cross of Davao College produced several short films using the framework and tools that served as guidelines in producing conflict-sensitive content. These were included as part of the program in the highly respected Mindanao Film Festival in 2014.
In 2018, the publication of the teaching guide Conflict Sensitive Journalism: Philosophy and Practice, was a significant collective achievement. The material was the first of its kind, offering a theoretical and practical guide for teachers to use to teach the framework and conflict analysis tools attached to CSJ. It was only fitting that the first half of the journey was marked by the creation of a material that became an invaluable resource for teachers, not just in Mindanao, but also outside the country. From an academic working in a university in Germany to media practitioners in Nepal, we have heard how the guide has helped them use the lens of CSJ and the tools of conflict analysis to understand and present media more accurately, sensitively, and with more nuance.
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Creating tributaries of change
Each milestone that we reached together created a tributary, adding strength and purpose to the growing current. As the river expanded, it brough life to those who relied on its sustenance and guidance, nurturing and inspiring those around it.
Today, MEM sees itself as a community of learners, “nurturing the culture of teachers teaching teachers.” In pursuing a more contextualized teaching of CSJ in Mindanao, MEM pioneered the integration of the CSJ framework not only in journalism subjects, but more so in communication programs. Owing to the declining population of journalism students in Mindanao, those who were trained in CSJ were mostly educators of media and communications subjects. This paved the way for a more nuanced application of CSJ not only in journalistic practice, but also among social communicators who are also purveyors of information. Therefore, instead of just teaching CSJ, they are now teachers and trainers of Conflict Sensitive Journalism and Communication (CSJC). In October 2023, the first batch of teachers trained on CSJC was facilitated by Pro Peace and MEM’s pool of trainers. Twenty teachers from higher education institutions and senior high schools attended a month-long hybrid training program that formally introduced the additional module on conflict-sensitive communication approaches. In 2024, this batch was accompanied by the trainers and mentors in MEM as they implemented their action plans to integrate CSJ.
Aside from strengthening the capacities of the teachers to teach and practice CSJ and later CSJC, we also worked with CHEd to promote the inclusion of CSJ into the communications curricula. Today, several institutions in Mindanao such as Davao del Norte State College, Holy Cross of Davao College, Ateneo de Davao University, University of Mindanao, and University of the Philippines (UP) Mindanao, are offering CSJ as a separate subject in their communications curricula. MEM teachers in other institutions have also extensively integrated the framework and the tools of conflict analysis in other media and communications subjects such as campus journalism, development communication, media and information literacy, and media ethics.
Truly, the river now runs deep and wide. Our story has now reached beyond Mindanao inspiring more teachers and media practitioners. Not only have we made strides in promoting CSJ locally in Mindanao but also contributed to expanding the sphere of knowledge on CSJ even internationally. In 2020, together with MEM, PECOJON, and several other academic and civil society partners, we organized an international research conference where both Mindanao and international-based researchers presented ground-breaking research studies on CSJ. Our aim was to generate academic insights on practicing journalism and communication in a conflict setting, increasing the professionalization of journalism in general, and contributing to peacebuilding in conflict areas.
Currently, we are in the process of developing the second edition of the teaching guide that includes robust introduction on the framework of CSJ from Antonia Koop, co-founder of PECOJON, and the module on conflict-sensitive communication approaches and the experiences of the teachers who are championing the comprehensive inclusion of CSJ into communications curricula from MEM.
Navigating rapids and finding moments of calm
As the river meandered and deepened, hidden rocks began to appear, subtly stirring the waters and creating rapids. These moments of turbulence tested our resolve and partnership, bringing questions of continuity, sustainability, and impact to the surface. Yet, just as a river finds its way around obstacles and carve new paths, we confronted these moments with determination. Together, we forged paths and bridges of understanding, refined our approaches, and reinforced our shared commitment to the journey ahead.
One set of rapids, in particular, was pivotal in our journey. The COVID-19 pandemic marked a moment where the partnership’s course could have been diverted entirely or even completely stalled. Yet, navigating those rapids required us to take a step back and re-direct our focus toward ourselves_ our collective purpose, and capacity to continue the journey. In doing so, we were able to produce a compendium of stories showcasing how our partner-teachers coped during lockdown and persisted in teaching despite the limitations and risks. Their stories reflected their strength of character, resiliency, and creativity in those dire times. The teachers continued their work by adapting new ways of learning and teaching such as online and hybrid modalities. It was also during this time that we held several online learning sessions with the teachers to nurture their community of knowledge. Though the pandemic restricted many aspects of our way of life, it did not limit the imagination and motivation of the teachers to enhance their teaching, innovate, connect, and share knowledge with others.
In the last few years, one key focus of our journey has been ensuring that the partnership’s work endures with time even without the presence of Pro Peace. How do we sustain the flow of positive change so it not only continues but also nourishes new landscapes in the future? In this, we have recognized the crucial role of MEM as an organization with the potential to make a significant impact in transforming media education not only in Mindanao but also the Philippines. The seeds sown at the beginning of our partnership with MEM have grown and taken root in fertile soil. The roots have extended not only to places where we intentionally planted them, but also to areas we did not anticipate.
Today, we are witnessing how MEM has become independent and ever-expanding with their own vision, programs, and partnerships. MEM, as an organization, has grown with respect to their internal structures and systems, and organizational strategy. With its revised vision, mission, and clear programmatic areas, MEM is now more strategic in their work advocating for CSJC, climate change communication, and media and information literacy in Mindanao. They have forged partnerships with varied civil society organizations as well as media organizations to train educators, journalists, content creators, and students on various topics such as CSJC, film literacy, artificial intelligence, fact-checking, and digital security. At one point, MEM’s membership even grew to 900 members – a testament to the potential impact the group has in influencing media education.
Nevertheless, it was not easy navigating this new path of strengthening MEM’s organizational capacity. Often, through the course of the river, there were many instances that required stretches of calm for us to facilitate this change holistically and inclusively with each member of MEM. Any change process within a growing organization requires a participatory approach so that every member of the organization can find their place in the process. However, when the current of change, especially the reality of the culmination of the project crashed against the dry banks of limited resources and increasing priorities, we found it necessary to pause, look inward and replenish the water that has dried up. Group dialogues within MEM and with Pro Peace were initiated to ensure this change process was rooted in the collective identity, hopes, and aspirations of MEM.
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These moments when the river seemed to slow down not only helped us in reflecting on the challenges and articulating the lessons from our experiences, but also allowed us to look around and appreciate how far we had come. These moments reminded us of the beauty of our shared work, the personal transformations, the milestones achieved, and the community of learners-practitioners strengthened. During our last workshop together, despite it being the culmination, this was the energy and inspiration we brought with us to look forward to the future.
Looking towards the horizon
Though this chapter of the river’s journey, of the CSJ project, has come to an end, its waters will continue to flow, nourishing the landscapes it touches. The legacy of this partnership will endure as we embark on a new project to focus on media practitioners, content creators, and civil society organizations, and how media can positively influence conflict dynamics in Mindanao. The CSJ project may end but the relationship with MEM will continue and gain new form. Our river – our partnership – will continue to shape new possibilities and sustain the hopes and dreams of those it served.
After 11 fulfilling years of nurturing the culture of teachers teaching teachers, MEM is expanding its efforts to include not only educators but also media creators of all kinds. With CSJC at the heart of everything, MEM hopes to continue fostering quality media education not only in schools, but in all platforms possible. MEM will also continue to work on strengthening the organization through its committed leaders and core group members, sustain its partnerships with different media and education organizations, and explore opportunities for funding.
As we stand at the edge of our journey, we look towards the horizon with gratitude and optimism. The river teaches us that every journey shapes the land it touches, and every challenge strengthens its resolve. We hope the lessons learned along the way will continue to guide us and inspire others, flowing into new beginnings with the same clarity and purpose as the source from which it all began.
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