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The Harvard Humanitarian Initiative’s HHI Resilient Communities program and Mindanao State University-Iligan Institute of Technology’s (MSU-IIT) College of Arts and Social Sciences (CASS) successfully hosted a workshop entitled “Understanding Climate, Conflict, and Environmental Impacts in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM)” on May 30-31, 2023 at the MSU-IIT campus in Iligan City, Philippines. The workshop convened over 30 humanitarian, development, government, and academic experts in the fields of climate change, environment, and conflict and peacebuilding in the region.
“If we, as a global society, are to avert the most catastrophic consequences of climate change we must understand how climate change-related impacts affect the world’s most vulnerable populations and we must work across professional disciplines to identify solutions that save lives in the short term and insure social and economic vitality in the long term. This was at the heart of why we brought together a multi-disciplinary group of actors to address how conflict, climate change, and the environment interact to impact communities in the BARMM,” said Dr. Vincenzo Bollettino, Program Director of HHI Resilient Communities.
“I believe that the workshop served as a fertile ground for discussions and connections to grow. Everyone has a takeaway which will be the spark to start something new or the push to innovate current programs of organizations and institutions. I am very hopeful to see more changes in how we address concerns on climate change and conflict especially in the BARMM,” said Prof. Sittie Noffaisah Pasandalan, Assistant Dean of MSU-IIT’s CASS.
The event sought to better understand the nexus between humanitarian crises related to climate change, the environment, and conflict affecting the BARMM. It became a collaborative platform where experts from different local, national, and international organizations exchanged ideas, expertise, and practical knowledge on the complexities of the issues affecting the region. Ultimately, the experts identified common ground on such issues and pledged to continue the conversation and collaboration to eventually develop strategies that can address long-standing problems and support initiatives around climate, environment, and peacebuilding in the region.
“If we can create sustained dialogue and a common platform for addressing the intersection of climate impacts, peace and security and the environment, this will serve as a model not only for the Philippines but for other countries working to mitigate the impacts of climate change in already fragile contexts,” said Dr. Bollettino.
Prof. Pasandalan highlighted that “MSU-IIT is committed to attaining the UN SDGs and in this part of the world, we need all the assistance we can get to maximize our efforts and actions. The workshop was a great opportunity for the University to have new partners and linkages whose missions aligned with that of the University.”
“Since BARMM is still in transition period, it needs support from other organizations and institutions in the crafting of its laws and programs towards the realization of its being an autonomous region. The workshop opens possibilities and creation of new realities for the envisioned BARMM and the attainment of sustainable peace in Mindanao,” Prof. Pasandalan added.
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