To better understand and respond to the challenges faced by the communities and foster solidarity, personnel from AdZU’s Social Development Unit (SDU) convened for their second learning session, “Bridging Leadership for Peace.” The session, a collaborative effort between the Ateneo Peace Center (APC) and the Ateneo Center for Leadership and Governance (ACLG), provided staff with foundational knowledge in peace education and conflict resolution, all anchored by the practical Bridging Leadership framework.
The collaborative format ensured that the learning was immediately relevant to the participants’ daily work in the field. Personnel from across the SDU’s various departments—including the Ateneo Center for Culture and the Arts, the Ateneo Center for Environment and Sustainability, the Ateneo Learning and Teaching Excellence Center, and the Center for Community Extension Services—participated. This cross-pollination of units allowed for a shared, holistic understanding of peacebuilding, recognizing that environmental sustainability, arts and culture, and educational excellence are all interconnected with conflict resolution and community development.
The session solidified the SDU’s commitment to institutional goals that transcend traditional service delivery. By integrating the Bridging Leadership approach, the personnel reinforced the importance of working with communities rather than for them. This commitment aligns directly with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 16 (Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions) and 17 (Partnerships for the Goals), the Laudato Si’ goal of “Community Engagement and Participatory Action,” and the university’s mission dedicated to “Holistic Growth and Human Flourishing.”