Missionaries of the Sacred

Following the success of its first Peace Camp in 2006, the Communication Foundation for Asia (CFA) recently held its second Peace Camp (April 27-May 2). The theme of the camp was “Christian and Muslim Youth: Spreading the Message of Peace and Unity.” 50 Muslim and Christian students from four high schools attended.

Evolving from two organizations founded in the 1960s by Fr. Cornelio Lagerway, a Missionary of the Sacred Heart, the Communication Foundation for Asia was formally established as a non-profit organization in 1973. Today the CFA has almost 100 staff members who work on video documentaries and TV programs, distribute religious publications, conduct training workshops and host events such as Peace Camp. Missionaries of the Sacred Heart continue to serve on the Board of Trustees and also help carry out some of the many projects of the foundation.

This year’s Peace Camp was an opportunity for students of different faiths to get to know each other and to find commonalities despite religious differences, helping prepare those who will be the future leaders of the country to be able to engage in the dialogue necessary for lasting peace.  Participants’ misconceptions and stereotypes were challenged during the six days through interaction, lectures and discussions. There were also several skill-building workshops, including one given by Fr. Stephen Cuyos, MSC, the CFA’s digital media expert.

When asked after the event, both Muslim and Christian students said that they thought that peace was possible between followers of the two religions. Now that the Peace Camp has concluded, the participants’ task is to spread the lessons they learned. They will also be expected to attend follow up workshops which will be held after six months and again after one year.  

For more information about the Peace Camp, please read the article “New Batch of Peace Ambassadors Presented at 2nd CFA Peace Camp”. To learn more about the Communication Foundation of Asia, please visit their website at www.cfmedia.org.