Official Website of
International Relations and Foreign Service
Carolinian Circle of Young Diplomats
(Political Science, University of San Carlos, Cebu City, PH)
by Hon. Hazel Claire Bagonoc and Hon. Jan Marie Langco
Cultivating Peace Through Food
On September 21, 2015, second year IRFS students from the IRFS 121 class of Atty. Archill Niña F. Capistrano gathered together at the PoSc Department Conference Room to observe the International Day of Peace through the Peace Meal. The activity simply aimed to foster solidarity and fraternity between students and generate discussions about peace vis-a-vis current global concerns over lunch. The students were assigned to bring their own version of a “peace food” – something they can connote peace with.
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Among the highlights of the Peace Meal is the reading of UN Resolution A/RES/55/282 as a sort of a "pre-meal ritual". This was followed by a reading of “What is Peace” by Etan Boritzer. In consonance with CCYD's #imsorry and #InternationalDayofPeace social media engagement, the symbolic act of saying “I’m sorry” by the attendees was also an important highlight of the event. CCYD’s Deputy Prime Minister Samantha Villabert and some other senior IRFS majors also joined the observance with the “Sorry” cake . It was more than just a verbal manifestation of an apology— it was a form of reconnection with other people, encompassing oneself through humility. Indeed, the students marked the start of a campaign for peace, advocating for a reconnection with the whole of humanity through humility and understanding. Lunch not only ended with smiles, burps, and many happy stomachs— there were lessons shared and lessons learned as well… one that the students are sure to carry for a very long time.