Interfaith Cooperation Forum (ICF) Program Committee holds virtual regular meeting
The Interfaith Cooperation Forum (ICF) Program Committee held its second virtual regular meeting on September 20, 2024, from 4:00-6:00 pm HKT. Eleven members and three ICF staff attended the meeting. The purpose of the meeting was to share updates on the program implementation and to review key initiatives and upcoming activities for the remainder of 2024 and into 2025. Dunhill Angelo Maraya from the Philippines co-chaired the meeting.
Mohammad Ayatula Rahaman from Nepal led the opening prayer, followed by Dunhill Angelo Maraya’s opening remarks. He emphasized the significance of continued collaboration across diverse faiths and nationalities. Muriel Orevillo Montenegro, the ICF coordinator, conducted the roll call, after which Maraya, as chair, declared the quorum. He called on the members present to contribute to the discussions.
The agenda included several activities. Baidido Saganding, ICF’s Program Officer, facilitated the brief sharing of personal updates. The scribes, Hein Thura Htet from Myanmar and Annika Denkmann, BfdW Seconded Personnel, presented the highlights from the committee’s February 8, 2024 meeting. Montenegro presented the Program Committee Terms of Reference and introduced the new committee members. She noted that there are four slots allotted for YMCA as co-opted members. There are two from the YMCA: Retha Andoea, NGS of Indonesia YMCA, and Thi Diem Thuy Nguyen from Vietnam YMCA. The intention here is for the YMCA to become more familiar with the work of ICF and eventually incorporate it into its programs.
The program reports and plans were also shared during the meeting. Annika Denkmann shared updates on the Peace Institute Training of Trainers held in Siem Reap from July 31 to August 12, 2024, Cambodia, which was conducted in collaboration with CCC through Jürgen Deile and Phann Chandara, and Cambodia YMCA through Acting NGS Rin Nimey. NGS Retha Andoea, Indonesia YMCA, and Indonesia ICF Alumni Edward Simamora and Puansari Seligar, along with two volunteers, hosted the Thematic Workshop in Salatiga and Wonosobo from August 30 to September 4, 2024. Denkmann reported that the ICF staff will visit India in October for the School of Peace preparation that will take place in the first quarter of 2025 and that Sri Lanka Alumni and YMCA Kandy will host the thematic workshop in November. Among other things, she also mentioned The Peacebuilders, ICF’s e-newsletter, and called for articles.
Saganding reported updates on the Small Grant Proposals. Two proposals from Bangladesh and Pakistan are still under review, and the proponents are working on the revisions. She also encouraged the committee members to submit articles for the newsletter. The members willingly agreed and promised to write straight news, reflections, and feature articles on their community involvements.
The meeting proceeded with questions and answers. Thura shared the synthesis of the meeting and put forward the motion to rotate among the members, the scribe's task of taking down the meeting notes. With the seconded motion and no one volunteered, the Chair asked the ICF Coordinator to appoint those who would take down the notes and preside over the next meeting. Puansari Meilina Serigar was appointed the scribe, and Rinku Barnabas Mankhin to preside. The ICF Coordinator proceeded to give her closing remarks, highlighting the importance of the Program Committee’s role. She announced that ICF will undergo an external evaluation in 2025 and asked the members to consider hosting the Focus Group Discussion (FGD) as part of the evaluation. The Chair solicited suggestions for the next online meeting’s date. The body agreed to set it for December 13, 2024. The Chair declared the meeting adjourned the meeting at 6:00 p.m. as scheduled.
The ICF committee members continue to play a significant role in planning and implementing ICF activities.
Hamsiya K. Olimpain,
ICF Alumna, Philippines