The Central Luzon State University (CLSU), an institution that supports and advocates for peace, is the first Higher Education Institution (HEI) in the Philippines which formally unveiled the establishment of the Peace Monument on July 15, 2022; this also coincided with the celebration of its 70th Annual Commencement Exercises.
The Peace Monument, built in front of the University Library, is a joint project of CLSU, Heavenly Culture, World Peace, Restoration of Light (HWPL), and Volunteer Individuals for Peace (VIP). It serves as an icon for peace, a tangible reminder to the academic community of its shared commitment and responsibility to making the university campus a zone of peace.
“This is a peace shrine where students can reflect on what is happening around them,” said Dr. Ronald L. Adamat, Commissioner for Commission on Higher Education (CHED) during the inauguration ceremony.
CLSU, as the pioneering SUC to build a marker for peace, recognizes its role in sustaining peace by simply advocating inclusivity and diversity leading to respect for individual differences in terms of race, religion, culture, and personal beliefs.
The University, duly represented by Dr. Danilo S. Vargas, Vice President for Administration said “The peace marker is an enduring symbol of the university’s commitment in nurturing and sustaining a culture of peace through mobilizing its stakeholders in a proactive stance and initiatives that promote peace in the country.”
The inauguration was also attended by Mr. John Rommel Garces, HPWL Philippines Manager, and other key officials from CHED and CLSU.
HWPL is an international peace non-government organization that advocates peace-building through the implementation of international law, alliance of religions through interfaith dialogues, and peace education. VIP, on the other hand, is a non-government organization established by Commissioner Adamat.
