On the afternoon of 16 November 2024, the Malipayon Peace Hub in Managa, Bansalan, Davao del Sur, became the vibrant venue for PeaceBuilders Community, Inc.’s (PBCI) First Annual General Meeting. The hybrid event—combining onsite and online participation—brought together 42 attendees, including field volunteers from across the Philippines, from Canada, from among PBCI and Coffee for Peace (CFP) staff, partners, impact investors, friends, and online followers. This diverse gathering marked a milestone in the organization’s journey, fostering a collaborative spirit to shape its strategic direction. Emil Jonathan Soriano (PBCI Board Chair) and Joseph “Ka Boyet” Ongkiko (PBCI’s Executive Vice President for Institutional and Program Development) led the meeting with a balance of warmth and clarity, ensuring both onsite’ and online participants were fully engaged. The three-hour session was structured yet dynamic, creating space for individual reflection, group collaboration, and collective decision-making.
The participants were first invited to personally reflect on five initiatives they envisioned for PBCI in the coming years. Afterward, they identified others who shared similar aspirations, naturally forming sub-groups that became the think tanks for various strategic priorities. The conversations were rich with ideas, fueled by the participants’ passion for peacebuilding and community transformation.
Thematic Focus Areas
One group gravitated toward Peace Theology Initiatives, emphasizing the need to develop a curriculum on the indigenization of theology. They proposed listening deeply to the justice aspects of Indigenous theological frameworks, ensuring these lead to equity and not just equality. This approach, they argued, could serve as a bridge to engage larger resource partners who share this vision.
Another group focused on Community Engagement, aiming to design programs tailored to specific community needs. They envisioned immersion activities to foster deeper contextual understanding, enhanced budget planning, and the application of simple accounting systems. They also highlighted the importance of facilitating access to assistance from both government and non-government organizations.
The Coffee Empowerment Service for the Community group proposed practical steps to strengthen coffee production at the grassroots. Their ideas included establishing preventive maintenance schedules, designing cost-effective post-harvest tools, and building technical partnerships with Canadian experts. They also discussed training technicians to support farmers, procuring a printing machine for branding, and meeting Food and Drug Administration (FDA) requirements for international sales.
Meanwhile, the Coffee Quality—Continuous Improvement group sought ways to refine every stage of the coffee supply chain. They stressed the importance of training Indigenous People’s (IP) representatives in coffee production, enhancing quality across the value chain, and sharing best practices with partners and industry players.
The theme of Coffee Production and Expansion also emerged, with discussions focusing on identifying coffee farmers who provide jobs and encouraging them to join PBCI’s advocacy for social entrepreneurship and inclusive development. Participants shared strategies for engaging with farmers, exchanging best practices, and applying technical approaches to ensure the production of high-quality coffee.
The staff themselves were a focus of the conversation, as one group championed PBCI-CFP Staff Development. They emphasized the importance of listening to staff stories, fostering creativity through art and design, and equipping them with training supported by artificial intelligence. Regular psychosocial assessments and holistic support systems were seen as vital to sustaining their well-being.
Finally, a group dedicated to Relational Harmony explored the significance of building strong, organic relationships across cultural, religious, linguistic, and gender differences. They highlightedu the need to reach out to those often overlooked and to nurture sensitivity and inclusivity in every interaction.
A Collaborative Path Forward
By the end of the meeting, each group joyfully shared their ideas with the plenary, receiving affirmations and thoughtful feedback that further enriched their proposals. What emerged was a vibrant and hopeful strategic vision, celebrating the diversity of perspectives while staying deeply rooted in PBCI’s enduring values of peacebuilding, justice, and reconciliation.
This First Annual General Meeting was more than a simple gathering—it was a powerful testament to the shared wisdom, passion, and purpose of a community committed to creating lasting change. The strategic initiatives crafted during this event symbolize a beacon of hope, paving the way for a smooth and inspired transition of PBCI leadership as Dann and Joji Pantoja prepare to retire as employees of Mennonite Church Canada at the end of 2026.
With these initiatives, we look forward with confidence and gratitude, trusting that the partnership between MCCanada and PBCI will continue to flourish. Together, we are building a legacy of peace and transformation—one that will remain deeply meaningful and truly sustainable for generations to come.
