- UK and UNDP back academic exchanges between Indonesian universities and MSU-Maguindanao to advance the Women, Peace and Security (WPS) agenda in Southeast Asia.
- MSU-Maguindanao signed MOUs with three Indonesian universities to collaborate on gender education, research, and peacebuilding.
- The initiative builds on the success of Asia’s first WPS Diploma Course and supports joint efforts on issues like violent extremism and climate insecurity.
In collaboration with the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) and through its Indo-Pacific Governance Fund, the United Kingdom (UK) is funding academic exchanges between Indonesian universities and Mindanao State University (MSU)-Maguindanao to promote the Women, Peace and Security (WPS) agenda in Southeast Asia.
A Philippine delegation representing MSU - Maguindanao, Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation and Unity - Centre for Excellence on WPS, Philippine Centre for Islam and Democracy (PCID), Bangsamoro Women Commission, Ministry of Public Order and Safety, and the Development Academy of the Bangsamoro attended a four-day international learning exchange in Yogyakarta. The program included panel discussions and interactive activities that facilitated regional exchange and co-designed WPS strategies from the Philippine and Indonesian experiences.
MSU-Maguindanao Chancellor Dr. Bai Hejira Nefertiti Limbona averred, "These learning exchanges ignite the curiosity that fuels relevant research and action just what we need to not only mainstream the WPS agenda, but to effectively transform the difficult circumstances of our women, communities and families".
The exchange was ended with the signing of Memoranda of Understanding by MSU-Maguindanao and three Indonesian universities: Gadjah Mada University, Muhammadiyah University of Yogyakarta and Ahmad Dahlan University. The MOU is intended to further cooperation on gender education, research, and community service.
Universitas Gadjah Mada's Prof. Dr. Wening Udasmoro said, "The intention of this MOU is to create a partnership between our universities on the basis of mutual equality and reciprocal benefit. We share many similarities in diversity and there are a number of areas where we can collaborate".
This project follows up on the success of MSU – Maguindanao Diploma Course on WPS, the pioneer course in Asia. This was established in 2024 with the facilitation of the British Embassy Manila, UNDP and PCID.
The partnerships will support the crafting of new modules for teaching, joint research, and regional coordination of common peace and gender issues, such as violent extremism and climate insecurity.
British Embassy Manila's Nazra Abdi highlighted the UK's pledge to advocate for trailblazing efforts for promoting the WPS agenda. She said, "The UK acknowledges the significant role of women in peacebuilding and this initiative reflects our continued commitment to institutionalizing WPS in Southeast Asia's governance, civil society, and education.
While Southeast Asia gets set to commemorate the 25th anniversary of UN Security Council Resolution 1325 and the Philippines ahead of its ASEAN Chairpersonship in 2026, the program highlights the UK's sustained commitment to gender-responsive peacebuilding in the region.
