The report of this workshop (including concluding statement and participant list) is
available at www.asiapacificforum.net/training/workshops/idp/report.doc
2.4. Philippines First National Multi-Stakeholders’ Forum on Internally Displaced
Persons
On the 9th and 10th December 2005 the APF, Brookings-Bern Project and the
Commission on Human Rights for the Philippines (CHRP) hosted the First National
Multi-Stakeholders’ Forum on Internally Displaced Persons in Manila, the Philippines.
The Special Representative of the Secretary General on IDPs, Dr Walter Kälin, the
Deputy Director of the APF, Ms Pip Dargan, the Commissioners and staff of the CHRP
and representatives of relevant domestic NGOs, government agencies and IDPs were the
main participants. A specific focus of the national forum was the promotion of draft
national legislation on IDPs for the Philippines.
The national forum was the culmination of seven regional consultations and workshops
conducted by the CHRP and BALAY in Lianga, Siruigao del Sur, Cebu City, Baguio
City, Batangas City, Bacacay, Albay, Zamboanga City, Cotabato City and Sablayan,
Mindoro Occidental. The objectives of the forum included:
(i)
(ii)
(iii)
(iv)
(v)
strengthening support amongst legislators and duty-holders on the draft legislation
on internal displacement;
generating public awareness and support from the public and all sectors to protect
and promote the rights of internally displaced persons;
promoting and encouraging the adoption of the Guiding Principles on Internal
Displacement as a framework and standard in addressing internal displacement in
the Philippines;
drafting an advocacy agenda and corresponding plan of action for internally
displaced persons; and
generating a multi-stakeholder Declaration of Commitment to uphold the rights of
internally displaced persons.
The National Forum’s Concluding Statement and Plan of Action is available at:
www.asiapacificforum.net/training/idp/brookingsbern/capacitybuilding/philippines/index.htm
The CHR also agreed to publish a journal dedicated to IDP issues in the Philippines with
funding provided to it through the APF/Brookings-Bern Project. At the time of writing
of this report the CHR had not yet published this journal. The CHR will be submitting its
report on the National Forum to the APF in April 2006.
7