The Annual Peacebuilding Training is a three-week training organized and conducted once every year by MPI. It is part of the Institute’s Education and Training Program that aims to capacitate individuals and their institutions in the field of peacebuilding that began in the year 2000. The training offers different courses that explore major themes and cutting-edge debates, including the latest and most pressing issues on matters of peace, justice, and conflict.

In response to the two-year delay in conducting face-to-face trainings due to the COVID-19 pandemic, MPI has decided to hold a modified, two-week training with three courses per week in 2022.

You will be provided with new knowledge and a broader understanding of peacebuilding and conflict transformation, and you will acquire and develop the skills and capacities needed to be more effective in your peacebuilding work. Most importantly, you will become part of a growing network of peacebuilders around the world. You will have the opportunity to be immersed in an environment of diversity—diversity of peoples, histories, cultures, ideas, beliefs and principles—where all are celebrated, shared and affirmed. Many participants ascribe equal value to the bonding, friendships, and solidarity that are created during the training.

You might also want to read our 2019 Annual Peacebuilding Training Report for more insights about the training and/or read our Testimonials.

The MPI 2022 Annual Peacebuilding Training will be held from October 10 – 21, 2022, at Mergrande Ocean Resort, located at Bago Aplaya, Talomo District, Davao City, Philippines.

In 2022, MPI will offer six courses classified into two categories: Foundation and Thematic. Three Foundation Courses will be offered concurrently in Week 1, and three Thematic Courses will be offered concurrently in Week 2.

Participants may opt to enroll for just one week or two weeks. For the complete list and a short description of the courses, please go to this link or download the 2022 Annual Peacebuilding Training Information Packet.

There will be 10 distinguished and high-caliber facilitators coming from Asia-Pacific and North America who will teach the courses in 2022. They are as follows:

1. Michael Frank A. Alar (Philippines)
2. Vanessa Bible (Australia)
3. Maria Ida Giguiento (Philippines)
4. Datu Beds Kali (Philippines)
5. Wendy Kroeker (Canada)
6. Gabrielle Aziza Sagaral (Philippines)
7. Daniel Fritz Silvallana (Philippines)
8. Miriam L. Suacito (Philippines)
9. Florina Xavier (India)
10. Gladston Xavier (India)

Usually, each course is facilitated by two facilitators. For more details about the facilitators, download their profiles here.

We do not accept applications/letters of interest for facilitation of our courses. Facilitating at MPI’s Annual Training is by invitation only.

Each course is limited to 25 participants on a “first-come, first-served” basis. So, it is important that you select alternate courses in case your first choice is not available.

The training is open to all peacebuilders and peace advocates from any country and from all walks of life who are interested to grow and be empowered in their work for peace. Any individual who feels passionately about peace is welcome to apply. For the complete admission criteria, please see the general information here or download the 2022 Annual Peacebuilding Training Information Packet.

The answer is no to both questions. Participants may opt to enroll for just one week or for two weeks. Each week, MPI offers three courses that are simultaneously conducted. Therefore, you will only be able to attend one course per week. However, please take note that courses in Week 2 have prerequisites. You will have to satisfy these prerequisites to be considered.

No, you will have to pay to participate in the training. The course fees vary depending on your organization, if you are based outside or in the Philippines, and if you opt to live-in or live-out during the training. Live-in means you will stay at the venue for the duration of the training. Live-out means you will find your own accommodations and commute to the venue. Please see below:

The course fees only include the following:

Participants or their sponsoring organization will have to cover all travel expenses (international and domestic airfares, local transportation, visa fee, etc.) and make the necessary travel arrangements.

For participants enrolled for two weeks: MPI will refund 100% of the tuition fee if cancellation of application is made three weeks prior to the training schedule (on or before September 19, 2022); a 75% refund, if cancellation is made two weeks (on or before September 26, 2022) before the training; and a 50% refund if participants withdraw a week (on or before October 3, 2022) before the training schedule.

For participants enrolled for one week only: MPI will refund 100% of the tuition fee if cancellation of application is made three weeks prior to the start of the course; a 75% refund, if cancellation is made two weeks before the course; and a 50% refund for cancellation made a week before the course begins.

If an international participant must withdraw because their visa was denied, MPI will provide a 100% refund, less a 10% non-refundable processing fee, provided this is done a week before the start of class.

MPI reserves the right to withhold a 10% non-refundable processing fee for each cancellation. No refund will be issued for cancellation made less than a week prior to the start of the course/training schedule.

The deadline for submission of applications is September 18, 2022. All requirements should be uploaded by September 23, 2022. Applications not completed after the latter date will be automatically cancelled.

For the 2022 Annual Peacebuilding Training, MPI will not be offering scholarships.

Most foreign nationals "who are traveling to the Philippines for business and tourism purposes are allowed to enter the Philippines without visas for a stay not exceeding thirty (30) days, provided they hold valid tickets for their return journey to port of origin or next port of destination and their passports are valid for a period of at least six (6) months beyond the contemplated period of stay.” Please see https://www.dfa.gov.ph/list-of-countries-for-21-day-visa to determine if your country is listed as one whose nationals are allowed to enter the Philippines without a visa for a period of 30 days. Those holding Hong Kong or Macau passports should see the bottom of that page.

If your country is not listed, please see the general guidelines and requirements here: https://www.dfa.gov.ph/guidelines-requirements. However, we strongly urge you to visit or contact the nearest Philippine consulate/embassy that is designated to issue a visa to nationals from your country for their specific requirements since these vary widely and, in some countries, are very strict. You may also require documents from MPI that will be provided to you. You should begin this process as soon as possible.

MPI highly encourages everyone to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 prior to the start of the training. Please contact your airline or travel agent for the latest information on entry requirements to the Philippines regarding vaccination, as well as your country or locality’s minimum health requirements. All incoming travelers to the Philippines are advised to use the One Health Pass (OHP) registration system. (https://www.onehealthpass.com.ph). Please visit their website for more information and to register.

We will not require proof of vaccination as part of the application process or upon entry to the training venue.

No. The Philippine Peso (₱ or PhP) is the official currency for all transactions within the country. However, there are money exchange services at the airport and in many places in Davao City (banks, shopping malls, shops). Be sure to have ready cash (in Philippine Pesos) to pay for local transportation and for your other needs and expenses.

You may check the daily peso-dollar exchange rates at http://www.bsp.gov.ph. Please note that exchange rates change frequently, and rates quoted on the Central Bank of the Philippines website may not reflect the rate you will get at an exchange service.

If you chose to live-out, you have to make the necessary arrangements yourself. However, we can provide a list of hotels and contact details upon request.

For participants arriving at Francisco Bangoy International Airport in Davao City, MPI will provide an airport pick-up. This will be shared with you once your application is accepted. If you are unable to make any of the pick-up schedules, please plan to take a taxi from the airport to the venue. You will have to shoulder this expense. A one-way trip rate should not exceed PhP600.

Upon exiting the terminal, cross the airport road and go up the steps/ramp to the taxi stand where taxis line up for passengers. It will be much more expensive if someone approaches you to offer you a ride-service.

For participants within Davao City or Mindanao and those who want to make use of local transportation, you may take the jeepneys bound for Toril/Mulig.

1. Take a Toril/Mulig bound jeepney from downtown Davao City (coming from Toril, this jeepney passes by S&R on MacArthur Highway, JS Gaisano/Ilustre St., Aldevinco/Roxas Blvd., and SM-Ecoland); instruct the driver to drop you off at the crossing going to Mergrande Ocean Resort. One-way fare is PhP35 for one person.
2. From the crossing, take a sidecar/tricycle and tell the driver to take you to Mergrande Ocean Resort. Be sure that you ask for the price before you get in the tricycle. Going-rate should not exceed PhP40.