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

The MPI 2025 Annual Peacebuilding Training will consist of eight new courses: two Foundation Courses in Week 1 and six Thematic or advanced courses in Weeks 1 and 2. This year, MPI welcomes both veteran and new facilitators from Asia-Pacific, Europe, and North America to join this year’s training, teaming up with four new-to-MPI facilitators.

Through this training, you will gain new knowledge and a deeper understanding of peacebuilding and conflict transformation through various context exchanges. Moreover, you will acquire and refine essential skills and capacities to enhance effectiveness in your peacebuilding work. Most importantly, you will become a part of the MPI's growing network of peacebuilders around the globe. The training offers a unique opportunity to immerse oneself in an environment that celebrates diversity and encourages the exchange of diverse histories, cultures, ideas, beliefs, and principles. Many participants value the incomparable bonds, friendships, and sense of community formed during this transformative experience.

You might also want to read our 2024 Annual Peacebuilding Training Report for more insights about the training and/or read our Testimonials.

The 2025 Annual Peacebuilding Training will be held from May 19 to 30, 2025, at Mergrande Ocean Resort, located at Bago Aplaya, Talomo District, Davao City, Philippines.

In 2025, MPI will offer eight new courses classified into two categories: Foundation and Thematic. In Week 1, two Foundation Courses and two Thematic courses will be offered, while four Thematic courses will be conducted in Week 2. All courses offered each week will run concurrently.

Participants may opt to enroll for just one or two weeks. For the complete list and a short description of the courses, please go here or download the MPI 2025 Full Information Packet.

There will be 12 distinguished and high-caliber facilitators coming from Asia-Pacific, Europe, and North America who will teach the courses in 2025. They are as follows:

1. Michael Frank A. Alar (Philippines)
2. Marides Virola-Gardiola (Philippines)
3. Al B. Fuertes (USA)
4. Rhodora Gail Tan-Ilagan (Philippines)
5. Maria Ida Giguiento (Philippines)
6. Myla Leguro (Philippines)
7. Gimaidee Ann C. Moya (Philippines)
8. Jonathan E. Rudy (USA)
9. Jeremy Simons (New Zealand)
10. Oliver Wiechmann (Germany)
11. May Che Capili (Philippines)

Usually, each course is facilitated by two facilitators. For more details about the facilitators, see the individual course details or download the MPI 2025 Full Information Packet.

Each course is limited to 25 participants on a “first-come, first-served” basis. So, you must 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 in growing and being 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 MPI 2025 Full Information Packet.

The answer is NO to both questions. Participants may opt to enroll for just one week, or for two weeks, or three weeks. Each week, MPI offers courses that are conducted simultaneously. Therefore, you will only be able to attend one course per week. Please take note that courses in Weeks 1 and 2 might have prerequisites. You will have to satisfy these prerequisites to be considered. 

The deadline for receipt of applications with a discounted course fee is March 21, 2025. The deadline for receipt of applications with a regular course fee is April 21, 2025. All requirements should be uploaded and submitted by April 25, 2025. Applications not completed by April 25, 2025, will be automatically canceled.

Registration will be held between 3:00 PM – 6:00 PM on May 18 (Week 1) and May 25 (Week 2) at the training venue in Davao City. Expected arrival in Davao City should be by 2:00 PM on Sunday, May 18 (Week 1), and May 25 (Week 2) on the day of registration. Please inform the MPI staff if you will be arriving early and need assistance with your board and lodging arrangements.  Expenses for early arrivals or late departures will be the responsibility of the participant.

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:

Course Fees

*A discount of 5% will be applied to applicants who submit their applications and send a 50% down payment on or before March 21, 2025.

The course fees include the following:

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

Please wait for the billing statement that will be sent to you (or your sponsoring organization) along with your acceptance letter after receipt and review of your application before you send your payment. You may select either one of the two options:

Option One: Full payment of the course fee on or before April 21, 2025, through a bank transfer, PayPal (credit card, debit card, or PayPal account), or directly in cash at MPI’s office. This will reserve and confirm your slot in the course(s) you have selected.

Option Two: Non-refundable down payment of 50% of the one-week course fee by April 21, 2025, through a bank transfer with the remaining balance paid on or before the day of registration (May 18 for Week 1, May 25 for Week 2). This will reserve your slot in the training but not the course(s) selected until full payment is received. If the course you chose is already filled by the time you make full payment, you may be enrolled in a different course that has available slots.

Please transfer your payment to the following bank or online accounts:

Once payment has been transferred, please scan a copy of the transaction/deposit slip or your receipt of payment from PayPal and email it to apply@mpiasia.net. This will verify your payment and will serve as the basis for the issuance of an official receipt. Bank charges for electronic payments should be shouldered by the applicant.

For participants enrolled for two weeks: MPI will refund 100% of the tuition fee if cancellation of application is made five weeks prior to the training schedule (on or before April 14, 2025); a 75% refund if cancellation is made four weeks before the training schedule (on or before April 21, 2025); and a 50% refund if participants withdraw three weeks before the training schedule (on or before April 28, 2025).

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

If an international participant must withdraw because their visa was denied, MPI will provide a 100% refund, less a 15% non-refundable processing fee, provided this is done three weeks before the start of class.

MPI reserves the right to withhold a 15% non-refundable processing fee for each cancellation. No refund will be issued for cancellations made two weeks before the start of the course/training schedule.

For the 2025 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 the port of origin or next port of destination and their passports are valid for 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 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 or embassy 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.

As of 14 August 2023, all travelers to the Philippines must register with etravel.gov.ph.

MPI highly encourages everyone to be fully vaccinated (two doses of a vaccine plus at least one booster shot) 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 fill out the eTravel registration form within 72 hours prior to departure from your country of origin. Please visit https://etravel.gov.ph to register. See their Frequently Asked Questions for more information.

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

Given the changing nature of the SARS-CoV-2 virus, this advice may change. MPI will attempt to inform accepted participants of any significant developments prior to the training.

No. The Philippine Peso (₱ or PhP) is the official currency for all transactions within the country. 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. The pick-up schedules will be shared with you once your application is accepted. If you cannot make it in any of the pick-up schedules, take a taxi or book a Grab taxi/car from the airport to the venue. You will shoulder this expense at a one-way trip rate that 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., Roxas Blvd., and SM-Ecoland); instruct the driver to drop you off at the crossing going to Mergrande Ocean Resort. The one-way fare will not be more than PhP50 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 on the tricycle. The going rate should not exceed PhP45.