Mr John Gieveson Iglupas1
1Mindanao State University- Iligan Institute of Technology, Iligan City, Philippines
Biography:
John Gieveson Iglupas is the designated Head of the Policy Centre for Governance, Public Leadership, and Management at the MSU-IIT Institute for Policy Innovation and Leadership (IPIL). He is also an Assistant Professor in the Department of Political Science at MSU-IIT, where he teaches courses such as Politics and Governance, Public Administration, and Peace Education, among others. He obtained his bachelor’s degree in political science and a Master of Public Administration, majoring in Organization and Management, from Mindanao State University- Iligan Institute of Technology. His research interests include leadership studies, youth engagement, youth, arts, and peacebuilding,
Abstract:
This paper investigates how art-based approaches empower young people to become active peacebuilders, providing them with platforms to express their experiences, foster dialogue, and challenge narratives of violence and division. In regions like Mindanao, where ethnic and religious tensions have led to decades of unrest, youth have emerged as key agents of change, leveraging the arts, specifically music, dance, and other forms of creative expression, as tools for reconciliation and healing. Drawing from the case of three Youth-Led Organizations, this paper explores the intersection of youth, arts, and peacebuilding in the context of the Southern Philippines, focusing primarily on the role of creative expression in promoting peace among conflict-affected communities. It also examines the transformative potential of the arts in shifting perceptions, building empathy, and creating a shared sense of identity among diverse groups. The study employs qualitative methods, including interviews with youth participants, community leaders, and artists and field observations of arts-based peacebuilding projects. Preliminary findings suggest that arts offer a powerful yet underutilized avenue for peacebuilding and conflict transformation. Moreover, integrating arts into peacebuilding initiatives also shows potential in enhancing the social and emotional skills of youth, empowering them to take active roles in community-led peace efforts. Ultimately, this study underscores the importance of supporting youth engagement in creative peacebuilding efforts and emphasizes the need for integrating arts into broader peacebuilding frameworks in conflict-affected areas like the Southern Philippines.