Pinay peace advocate wins international peace award


Filipino-Australian Joy Balazo was presented the 2012 World Methodist Peace Award by its Council Secretary Bishop Ivan Abrahams in Sydney, Australia.
 
The World Methodist Council recognized Balazo's peace efforts of more than two decades on February 14 according to a news release from the Department of Foreign Affairs.
 
She has been working with the Uniting Church in Australia and Uniting World, which are organizations that help rebuild peace in conflict-riddled communities.
 
Balazo who is originally from Mindanao returned to the Philippines in 2012 to support peace efforts and livelihood programs for the indigenous Subanen people of Zamboanga.
 
In her pursuit for peace, Balazo has traveled to various countries such as Indonesia, Solomon Islands, Sri Lanka and Myanmar to name a few.
 
She has also united 32 clans in Papua New Guinea ending long-standing tribal wars,  according to anarticle from the World Methodist Council. 
 
Ten years ago, Balazo strengthened the roots of tranquility in the Asia-Pacific by establishing the “Young Ambassadors for Peace,” which promoted peace in eight centers.
 
During this time she also spearheaded the Maluku Ambassadors for Peace movement which helped quell violence in Indonesia between Christians and Muslims where 5,000 lives were lost.
 
First established in 1977, the World Methodist Peace Award is given biannually to individuals or groups that have demonstarted extraordinary acts in pursuing peace.
 
Balazo now ranks among the prestigous recipients of the award including Anwar Sadat (1978), Jimmy Carter (1985), Mikhail Gorbachev (1990), Kofi Annan (1998) and Nelson Mandela (2000). —Andrei Medina/KG, GMA News

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