DAVOS CITY, Philippines, April 27, 2006 (IslamOnline.net) – Filipino Muslim youth leaders are meeting on Thursday, April 27, to discuss the ongoing peace process and the role they can play to advance peace and progress in southern Philippines, the local Minda News reported.

"During the consultations, they would try to reach a consensus on what role should we play to help ensure that the political settlement on the offing will, indeed, be truly reflective of the genuine sentiments of the Bangsamoro people in general, and the youth, in particular," said Rahib Kudto, a council member of the Mindanao People’s Caucus (MPC).

The three-day meeting, Bangsamoro Youth Leaders Forum, is organized by the MPC and seen as an opportunity to probe youths' role in shaping the future of Mindanao.

Kudto, also president of the United Youth for Peace and Development (UNYPAD), said participants will discuss their "contribution in building a better future for us all."

The Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) and the Philippine government are expected to thrash out a peace agreement within this year to end decades of conflict in Mindanao, the birth place of Islam in the Philippines.

Kudto said the issue of Mindanao peace must not only be left at the hands of government and MILF negotiators.

"Because the accord that they are to sign is supposed to pave the way for a better Mindanao for the youth of today and the children of tomorrow."

The mineral-rich southern region of Mindanao is home to about 5 million Muslims.

The meeting will feature workshops on the youths' assessment of the peace process, said Atty. Mary Ann Arnado, MPC Secretary-General.

She said they were expecting the youth to decide on what they should do to ensure their active participation in the peace process.

Arnado, who is also deputy executive director of the Initiatives for International Dialogue, added that the forum may initially come up with position papers detailing some of the Mindanao youth's agenda for consideration by the government and MILF peace negotiators.

A series of consultations were earlier conducted by MPC among indigenous peoples in Mindanao.

The more than three decades of intermittent conflict on Mindanao has resulted in the destruction of infrastructure, population displacements and deferred development.

A number of foreign governments have promised millions of dollars in aide for the rehabilitation of Mindanao once the peace agreement is concluded.

The financial assistance will be chipped through the World Bank-administered multi-donor Mindanao Trust Fund (MTF).