DAVAO CITY- The Holy Cross of Davao College through its Center for Culture and Arts organized and held the First Cultural Education Symposium on January 25.

The symposium aims to advocate cultural awareness through cultural education and heritage programs.

“Simple lang talaga ang aim, to make this an opportunity for the community and other groups such as the institution, artists that we can establish harmonious relationship,” says Maree Contaoi, head of the HCDC’s Center for Culture and Arts.

She said that through the symposium stakeholders will realize that there is a need to learn more about the communities.

The event was attended by cultural workers and leaders from the Lumad and Muslim communities in Davao Region, particularly represented were the 11 ethno-linguistic groups of Davao City.

Workshops and presentations of various cultural aspects of the indigenous groups were conducted.

“One of the things we want to establish since we are in the academic institutions is, we want to know the ethics, the proper academic process in case we would conduct academic researches, immersions, publish books,” Contaoi said.

The knowledge she said will strengthen the academic institutions output that will contribute to the communities for their school of living traditions.

Also participating in the event were government officials led by Davao City Councilors Al Ryan Alejandre and Pilar Braga.

Who both cited the importance of cultural awareness and cultural education in preserving the city’s rich heritage.

“I strongly believe that our creativity and resilience are products of our cultural education that is still a key in our survival as a city and a people,” Braga said.

“The partnership of the government and private sector including schools is very important,” Councilor Alejandre said during his speech at the event.

Meanwhile Vice-President Sara Duterte recognized the importance of the symposium in keeping culture alive including traditions and heritage among the youth.

“Recognizing culture as a baseline for human connection, we must continue to nurture our links with our heritage as a key to keeping alive and thriving amidst global inter-cultural interfacing and influences that are now at our tips through the internet and social media,” The Vice-President said in her message.  (PIA/RG Alama)