OneWorld.net (U.S.)

Nominated by: Hji. Eufremio N. Canaria, Tiffany B. and two anonymous OneWorlders (on the OneWorld blog)

As head of the Asia America Initiative (AAI), a OneWorld partner that works to build peace and security through community development, Al Santoli has opened schools, revitalized healthcare systems, and acted as a peace broker for some of the most intense conflicts in Southeast Asia.

© Asia America InitiativeIn April's "Preventing Genocide" edition of Perspectives, Santoli described to OneWorlders how he helped head off warfare on the island province of Sulu after U.S. forces came "hunting for terrorists" in the autonomous Filipino region late in 2005.

But Santoli's peace-building efforts do not end with conflict negotiation. Over the four years he spent in the region, Santoli's relationships with local leaders, built from a foundation of mutual respect, have helped revitalize the once war-torn community.

In January Santoli visited the region to further peace relations with guerilla leaders through the expansion of education programs and the creation of cooperatives for local fisherman and farmers.

© Asia America InitiativeThen, in March, AAI reported that 26,000 children were enrolled in their "Model of Excellence" public schools and that the graduation rate had doubled to 70 percent, helping to fill the desperate need for educational opportunities that community leaders had described to Santoli when he first arrived in 2002.

Furthermore, reports Santoli, the schools have brought together children from various clans and families, a motivation for non-violence in the community, and evidence of the Tausug people's determination to continue the peace efforts wrought by Santoli and AAI.

Quotes from OneWorlders nominating Santoli:

• "His success, through his dedication in the efforts for peace and the development of the Asia America Initiative, has inspired many people who once thought it was not possible to create peaceful solutions and economic development in an area known for its poverty, violence and almost non-existent healthcare. [He] created a future for these people who once felt abandoned by the rest of the world. I applaud Al Santoli and feel hopeful for our own future due to his success against many odds!"
• "The development for Peace program is one of the few true successes in the international struggle to deter terrorism....Mr Santoli has put his own life on the line to prove that there is a common human bond that can unite people of different backgrounds, languages and religions when they work together to address basic human needs."
• "When I think of all the selfless people in the world, Al Santoli is at the top of my list. Al Santoli single handedly started the Asia America Initiative with only a prayer and a few personal pennies. Al's mission was to deliver hope, peace and sustenance to an area that was war-torn and physically and emotionally battered by the corruption of its enemies. Al faced an uphill battle. He was virtually penniless; he put his career, family and life on hold to take on a mission that, to most, would have seemed hopeless. Al had support from his friends and loved ones and perhaps this along with his personal drive is what motivates him to continue his mission."

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