Merly Barlaan: Peace begins with me
Reality is how things are. Idealism is how things should be. Sometimes a disconnect occurs when even the most iron-clad master plan slows down or fails. For Merly Barlaan, it is all about connecting the dots between reality and idealism.
As Vice President of the Women's Federation for World Peace International and Director of UN Relations in New York, Merly has worked tirelessly to uplift women, youth and families through community development, not only in the halls where policy is written, but on the ground, pro-bono, learning first-hand the obstacles to implementation.
She grew up the seventh of nine siblings in Bohol, in a loving family firmly rooted in Catholic faith; by seven she had read the Bible front to back and assumed the whole world was Catholic. College exposed her to a multi-cultural, multi-faith reality. “I was shocked but curious and interested to explore!”
At 21, a service project took her to 25 US states in 15 months. “I was very naïve, having grown up sheltered. I realised the world had so many problems,” she recalls of witnessing discrimination and racism, an experience that fuelled her desire for a more peaceful world.
I wanted to see countries living together like one big family, like a global village. We shouldn't be divided by creed and ideology, but live based on what we have in common: love, family, sisterhood, brotherhood.
After 15 years with the UN and NGOs, she saw a huge gap between UN policy and implementation on the ground. “When I went to my village, and to communities around the world, that dream of the United Nations was not being felt.”
Back to her roots
“Out of my frustration I gave up my house and the comfort of a First World country, resigned from my job, and told my boss I wanted to go back to the Philippines.” With her husband's support she took her four children back to the village where she was born, and spent ten years building and documenting a community development framework, translating the macro-level agenda down to the provincial and local level.
It was hard, risky and exhausting; her children saw her cry often as she faced bureaucracy, hesitation and fear of change. But by year four she began to win cooperation. “It was the most fulfilling thing I ever did. If you want something precious, you have to pay the price.” Living in the community taught her to design programmes that are more engaging and relatable, in a language recipients understand.
She believes a bridge must be built to connect macro plans to the micro level, investing in local leaders and youth with the knowledge, skills and tools to co-own the UN's Sustainable Development Goals. With the 2030 targets lagging, she argues that member states must go beyond lip service and invest politically and financially.
Family and community support
Merly is clear she couldn't live her purpose without the support of her husband Mar and their four children, now aged 13–20, who understand her travel commitments. “I still feel guilty about being an absentee mother sometimes, so I wake early to prepare breakfast and packed lunches. I want my children to feel my love.” Their years in the Philippines shaped them, too, they are public-minded and natural in the service space.
Introduced to Women of the World through a fellow Filipina she met at the UN Commission on the Status of Women, Merly received a scholarship place on the coaching programme. “I received coaching about how to pitch a project professionally, but also in a way that was personal and spiritual, highlighting the inner potential of women, their doubts and fears, and their ability to tap into their greatness.”
“I want to see a world with no wars, no resentment, no anger,” she continues to dream. “Every child born is destined for greatness, and we need to nurture them. Young women will be our peace ambassadors who lead us into a peaceful future.” Her life's philosophy: “Live by example. Peace begins with me.”
