Co-Creating Peace
How can a global research tool become a localized “bridge” for peace? In this episode of the Kroc Cast, experts Madhav Joshi, Myla Liguoro '10 M.A., and Bishnu Sapkota join host Melinda Davis to discuss the evolution of PAM-Mindanao (PAM-M). The conversation highlights how a framework originally known for its global research has become a “scientific art of accompaniment” in the Bangsamoro peace process, fostering trust through a unique co-creation model between the Philippine government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF). The guests explore how evidence-based monitoring serves as a vital bridge between high-level negotiations and grassroots realities.
Experience the Episode
Presented by Kroc Institute for International Peace Studies
How can a global research tool become a localized “bridge” for peace? In this episode of the Kroc Cast, experts Madhav Joshi, Myla Liguoro ’10 M.A., and Bishnu Sapkota join host Melinda Davis to discuss the evolution of PAM-Mindanao (PAM-M).
The conversation highlights how a framework originally known for its global research has become a “scientific art of accompaniment” in the Bangsamoro peace process, fostering trust through a unique co-creation model between the Philippine government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF). The guests explore how evidence-based monitoring serves as a vital bridge between high-level negotiations and grassroots realities.
This episode was originally published by the Kroc Institute for International Peace Studies on January 20, 2026. To explore the entire library of Kroc Cast podcast episodes and for more information , please visit kroc.nd.edu.
MoreMeet the Speaker: Madhav Joshi
Madhav Joshi is research professor and associate director of the Peace Accords Matrix (PAM) at the University of Notre Dame. He oversees the data coding on the implementation of peace agreements worldwide for the PAM project and leads the research initiatives on peace agreement design, implementation, and post-implementation political and economic developments.
Joshi earned his Ph.D. in comparative politics and research methodology from the University of North Texas in 2010. His research and teaching focus on civil wars, mediation, post-civil war democratization and democratic survival, peace duration and peacebuilding, quality peace, and the Maoist insurgency in Nepal. He has published on these topics in Social Science Research, the British Journal of Political Science, the Journal of Conflict Resolution, the Journal of Peace Research, International Studies Quarterly, Democratization, Global Governance, and many other journals.
Joshi has authored and coauthored over 70 policy briefings to facilitate ongoing negotiations on issues related to peace accord contents and implementation challenges for the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (Philippines), Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Nepal Transition to Peace, the Office of the High Commissioner for Peace (Colombia), the United Nations Development Programme, and many civil society organizations involved in peace processes around the world.
Meet the Speaker: Myla Leguro '10 M.A.
Myla Leguro ’10 M.A. is the Justice, Peacebuilding and Social Cohesion Focal Point for Catholic Relief Services (CRS) in the Philippines, and founder of the Mindanao Peacebuilding Institute.
Her peacebuilding practice is built on a foundation of more than two decades of on-the-ground engagement in Mindanao, the Philippines, designing and implementing strategic peacebuilding efforts. As the Peacebuilding Programme Manager of Catholic Relief Services – Philippines, Myla organised two major peacebuilding training platforms to support the capacity building of grassroots and civil society organizations in Mindanao and beyond. These were the Mindanao Peacebuilding Institute (MPI) in 2000 and the Grassroots Peace Learning Course in 2003.
She is currently the President of the MPI Board of Trustees and continues to serve as one of the core facilitators for the Institute. As a peace advocate, Myla promotes meaningful participation of civil society organizations in Mindanao peace processes as lead convenor of the Mindanao Peaceweavers (a network of peace advocates in the region).
Meet the Speaker: Bishnu Sapkota
Bishnu Sapkota is the Peace Accords Matrix Representative in Asia at the University of Notre Dame. He managed the Nepal Transition to Peace Initiative (NTTPI ) from 2005 to 2013. He is editor of The Costs of War in Nepal (2003) and Nepali Security Sector: An Almanac (2009). He was a visiting fellow at the Kroc Institute for International Peace Studies, University of Notre Dame (2011), and was head of UNDP Nepal’s Conflict Prevention Programme, leading its redesign as the Social Cohesion and Democratic Participation programme (2014–16).An MPhil from the University of Cambridge, he taught at Tribhuvan University and is currently Chief of Party for USAID’s Civil Society: Mutual Accountability Project.