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CAFOD is working towards peacebuilding and reconciliation in Colombia by supporting projects, increasing visibility of the crisis, and advocating at an international level. The organization's focus is on addressing the root causes of the conflict and providing protection for human rights defenders.
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Colombia 30% ofthepopulationlive in poverty South America Suramérica - Colombia
Colombia has the highest number of displaced people in the world. 7.7 million people – more than in Syria
Colombia’s internal conflict has lasted for more than fifty years
Peace Negotiations with the FARC • Peace agreement signed in November 2016. • June 2017, FARC completed demobilisation process formally ending its existence as an armed group. • Peace Agreement: • Land reform • Political participation • Crop substitution • Justice, Truth and Reparation • UK has played an important role in Colombia’s peace process
“However difficult the road to peace and understanding, we must put more effort into recognising one other, healing wounds, building bridges, extending ties and mutual support” Pope Francis
Why do we work on peacebuilding? • Our work can contribute to making a real difference (life & death) • Unique window of opportunity • Extraordinary role of the Church in the peace process • Seeking a structural change, breaking the conflict spiral • Partners are asking us to work on peacebuilding • To flourish, peace is needed
What is CAFOD doing to support the peace process in Colombia? • Asking supporters to pray for peace • Supporting partners with projects to build peace like Hands On Magdalena Medio. • Supporting projects that seek to address the root causes of the conflict and that respond to humanitarian needs. • Increasing visibility of the humanitarian and human rights crisis and provide protection for human rights defenders. • Advocacy at international level • Working with other Caritas Agencies
Peace Building programme • 3 year programme with our partner PDP • Co-funded by the European Union • Over 3 years, we aim to reach 2,561 students, 877 parents and around 5,000 people in total. • Working in 34 secondary schools, 4 local community groups
Aim: We want to contribute to peacebuilding and reconciliation at an individual and collective level in 9 municipalities in the Magdalena Medio region affected by the armed conflict.
Camilo and Blanca – local staff “These small changes you make in your own life, that's where peace starts from. Then this can expand and become bigger. You cannot say this project will bring peace to Colombia but you can talk about this small area, the immediate vicinity of your life, and show how it is possible to build peace here.” Blanca “Our circumstances might not be the best, but with your support, we’ll see communities transform. You’ll see young people being given the opportunity to change their lives, change their families and change their whole community.” Camilo
Fernando – a project participant “I think we have a role to play to promote peace. Along with my friends and other young people that surround me, I can bring a message of peace to everyone I meet. “ “I imagine that one day, a soldier who is shooting will remember my message and put down their weapon and stop shooting. “
Nieles, leader of Women’s network “We need to empower women and fight for peace not with weapons, but by shooting knowledge and training and learning.”
Eligio Gomez Peinado, Head teacher “If we can ingrain these values into the minds of our students while they are still young, if we do our bit as a school and the family do their bit too, then our young people will become part of a society that will try to transform our country”
Schools (teachers/ parents/ students) • Implement pedagogic and cultural initiatives for peace. • Workshops on: • Citizenship • Peacebuilding • Social and environmental issues • Meetings with parents • Technical assistance for teachers on strategies • for the school curriculum e.g. how to resolve conflict, • promote gender equality and promote peace. • Students create their own peace initiatives • Community Level • 4 Civil Society organisations (peer to peer learning) • Pedagogic and cultural peace initiatives • Peace laboratory focusing on women/young people. Initiatives will come from the community e.g. theatre, dance, mural painting. Political/Institutional Level - Local committees in charge of peacebuilding are active and achieve what they were created for. -Alliance with Ministry of Education, pedagogic and cultural initiatives to feed into the national curriculum.
Peacebuilding Exchanges What is memory?
What does peace mean to you?How can you build peace in your community and school?
How do you measure success? • Attitude Change: Interviewed 2,000 young people, teachers, members of local organisations about their perceptions of conflict and peace. Will measure again in year 2&3. - Number of peace initiatives coming from the community and levels of participation. E.g. peace laboratories.
Questions Thank you
