Rivers of Light

an article by Carolina Felton, Alessia Montero, Gabriel Gonzalez

During recent holidays, as part of a government strategy in Colombia from the Ministry of Defense to demobilize the FARC guerrillas without the implementation of force, the government invited families and friends of the guerrillas to write them a Christmas message in order to bring them home.

click on photo to enlarge

The operation is based on collecting messages and gifts of the loved ones, putting them in plastic spheres with lights. The lights were activated with sensors, causing them to light up as people approach. Members of the army were responsible to distribute them within each area nearby the main centers where the guerillas were concentrated.

This movement shows how one can reach even the most conflictive groups without having to implement any armed or violent strategies. Also, these kind of operations demonstrate how through pacific strategies one can make substantial changes in any conflictive society.

Movements like this can be used as an example for countries like Mexico that are currently submerged in an unstable and violent state that damage peace and tranquility of families.

Click here for a Spanish version of this article)

DISCUSSION

Question(s) related to this article:

"Put down the gun and take up the pen", What are some other examples?

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Rivers of Light
Operación Ríos de Luz

This report was posted on February, 22, 2012.

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