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Escuelas de Paz (Colombia): International Peace Day
an article by Charlotte van der Tak
Conflict is a reality in different parts of life. It
can occur between different individuals, groups,
communities, companies, and governments.
click on photo to enlarge
Sometimes it seems as if though the consolidation of
peace has become slow and complex. However even in
the midst of conflict humans are able to build or
strengthen social relations which exclude the use of
violence and promote peaceful behaviour.
In this regard Escuelas de Paz has organised an
event aimed at “PROVENTION”. PROVENTION can be
defined as the action of "providing people and
groups with the skills they need to deal with
conflict”. Provention differs from conflict
prevention in the sense that the goal is not to
avoid conflict but to learn how to cope with it.
This event was organised for 300 students of La
Merced school of Mosquera (a town just outside of
Bogota) to commemorate the International Day of
Peace.
The event started with a plenary presentation
about the concept of conflict and Provention. To
allow the students to really understand the
concept of Provention, the plenary session
included a participatory activity. The second part
of the event consisted of "My Banner for Peace".
In this activity the students were asked to design
a banner that represents the concept of peace and
apply the concepts learned on Provention. The
facilitators from Fundacion Escuelas de Paz
assisted the students in creating their banner,
answering questions on the topic and stimulating
them to be creative. Simultaneously each of the
students was given a lollypop, which included a
saying about peace, such as “If we do have not
peace within ourselves, it is in vain to seek it
from outward sources.” François De La
Rochefoucauld (1613 - 1680) Writer, aristocrat and
French soldier. To conclude the activity we asked
5 students to present their banner in front of the
audience and explain what they felt during the
activity.
The afternoon was reserved for an information
session about the election of the Municipal Youth
Council of Mosquera. The students were informed
about their right to vote and the ability to stand
as a candidate. Furthermore the importance of a
Cultural of Peace in relation to democratic
participation and election processes was stressed.
The election process is led by the Mosquera Youth
group; Mosquera Joven. Escuelas de Paz is
functioning as an advisory body to this youth
group.
(Click here for a Spanish version of this article)
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DISCUSSION
Question(s) related to this article:
How are you celebrating Peace Day?,
* * * * *
Latest reader comment:
It is difficult to find extensive listings of the many events celebrating the International Day of Peace around the world. An exception is the United Religions Initiative which lists events for the IDP 2014 by their affiliates in Kenya, Uganda, Ghana, Nigeria, Nepal, Sri Lanka, India, Pakistan, Bulgaria, Russia, Brazil, Argentina, Chile, United States and the Philippines.
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