Category Archives: Latin America

Mexico: UdeC holds international discussion on the culture of peace and human rights

… EDUCATION FOR PEACE …

An article from El Comentario (translation by CPNN)

This weekend an international discussion was held on “Freedoms, culture of peace and human rights in education”, organized by the High School 32 of the University of Colima, located in Suchitlán. The aim was to have an interactive meeting space where activists and social leaders from Mexico, Colombia and Guatemala could share their experiences and proposals with students from the school.


Opening the event, Rector Christian Jorge Torres Ortiz Zermeño highlighted that this type of initiative as “an example of the importance of educational institutions in the implementation and promotion of the culture of peace”; In this sense, he added, the UdeC itself has promoted different actions, such as the inclusion of the subject in study plans, a humanistic educational model aimed at comprehensive training, as well as efforts to offer quality education.

However, he pointed out, the high interaction that occurs in university spaces, as well as the diversity and dynamics of the student population, “require permanent and coordinated activities to achieve the long-awaited culture of peace.”

This, he stressed, “is not an simple task; Therefore, together with participation in national programs such as ANUIES and the design of institutional strategies for the promotion of values ​​that privilege respect, freedom and justice, it is essential to learn about other experiences and to reflect and discuss aspects that allow us generate new projects aimed at guaranteeing peace, human rights, inclusion and substantive equality.

Finally, he highlighted that universities are called to be generators of these spaces. In this sense, he thanked the speakers for their willingness to contribute to enriching the participants’ knowledge; “I wish the organizers and speakers success and a profitable learning for the university students, which we will surely see materialized in actions in favor of tolerance and the eradication of violence.”

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(Click here for the original article in Spanish)

Questions for this article:

How do we promote a human rights, peace based education?

Is there progress towards a culture of peace in Mexico?

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The president of University Volunteering, Blanca Liliana Díaz Vázquez, said that talking about a culture of peace “means placing special emphasis on values, principles, attitudes and positive behaviors that reflect respect for the dignity of all and all” , since this concept, she emphasized, “puts human rights at the center, the rejection of violence in all its forms and modalities, promotes substantive equality and inclusion, and incorporates principles such as freedom, justice, solidarity and tolerance ”.

She added that “peace allows understanding between peoples and groups of people.” For this reason, she pointed out, it is of great importance to speak and reflect on the culture of peace in university spaces, “since we are convinced that educational institutions are the propitious place for the analysis and promotion of projects aimed at promoting changes in the way of relate ”.

In this sense, she reported that within Volunteering, and hand in hand with the University Family Development Center (CEDEFU), “we work to foster and promote the culture of peace as an instrument that contributes to the education of those who are trained in our highest house of studies, through intervention programs where this perspective is linked to volunteer work.

We also promote the participation of university youth in solving problems in their environment, we bet on awareness and training as transformative mechanisms and we promote leadership and human development from a transversal and holistic perspective ”.

Finally, Díaz Vázquez recognized and congratulated Baccalaureate 32 for the relevance of this discussion, because through specific actions, those who study at said campus can access this training; “I am convinced that this activity will allow a greater understanding of the meaning of peace for the community of this school, but also the possibility of replicating in the institution those actions and proposals that our renowned panelists will share with the university community.”

During his speech, the director of Bachillerato 32, Cirilo Topete Alcaraz defined the culture of peace “as an element that allows the construction of new routes for the sustainable development of peoples and is promoted through training actions that put human rights, prevention of violence, substantive equality between men and women and inclusion. For this, I thank our Rector Christian Torres Ortiz for his support to promote these actions. They strengthen the training of all our students, as well as the teaching, administrative, secretarial and general services staff ”.

In the framework of this Conversation, recognized activists and promoters of the culture of peace participated, such as Andrea Palomo from Switzerland, Carolina Letona from Guatemala, Johan Jaramillo from Colombia, Lucero Padilla from Oaxaca, Jesús Monjarás from San Luis Potosí, Esther Pérez de Hidalgo and Edder Reynaga from the University of Colim

EDUCATION FOR PEACE, Latin America

Latin America and the Caribbean: International Day of Peace

FREE FLOW OF INFORMATION .

A survey by CPNN

The following 29 events in 11 Latin American countries include those listed in Google during the week of September 21-28 this year under the key words “International day of peace”, “Dia Internacional da Paz” and “Día Internacional de la Paz” The events also includes some listed on the facebook page of the International Cities of Peace.

About 48 events are listed in One Day One Choir and Montessori schools singing for peace, but there is no indication which events took place this year and which took place only in previous years.

video from Miraflores, Peru

CORRIENTES, ARGENTINA

The German Association of Corrientes adhered to the International Day of Peace, adding a third Post of Peace in the plaza Avenida Costanera and May 25. The opening ceremony was held on Saturday morning, with the accompaniment of all immigrant communities and associations, who began the day of celebration with a colorful parade with their flags and typical clothes.

JUJUY, ARGENTINA

In the framework of the International Day of Peace, from the Coordination of Child Care of the Provincial Directorate for the Comprehensive Protection of Children, Adolescents and the Family, a day of reflection was held with the slogan “Institutional Peace” with the staff of the Directorate. . .From this initiative, the staff and coordinators expressed personal and group perspectives on how to achieve institutional peace based on individual and collective changes in daily actions, expressing these messages through posters and cards that were placed in the office accompanied by balloons. and symbolic photographs.

MENDOZA, ARGENTINA

In the city of Mendoza, on the occasion of commemorating the International Day of Peace, the activity “Arming cranes” will be held, with staff and children in context of the Directorate for the Protection and Restitution of Rights.

SAN CARLOS DE BARILOCHE, ARGENINA

On the International Day of Peace, a brief act was held on Tuesday in the Plaza de la Iglesia Catedral. . . Those who make up the local committee of the Barilochense Banner of Peace commented that “those of us who participated in this important event, we want to especially commemorate this day, promoting peaceful coexistence in our city, the country and the world.” “Where there is Peace there is culture and where there is culture there is Peace” this was Roerich’s motto that continues to be proclaimed.

SAN LUIS, ARGENTINA

With the aim of contributing to the dissemination of the peaceful resolution of conflicts and promoting a pacifist culture from an early age, a new edition of the Drawings for Peace Contest will be held , whose work slogan will be the slogan proposed by the UN “Better recovery for a fair and sustainable world”, in commemoration of the International Day of Peace . This contest, which is intended for the students of the different schools in the province, will be carried out through the Judicial and Extrajudicial Mediation Centers and Rooms distributed throughout the provincial territory.

SUNCHALES, ARGENTINA

On the occasion of commemorating September 21, the International Day of Peace, from Casa de la Pax Cultura / Nodo Sunchales, they share the following Video. “Peace is not an idea, but a culture. It is a process of collective construction. If war and violence are a human invention, then human beings can also invent and build peace.” David Adams.

BRAZIL

This week’s Animated Radio features an article about the International Day of Peace. Check out an interview with author and director Vida Oliveira in the player above, who gave tips for books and movies with stories of courage and the search for peace, and also talked about the play Qual é Meu Nome Mama, a children’s show performed by the Cegonha Bando group of Creation, which tells the story of a child and his mother who are forced to leave their country of origin in search of survival.

COLOMBIA – FORUM

Video of Forum for International Day of Peace: Experiencias e iniciativas de construcción de paz

BOGOTA, COLOMBIA – VETERANS

In commemoration of the International Day of Peace, this September 21, the Unit for Victims reiterates its commitment to those most affected by the violence, working to implement all the actions that are the central axis of the Final Agreement with the FARC. . . Since 2017, the Unit has placed 1,673,602 Humanitarian Assistance transfers to 269,000 households who are victims of forced displacement. . .

CAJICÁ, COLOMBIA

We celebrate the international day of peace led by the psychology team of the Newman School, in the different activities carried out, all the students of the school participated in a proactive way. . . With the realization of recreational activities such as the creation of the vaccine of good treatment or activities around the symbols of peace, the importance of peace was reinforced in the students. (with many photos)

MEDELLIN, COLOMBIA

Make me an Instrument of your Peace was the campaign with which the Mayor’s Office of Medellín joined the commemoration of the International Day of Peace, as it was the city chosen by the United Nations Verification Mission in Colombia to carry out the central act of the activities of this day; . . In this commemoration, which took place in the Pedregal Open Air Theater, the Symbolic Manifesto for Reconciliation was signed, which seeks to articulate actions between institutions, non-governmental organizations and civil society to enhance joint work actions on construction of peace. . . The day was accompanied by a concert by the Reconciliation Choir, made up of victims of the armed conflict and people in the process of reincorporation. In addition to the presentation of the Medellín Philharmonic Orchestra, artistic interventions and the elaboration of a canvas for peace. . . “ Medellín is becoming an epicenter for the implementation of the Peace Accords and the message was that, to maintain, five years after the agreement was signed, the commitment of all State institutions to fully implement it, but above all, putting in the center to the victims and their right to access justice, truth and guarantees of non-repetition ”, added the Secretary of Non-Violence, Juan Carlos Upegui.

NARIÑO, COLOMBIA

Within the framework of the International Day of Peace, the department of Nariño becomes the venue for the Third World Summit that will take place between this Tuesday and Wednesday. The event takes place at the facilities of the Morasurco hotel in the capital of Nariño. It is a reality, San Bernardo and Tablon de Gómez in Nariño are now free of antipersonnel mines. Click here for video from Mariana University.

PUNTARENAS, COSTA RICA

Transformation in Violent Times Foundation, World without Wars and Violence, Costa Rica Azul Foundation, Municipality of San José, Distance State University and Antígono Gallery have the honor of inviting you to cover and spread positive messages in this Month of the Bicentennial of Independence and Peace and Non-Violence, since on September 21 the International Day of Peace is celebrated. . . TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 21, International Day of Peace, Creation of Mural for Peace, Time: 10 am, Place: Distance State University (UNED), Puntarenas headquarters, Organized by: UNED Puntarenas, Fundación Transformación en Tiempos Violentos and Galería Antígono

CUBA

The president of Cuba, Miguel Díaz-Canel, said today that his country joins the celebrations for the International Day of Peace, with the conviction that only peace will allow us to build a better world. Through his Twitter account, the president ratified the Caribbean nation’s commitment to defending life, hope and reconciliation, “in the midst of a planet overwhelmed by Covid-19 and military conflicts.” The day before, when intervening in the second moment of the debate on the Sustainable Development Goals of the 76 session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), the head of state called to renounce selfishness and work together to transform the unjust current international order. ‘Building the world we dream of is a huge task, but possible, if we renounce selfishness and work together to transform the current unjust international order into a more just, democratic and equitable one, in which, finally, no one is left behind! ‘Diaz-Canel emphasized in the forum.

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Question related to this article:

What has happened this year (2021) for the International Day of Peace?

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HAVANA, CUBA

Havana, Sep 17 (Prensa Latina) Cuba will organize a race in the neighborhood for peace on the 21st of this month, with the participation of runners, walkers and systematic practitioners of physical exercise, the weekly Jit reported today. The event, convened by the National Institute of Sports, will greet the 61st anniversary of the founding of the Committees for the Defense of the Revolution and the International Day of Peace, specified the direction of the Marabana-Maracuba project, in charge of providing technical support.

GUAYAQUIL, ECUADOR

Ecuador, a member of the World Association Without Wars and Violence, is present at the 1st Multiethnic and Pluricultural Latin American March for Nonviolence, beginning with the Pilgrimage to the bust of Mahatma Gandhi, located in Puerto Santa Ana, Plaza del Paseo y la Contemplación between The Point buildings and Wyndham hotel. The Bust was donated by the Government of India and was inaugurated in March 2018 by the then mayor of Guayaquil, Jaime Nebot. “There is no way for Peace, Peace is the way” Gandhi.

JAMAICA

The Violence Prevention Alliance (VPA), in collaboration with its partners, will observe the series of virtual activities in celebration of International Peace Day. The VPA in partnership with the Ministry of Education, Youth and Information (MOEYI), the Early Childhood Commission, among other entities, will aim to encourage children to write Peace Day letters. This will reinforce the message of peace being the cornerstone of the nation’s development as it realises the goal of unity for all. These letters will be published in the local newspapers and shared on social media platforms of the VPA and its partners. Meanwhile, the Peace Management Initiative, (PMI) Western Chapter will host a webinar to mark the day. The webinar will focus on the progress updates on how PMI has impacted communities.

JAMAICA

This International Day for Peace, UNESCO is partnering with UNDP to host the Youth Summit on Crime and Violence in Jamaica as part of the Amplifying Youth Voice and Action (AYVA) project. The Youth Summit on 21 and 22 September 2021 will be led by 11 youth groups from Jamaica who will present their solutions for citizen safety and security through the AYVA project and how young people can meaningfully contribute to shaping crime prevention and control policies and programmes to build lasting peace.

CULIACAN, MEXICO

Considered one of the most conflictive and violent settlements in Culiacán, the Alturas del Sur neighborhood will host the events that will take place within the framework of the “II International Week for Peace”. . . . Among them, lectures on the role of youth in peacebuilding, panels on public safety and citizen security, and an analysis of those who build peace. The week of activities will close with a “Rodada Por La Paz” on Saturday, September 25, which will depart from the Alturas del Sur neighborhood park at six in the afternoon.

GUANAJUATO, MEXICO

Within the framework of the International Day of Peace, the International University Meeting Towards a culture of peace from the Alternative Media for Conflict Resolution was held, an event that aims to disseminate, disseminate and address challenges and progress on this issue. Organized by the Mediation and Conciliation Unit of the University of Guanajuato (UG), this meeting aims to make visible the peaceful understanding as the means and first way for the peaceful resolution of conflicts, for the eradication of violence and the generation of communities that are more supportive, empathetic, tolerant and respectful of human dignity.

MEXICO CITY, MEXICO

The Public Prosecutor’s Office, through the Community Mediation Program Coordination Office, commemorates the International Day of Peace, declared by the United Nations General Assembly. . . . To commemorate the day, the coordination office will hold a conference on September 24, 2021, which will be broadcast on the YouTube channel of the Training and Research Center of the Attorney General’s Office, Dr. Alma Montenegro de Fletcher.

TABASCO, MEXICO

With the reading circle “Peace through letters”, the State Center for Social Crime Prevention and Citizen Participation (Cenepred) launched this Monday the Week for a Culture of Peace, within the framework of the International Day of the Peace, which is celebrated on September 21 of each year. The general director of Cenepred, Walter Chacón Escalante, launched the works that will be carried out virtually throughout the week, with the present reading circle, stories and poems, murals, folk dance and a keynote conference, related to the theme of the peace. . . . The writer Ana Livia Salinas González participated in the reading circle, presenting the chronicle “The Most Precious Good”, which shows how it is possible to build peace from homes, since it is the most precious good for all members of a society. Little Kevin Cordero López, only ten years old and originally from the indigenous area of ​​Tamulté de las Sabanas, read in the Yokot’an language and in Spanish, the story “The man and the grasshopper”, which teaches people to not be selfish and share things with everyone, in the hope that there is a good relationship between men and women.For her part, the bilingual teacher, writer and promoter of the Yokot’an language, Mariana de la Cruz García, offered the story of her authorship “The unexpected gift”, which talks about a town where everyone was treated badly and there was a lot of violence But the arrival of a new teacher means that, through education and healthy coexistence, there is peace and tranquility. In turn, the nine-year-old girl, Jennifer Acuña López, also read the story “Golden Corn”, which tells the story of a town that had food problems, but that with the union of all its inhabitants proclaimed that their pre-Hispanic God helps them get corn to plant, grow crops and make their tortillas and their pozol.

TICUL, MEXICO

Within the framework of the international day of peace, the SEDESOL Joven department in coordination with various areas and departments of the Ticul city council, as well as its commissioners, carried out activities to commemorate the international Day of Peace. . . . In the Yotholin police station, a symbolic representation was made that consisted of a historical remembrance of the date and a representation of The silhouette of a dove with the lighting of candles, with which the young people promised to work for peace and the common good of the municipality, the state, the country, and the whole world, in this activity the inhabitants of the commissioner participated and authorities such as councilors and directors of the Ticul town hall. Along with this activity, at the Pustunich police station they performed a representation of the word “Peace” with white balloons and banners with messages of peace.

TOLUCA, MEXICO

The municipal government of Toluca, headed by Juan Rodolfo Sánchez Gómez, invites the population to celebrate the International Day of Peace, through the virtual activities that the General Directorate Social Welfare prepares for Tuesday September 21 on their social networks. . . . At 10:00 hours, in the Facebook General Directorate of Social Welfare, the inauguration of activities will take place; at 11:00, an interview with young people about What is peace? At 1:00 pm, digital participation of various NGOs; at 14:30, the OFiT will delight the virtual public with a concert; while at 4:00 p.m. the opportunity will come to Brushstrokes for Peace; at 16:15, the Reforestation for Peace will be presented; at 6:00 p.m., there will be a Clothesline for Peace and at 8:00 p.m., a FlashMob for Peace.

ZAPOPAN, MEXICO

With the aim of commemorating the International Day of Peace, this September 21, DIF Zapopan organized a series of activities aimed at children and adolescents, which took place at the Tabachines Ludoteca and had the participation of President Maye Villa de Lemus. During the morning, the child and adolescent population that attended the educational-creative center made drawings about the culture of peace and painted ceramic figures in an activity designed to learn about respect for animals. They listened to stories about non-violence and received snacks.

CHICLAYO, PERU

Organization: CONSEJO REGIONAL POR LA PAZ
Action Details: banners, with children, youth, schoolchildren, women and the general population, dissemination of phrases alluding to the action through social networks, and in the regional councils for peace and the local councils of my region and districts

MIRAFLORES, PERU

The mayor of Miraflores, Luis Molina, participated in the commemorative act of the International Day of Peace, which took place in our district with a parade that started from Alfredo Salazar Park and ended in Central Park. During the course, a homily was held at the monument to the victims of the attack with two car bombs committed by the terrorist group Sendero Luminoso in July 1992, against the civilian population of Calle Tarata “in which 29 residents died and there were more than 200 injured ”, recalled the mayor. Click here for video

URUGUAY

As the Scout Movement of Uruguay we celebrate the culture of peace in all areas, indirectly our scout law reminds us of this daily in the following articles: “The scout is the brother of every scout and promotes brotherhood among men” and “The scout is just and builder of justice”. Bearing in mind this special day and remembering these two articles, let us reflect on whether we are generating that culture of peace, if in our daily acts we see thoughts of peace, social construction, justice and brotherhood among the men and women of our society. We also invite you to send us a photo with a scarf and a sheet with the following message # díainternacionaldelapaz #MSU. We leave you two historical documents of the United Nations with the resolutions adopted on September 21.
UNITED-NATIONS-RESOLUTION
Resolution 2001

GUAYANA, VENEZUELA

For the upcoming International Day of Peace, Fundación Guayanita gave details of the celebration they have prepared for that date. According to the information shared by its director Yesmin Salcedo, artists and institutions came together to coordinate the filming of the music video, “Dancing with myself” for September 21st. The filming will take place in the Roma race at the University parish, “a site that since the beginning the year at the will of organized neighbors we have been recovering from unhealthy conditions”. Salcedo explained that the song will be interpreted by the young talent from Guyana Henry de Los Santos, accompanied by the members of the Villa Asía dance therapy, directed by Rosmery Salavarría, and the La Churuata dance therapy, directed by Delvalle Mora.

FREE FLOW OF INFORMATION, Latin America

“Week for Peace 2021” Initiative for the consolidation of peace in Colombia

. . HUMAN RIGHTS . .

An article from Area Cucuta

The increase in femicides, domestic violence, murders against social leaders and the growth of poverty, indicates that the struggle in Colombia to achieve a healthy territory is still a challenge. For this reason, it is important that between September 5 and 12, version 34 of the “Week for Peace” will be held. The initiative of peace-building organizations of Colombian civil society, has, since 1987, made visible the daily effort of people , collectives and institutions that work in the construction and consolidation of peace, the redignification of the victims, the care and respect of life in and from the regions of the country.

The initiative invites people to find ways of reunion and solidarity for reconciliation with life and biodiversity. It includes the participation of the Truth Commission, National Secretariat for Social Pastoral, United Nations Verification Mission in Colombia, Center for Memory, Peace and Reconciliation (CMPR), Redepaz, Universidad Javeriana, the National Network of Regional Development Programs and Paz (Redprodepaz) and for the fourth consecutive year Compensar, among other organizations. The slogan is “The Truth we can !”
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(click here for the article in Spanish.).)

Question related to this article:

Truth Commissions, Do they improve human rights?

Can festivals help create peace at the community level?

What is happening in Colombia, Is peace possible?

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According to statistics from the Database of Collective Actions for Peace (Datapaz) of the Center for Popular Research and Education (CINEP / PPP), this is the month that historically presents the highest levels of mobilization and that between 1987 and 2016, most of the mobilizations (86%) were oriented to the promotion of peace. For this reason, this year it emphasizes the practices developed by individuals, groups, families, social organizations and communities, focused on truth and reconciliation. It shows how people organize themselves to re-signify and overcome the factors that generate violence, enable peaceful coexistence and commit all the actors in the conflict and civil society in improving the living conditions of the community.

“We are convinced that reconciliation is the best way to rebuild the social fabric, in a year impacted by the pandemic and by historical social demands. For this reason, in order to make visible the different collective initiatives of integral well-being that are had, Compensar is committed to the development of the country with different programs to attend early childhood in rural territories, complementary school days in Bogotá, Soacha, Caparrapí, Yacopí, La Palma and La Peña or programs for the elderly in Caparrapí. In this way, it will be possible to consolidate a culture of peace ”, assured Margarita Añez, director of Compensar’s Welfare and Social Development Unit.

In this line, the Week for Peace aims to describe the main tasks of peacebuilding and defense of human rights that must be promoted at the moment in the country, in accordance with the moment of legitimate social protest that Colombia is experiencing, the The Covid-19 pandemic, the final report that the Truth Commission has been preparing, and the progress and difficulties in the implementation of the Peace Agreement, both in public institutions and in civil groups of ex-combatants, victims and society in general. .

In this way, it will be recognized as a process that requires commitments and agreements, which are woven in a differential and multiscale way from the different social, community and territorial processes committed to the defense of human rights, human dignity and the comprehensive implementation of the agreement. of peace, having as a fundamental axis the work carried out by the Truth Commission.

Thus, the formation of a more equitable society will be achieved for the construction of a plural, participatory and lasting peace, with a view to national reconciliation.

DEMOCRATIC PARTICIPATION, FREE FLOW OF INFORMATION, HUMAN RIGHTS, Latin America

The Páramo de Sumapaz, will be the scene of Colombian cinema festival

. . SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT . .

An article from El Cine Suma Paz

The protection of the environment, citizen participation and the culture of peace will be the main themes of the first edition of the International Festival El Cine Suma Paz.

The festival will take place from September 10 to 25 with 10 face-to-face stages and a worldwide access platform to the festival’s contents for training, creation, transmission, promotion and circulation of audiovisual and cinematographic content.

Bogotá, DC, August 2021. The last great páramo in the world, El Páramo de Sumapaz, will be the setting for the first edition of the International Film Festival “El Cine Suma Paz” which aims to generate spaces for reflection through cinema that allow the discussion on the protection of the environment and the culture of peace to be shared by an international audience.

(Editor’s note. The scene, the Páramo de Sumapaz, is a unique high-altitude ecosystem in Colombia, above the tree line.)

On this occasion, the programming has been carried out in a hybrid way from September 10 to 25, with face-to-face and virtual activities. This project was born as an initiative of the Social Cinema Foundation with stories about the protection of the environment and the culture of peace.

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(Click here for the Spanish original.)

Questions related to this article:
 
What is the relation between the environment and peace

Film festivals that promote a culture of peace, Do you know of others?

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The first edition of the Festival will feature international exhibitions, academic spaces and an official selection made up of 80 films from around the world that positions cinema as a tool that raises awareness about the protection of the environment and the culture of peace among humans and the ecosystems that surround it.

It should be noted that this festival takes place in a complex social context, in a country that has seen more than 100 assassinated social leaders. “The Suma Paz Cinema is a space with which we seek to reaffirm our commitment to environmental education, with the defense of the environment and with the people who fight for social and environmental transformations, from different parts of the world,” said Cristhian Ossa, Director of the Social Cinema Foundation.

“We believe that this is a great opportunity to make visible the stories of the community and the relationship between the protection of our environment and the culture of peace. In these times where Colombians go through such a deep division, we need to generate bridges of communication and dialogue between us, in addition to nourishing ourselves with experiences related to the themes of the festival where the world has already explored historical paths and solutions, which sometimes we do not know. and make it impossible to implement them in our daily lives. ” Ossa added.

One of the films within the framework of the festival is Pico de Plata, which tells the story of a group of peasants who fought a historical battle to protect the Pico de Plata hill from mining in Fusagasugá . This short film will premiere on September 10 at the Festival’s opening ceremony.

Within the framework of the festival there will be exhibitions of the films in the communities that make up the Province of Sumapaz, Municipalities of Cundinamarca and the city of Bogotá, in the same way, during the development of the festival, there will be a platform that will allow to reproduce the films and the contents of the festival without any cost in any country of the world.

For more information visit www.elcinesumapaz.com.

EDUCATION FOR PEACE, Latin America, SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

Colombia: Beginning September 5, Cartagena will celebrate the Week for Peace

FREE FLOW OF INFORMATION . .

An article from Caracol

The United Nations General Assembly proclaimed 2021 as the International Year of Peace and Trust, in order to encourage member states, agencies belonging to the United Nations system and various civil society organizations to continue the efforts to promote a culture of peace and trust among nations, through political dialogue, mutual understanding and cooperation. This is in accordance with the provisions of the Declaration and Program of Action on a Culture of Peace.


(Click on image to enlarge.)

(Click here for the original article in Spanish.)

Questions related to this article:

What is happening in Colombia, Is peace possible?

On this occasion, the councils of peace, reconciliation, coexistence and human rights of Cartagena and Bolívar joined in a joint agenda that will allow the enjoyment of a series of cultural, academic and city events that will be broadcast virtually and in person with the aim that both children, youth and adults get involved in a culture of peace and city building.

The first cycle of delivery of food packages to the elderly has ended
This joint programming is made up of activities led by the different sectors of civil society that make up both councils, with the participation also in the Cartagena District of the secretary of the interior in charge of David Múnera Cavadía.

The programming will begin from September 1 and will connect with the week for peace in its 34th version that begins from the 5 of this month and has as a national message the phrase “truth that we can”; then through various symbolic acts it will run until September 25, a whole month dedicated to building peace and trust in the territory.

FREE FLOW OF INFORMATION, Latin America

Bogota, Colombia: Youth trained as facilitators of peace and reconciliation

FREE FLOW OF INFORMATION . .

An article from the Web site of Bogotá

Thanks to the coordination of the District Education Secretariat, ACDI / VOCA (North American NGO) and the Fe y Alegría Foundation, 110 students and two teachers from the towns of Kennedy and Bosa graduated as facilitators of peace and reconciliation.

This initiative that began in November 2020 was carried out under the guidelines of the ECO Program – Protective and Reliable Educational Environments, with the purpose of contributing to the construction of the District’s ecosystem of peace and reconciliation.

District Network of Facilitators for Peace and Reconciliation

As a result of this exercise, the District Network of Facilitators for Peace and Reconciliation was formed, which includes students from the Soledad Acosta de Samper, Germán Arciniegas, Ciudadela Educativa, El Porvenir, Japan and Tom Adams schools from the localities of Bosa and Kennedy.

“Schools are living and fundamental centers for social transformation, so we work to strengthen them. This group is a pioneer in the constitution of the network and, without a doubt, it will not be the last group with which we hope to advance in the local construction of peace ”, highlighted Rocío Olarte Tapia, director of Relations with the Private Educational Sector of the Ministry of Education .

(Click here for the original article in Spanish.)

Questions related to this article:

What is happening in Colombia, Is peace possible?

For this, a process involved 144 students and two teachers from these schools. The call was held openly, aimed mainly at students between grades 5 to 9, with an interest in transforming the relationship of the educational institution with the territory to which they belong and contributing to the construction of a culture of peace in their environment, on the basis of dialogue, respect and empathy.

During 15 weeks sessions were held aimed at enhancing their capacities and commitments for the strengthening of peace and reconciliation. The pedagogical strategies reflected on the daily experiences in each of their environments as a central element to understand the process in the local context.

Trained in peace and reconciliation

In this training process the participants addressed issues such as the management and transformation of conflicts, the construction of a culture of peace, the recognition and appreciation of diversity and the prevention of all forms of gender-based violence, among others.

In the case of participating teachers, the scope of their actions will be reflected in the framework of their role within the educational institution.

“The commitment to replicate is fundamental, not only in educational institutions, but in all everyday spaces where learning from the network can be made visible. From the Secretariat, our commitment is to continue working in the construction of peace ”, said the director of Relations with the Private Educational Sector.

The ECO Program will provide continuity and support to the Network of Educational Institutions that contribute to the District’s Peace and Reconciliation Ecosystem, including replication in more locations in Bogotá from a new cycle of the training process during 2022.

It is expected that more institutional and social sectors will join this project and contribute to the construction of the city.

FREE FLOW OF INFORMATION, Latin America

Different religions come together to pray for peace in Peru

. TOLERANCE & SOLIDARITY .

An article in El Comercio (translation by CPNN)

The Interreligious Council of Peru has released a video where representatives of various faiths share a prayer for peace in the country. The participants asked for harmony and a favorable future for all Peruvians.



the video – click to play

Raquel Gago, deputy executive secretary of the Interreligious Council of Peru, pointed out that this organization is a space for meeting, dialogue and fraternity among the religious communities of Peru.

(Click here for the original Spanish version of this article).

Question related to this article:
 

How can different faiths work together for understanding and harmony?

“This union of creeds encourages and promotes action for justice, peace, solidarity and care for creation,” she mentions at the beginning of the video.

“May this prayer serve to reflect on the importance of developing a culture of peace, justice and integrity,” she adds.

This prayer was attended by high representatives of the Brahma Kumaris Spiritual Organization, the Soto Zen Peru Buddhist Community, the Islamic Association of Peru, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, the Orthodox Church of Antioquia, the Interfaith Network of Women of Faith and Spirituality .

Also participating were the Evangelical Presbyteran and Reformed Church in Peru, the Lutheran Church of Peru, the Anglican Church of Peru, the National Union of Evangelical Christian Churches of Peru, the Jewish Association of Peru and the Archbishop of Arequipa, Monsignor Piñeiro, among others.

Latin America, TOLERANCE & SOLIDARITY

Mediation Forum of the Vice-Government of Ceará promotes discussion for a culture of peace

.. DEMOCRATIC PARTICIPATION ..

An article from Ceará, Governo de Estado (translation by CPNN)

The Vice-Government of Ceará, through its State Forum of Mediation, Restorative Justice and Culture of Peace, promoted a debate this Tuesday morning (June 29) on the use of laboratories, meetings and other peaceful devices to improve the society. The event was held remotely and attended by around 50 people, who were able to participate, ask questions and have a voice in the discussion.


Among those present at the meeting were: Cristiane Holanda, coordinator of the Restorative Justice and Mediation Coordination of the Vice-Government of Ceará; Cida Medeiros, journalist and facilitator and lawyer; and Luis Zubcov, scholar of peace dynamics.

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(Click here for the article in Portuguese)

Questions for this article:

The culture of peace at a regional level, Does it have advantages compared to a city level?

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Cristiane Holanda commented on the importance of the Forum and its monthly meetings. “Our forum tries to be democratic, participatory. We want to creat together a new model of living, being, within a society that is ethically just.”

In his speech, Luis Zubcov highlighted the need for more participative listeners in everyday interaction. “The active role of the listener is very important. Someone who is not just a passive observer, but an active one who can make a difference within the content they receive. The word is 50% of those who speak and 50% of those who listen.”

State Mediation Forum

The State Forum of Mediation acts as a partner of the Pact for a Ceará Pacific and is composed of 35 bodies and institutions, among which are: Public Ministry (MPCE), General Public Defender of Ceará, OAB, Court of Justice (TJCE), in addition of the Vice-Governor’s Office. Meetings take place every month.

Institutions wishing to participate in the Forum should contact the Vice-Governor’s Mediation Coordination at (85) 3459.6116.

DEMOCRATIC PARTICIPATION, Latin America

Experts identify 3 pillars for the «reunification» of Bolivians

. . DEMOCRATIC PARTICIPATION . .

An article by Nancy Castro in eju! (translation by CPNN)

The deactivation of “polarizing discourses” and the creation of an effective space for peace through the media is one of the three conclusions of the “International Seminar of Experiences for the Encounter”, organized by the Vice-Presidency of the State, United Nations and International Cooperation. The event, which took place on June 22 and 29, set out the objective of generating spaces for dialogue to strengthen peaceful coexistence in diversity.

The Vice President of the State, David Choquehuanca, in the closing speech, referred to the crucial role played by the media. “The role that the media has to play is very important, some perceptions have been gathered that the media, in some cases, like to feed the confrontation, they are looking for contradictions,” said Choquehuanca.

The other two pillars are “political will” and an “inclusive and participatory” agenda.

Regarding the first pillar, it was highlighted that the role of the government and civil society organizations is fundamental to promote a dialogue beyond differences. “Political will is essential for the construction of spaces for dialogue. We must become aware that the reunification is not just an event, but a sustained process over time, which requires the decided commitment of the leaders, “concluded one of the working groups.

The second pillar aims to open participatory meetings with an agenda that reflects the diversity of the country focused on common challenges, such as the fight against discrimination, inequalities and the eradication of violence. “The challenge is to avoid the monopolization of the debate in political spaces.”

(Article continued in right column)

(Click here for the original Spanish version of this article.)

Question related to this article:

How can we develop the institutional framework for a culture of peace?

(Article continued from left column)

Regarding the third pillar, the experts emphasized finding a favorable context for dialogue, “deactivating polarizing discourses”, and giving more space to voices that seek to build and achieve a peaceful equilibrium, a task for which the media is partly responsible.

“It is important to understand that our problems are deep and that working on these issues requires first, deactivating the feeling of threat to enable our voices,” concluded another of the work sessions.

Background.

On Tuesday, June 22, the first was held with international participants including Rigoberta Menchú Tum, 1992 Nobel Peace Prize winner, who explained that peace is not built only in meetings, but that it is necessary to build a culture of peace.

For her part, Vera Grabe, politician, ex-guerrilla commander and member of the Observatory for Peace in Colombia, stressed that peace is more than a speech, a policy, a matter for politicians, since what is really required is to dismantle violence in our practices.

There was also the participation of Carlos Borth, who spoke about the political agreements for the institutional reform of 1993, Griselda Torrico who spoke about the conflict of boundaries between the communities of Coroma and Quillacas and Carlos Romero, who related his experience around of the constituent agreements that made a new Political Constitution viable in 2009.

The participants presented their conclusions based on the experiences of national and international experts, which were received by Choquehuanca and Susana Sottoli, resident coordinator of the United Nations System in Bolivia, to build a proposal for a “National Process for the Reunification”.

Choquehuanca in his intervention made it clear that the representatives of international organizations and ambassadors of the countries are not there to please the Government and the Bolivian people. Neither is the central level of the State there to please these foreign representations and legations.

“We have become aware that we can contribute, from our embassies, as people, as professionals, as representatives or as authorities to build unity, to build brotherhood, to contribute to the construction of peace.”

During the post-electoral conflicts of 2019, members of the citizen platforms that denounced electoral fraud decided to peacefully take over state radio and television. At that time people accused these media of lying, misinforming and fueling the confrontation.

DEMOCRATIC PARTICIPATION, Latin America

Argentina: Teachers lead national strategy for Comprehensive Environmental Education

EDUCATION FOR PEACE .

An article by Graciela Mandolini from Education International

We live in a historical time in which all kinds of emergencies are constantly being played out: environmental, climate, energy, health, economic … All of these converge in what many authors define as the crisis of civilization. The environmental agenda has been setting the pace and environmental conflicts have burst into school settings, appearing with unprecedented speed and persistence.

If we understand education as a process that is permanently under construction, we could say that teachers in Argentina are carrying out some important actions in terms of comprehensive environmental education. These include interventions in curricular designs, as well as in projects and programs aimed at incorporating the environmental dimension for sustainable development as part of teaching-learning proposals.

Teacher and Union Training School

For 25 years, the Confederación de Trabajadores de la Educación de la República Argentina (CTERA) [Educational Workers Confederation of the Argentine Republic] has generated teacher training processes in Environmental Education: postgraduate courses and specializations in environmental education for sustainable development, in cooperation with public universities, face-to-face meetings with in-service teachers, projects, programs and actions on environmental education for secondary school students and teachers… practical, recreational and learning activities have also been organized, such as planting trees, composting activities, etc.

The union has worked with dedication on a project aimed at creating spaces for building knowledge in order to promote a dialogue of knowledge and skills development, consolidating teacher training at all levels and modalities of the formal educational system, so as to promote environmental education for sustainable development.

This issue has been one of the fundamental pillars of the training activities promoted by our organization’s “Marina Vilte” Teacher and Union Training School.

Initially, in the late 1990s, CTERA produced a training proposal for an Advanced Specialization Course in Environmental Education for sustainable development, in cooperation with a public university that offered lectures nationally through its grassroots entities. In the training space, more than 4,000 teachers specialized in Environmental Education.

Pandemic and environmental education

During 2020, as we moved through the stages of isolation and later of social distancing, whilst tackling the pandemic, a pedagogical proposal was drawn up based on training itineraries and paths, to consider different theories and concepts on the issue affecting us.

Firstly, through mechanisms designed for this purpose, the CTERA Education Secretariat and various grassroots entities offered training opportunities using the co-self-assisted methodology, so that teachers felt this was an invitation to study and an occasion for lifelong learning, without feeling pressured to meet requirements that could create an overload of teaching work. These training formats made it possible to reflect on educational practice, based on personal interests and motivations and in a self-regulated manner.

(article continued in right column)

(Click here for the article in French or here for the article in Spanish

Question for this article:

What are good examples of environmental education?

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Secondly, and in coordination with the INFoD (National Teacher Training Institute), CTERA further developed the proposal, moving towards creating a tutored course.

In both situations, it was felt necessary to consider the particular conditions that lead to problematizing the Teacher Training curriculum, based on the situations it addresses and analyzes, the complexity of associated trends and the practices of meaning, intervention, research, outreach and transcendence, which allow it to interact in and with the communities of origin.

Pino Solanas Law

The National Congress of Argentina recently approved the National Law of Comprehensive Environmental Education. This law, named after the Argentine filmmaker, Pino Solanas, proposes a “permanent, crosscutting and comprehensive” national public policy for all educational establishments in the country. It covers the interdependence of all the elements that make up and interact in the environment; respecting and valuing biodiversity; equity; recognizing cultural diversity; caring for our natural and cultural heritage and exercising the right to a healthy environment.

The law proposes the establishment of a National Strategy for Comprehensive Environmental Education. It promotes the creation and development of Jurisdictional Strategies and raises the issue of an Intergenerational Environmental Commitment. It also provides for the implementation, on the educational agenda, of actions to improve institutions. It affirms that any educational proposal must be based on educating young people and children. This project clearly establishes a public policy that reinforces the paradigm of citizen participation for sustainability.

Environmental education, education for life

We believe that any environmental education proposal, project or program for sustainable development that we carry out must, without question, interact with history, trajectories, institutional projects, stakeholders, local and regional projections, that will give it meaning and make it unique.

Environmental Education, based on the paradigm of Latin American Environmental Thought, makes it possible for the community’s knowledge to be discussed, thus recovering its voices, trajectories, expectations, experiences, demands, concerns and proposals, in order to highlight environmental conflicts in the territory, dismantling naturalized practices on a daily basis, generating dialogue and linking different disciplinary knowledge so as to reimagine and alter our practices.

CTERA sees Environmental Education for sustainable development as the establishment of environmental criteria, as raising awareness about environmental conflicts, understanding environmental complexity, as creativity, wonder, empathy; it means thinking in an inter-connected manner; learning as you live and learning from life.

It is a conceptual proposal that is interwoven and integrated with methodological work. That is why how we make the content available, the way we present work dynamics and proposals, and encourage participation is very important. This includes:

* Recreational activities that allow us to express our sensations, emotions, and feelings, our mind-body thoughts

* Actions that make it possible to develop proposals where identity is expressed in an artistic and creative way.

* Ancestral ceremonies that occur, highlighting the need to re-connect with nature, recognizing ourselves as children of Mother Earth.
Taking part in tree planting, composting, recycling, materials recovery, camping activities, etc.

The didactic strategies that we can use as environmental education workers to address the issues, problems and conflicts that affect and challenge us, are under continuous construction. In this process, much searching is done to ensure culture and nature, teachers, students, schools and the community support each other, generating creative processes committed to reality, promoting the construction of teaching – learning processes aimed at creating a society based on environmental, social and, of course, curricular justice.

(Thank you to Phyllis Kotite, the CPNN reporter for this article.)

EDUCATION FOR PEACE, Latin America, SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT