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An article from El Tiempo

‘Brayanman’ was the alias of David López Agudelo as a FARC guerrilla. Now that FARC has been disarmed, it is now his stage name to start his career in music as he is in the process of rejoining civilian life after half a century in war against the State.

Colombian musician César López, inventor of the ‘escopetarra’, opened the day with his instrument of peace at the Los Fundadores Theater and closed it with a concert at the University of Caldas. Photo: Jonh Jairo Bonilla

‘Brayanman’ was the alias of David López Agudelo as a FARC guerrilla. Now that FARC has been disarmed, it is now his stage name to start his career in music as he is in the process of rejoining civilian life after half a century in war against the State.
 
Last Wednesday, he sang in Manizales, far from the place of reincorporation (the green zone) in Caracolí (Chocó). With his lyrics, he criticized the media and the implementation of the peace agreement by the National Government, in particular, regarding the dismantling of paramilitarism.

He was one of the central guests of the Festival for Life and Peace organized by the Institute of Culture and Tourism (ICTM), the University of Caldas and 23 social organizations in the neighborhoods of the departmental capital. That ex-combatants like him shared their stories with the inhabitants of those sectors was part of the objective.

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

What is happening in Colombia, Is peace possible?

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“The purpose is to make visible those invisible voices, those faces of ex-guerrilla people that the country was in charge of dehumanizing; so that Manizales, that did not experience the armed conflict, can understand what is happening in the rest of the country and understand those other views, “said Andrés Felipe Marín, spokesperson for the participating NGOs.

Three buses crossed the Malhabar, El Carmen, San José and Solferino neighborhoods with photographs, documentaries and music. These included those from local artists as well as works of ex-combatants from the camps where they are being re-integrated into the civil society.

The ICTM manager, Héctor Ortiz, explained that “we work with the whole city in promoting a culture of peace”. According to him, for this, the municipal administration works in cooperation with all its institutions.

The event was also an academic showcase. The director of projection of the University of Caldas, Andrés Felipe Betancorth, affirmed that “we are collecting the experience of having worked with the green zones and providing the knowledge to the whole community”.

He emphasized that “the main gain was to establish contact with ex-combatants and the surrounding communities.” He said that it was a first approach of investigation and accompaniment to “gain confidence” and to establish the means for a longer term intervention.

“Many needs are identified in some of the areas, particularly those in Chocó and Guaviare,” said the teacher. He said that the institution is committed to address shortcomings in education and health.

‘Brayanman’ – who at the end of the day shared a stage with César López, inventor of the ‘escopetarra’- said, for example, that he would like to study music “because through singing, one can pass the message to many people.”

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An article from OPANOTICIAS

From the 1st to the 6th of November, the second edition of the international biennial in education, culture and peace will be held, organized by the Peace Education Collective and supported by the Faculty of Education of the Surcolombian University.

The event will be held in Mocoa (Putumayo) and will include leaders or members of social and training programs, projects, experiences and initiatives related to education and culture of peace.
 
Those interested in intervening as speakers, have until September 30 to register and fill their data to the mail bienaleducapazputumayo@gmail.com; Registration will cost 10,000 Colombia dollars for undergraduate students and 50,000 for professionals.
 
The activity also has the support of the San Agustín Educational Institution of the Putumayo capital.

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

What is happening in Colombia, Is peace possible?

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A survey by CPNN

The following 58 events in 16 Latin America and Caribbean countries were listed in “Google News” during the week of September 21-28 under the key words “International day of peace” and “Dia internacional de paz,” and “Dia internacional da paz.” This also includes some events listed on the websites of the Global Feast for Peace, and event map for the International Day of Peace.

Here are excerpts from the articles.

GUAYANA : A peace walk and concert in observance of International Peace Day was held by Ministry of Social Cohesion on Thursday, September 21, 2017. Under the theme, “Together for Peace: Respect, Safety, and Dignity for All” the march which commenced from Parade Ground and concluded at the National Museum, saw a wide cross-section of individuals participating, including those from the Guyana Karate School, Glaston Twirling Dancerettes Company.

ST LUCIA : The Commonwealth Youth Peace Ambassador’s Network (CYPAN) St. Lucia’s Chapter joined the United Nations in celebrating International Day of Peace under the theme “Together for peace, respect, safety and dignity for all”. The organization is hosting an inter-district essay competition organized primarily for Secondary School students. Students are encouraged to write a 100 – 150 word essay, using the topic: “What Does a Peace Building Commonwealth Mean to Our Business Community”.

(Note: From this point on, the events are translated by CPNN from the Spanish or Portuguese original)

CASILDA, ARGENTINA : This 21st of September is celebrated around the world as the International Day of Peace, and at the request of the Ombudsman of Santa Fe, in our city, as in many others in the province, the Flag of Peace will be hoisted in the Plaza Casado de los Mástiles, at 9:30 am. This will happen this Thursday, at 9:30 am, and the event will be attended by the municipal mayor, Juan José Sarasola, and officials of the City Council.

SALTA, ARGENTINA : With a symbolic walk and different activities, the International Day of Peace was commemorated under the motto “We celebrate the Pulse of Peace”, with the participation of different groups committed to the construction of a Culture of Peace. The activity, which included the Ministry of Human Rights and Justice along with other organizations, began with a symbolic walk to the Monument of Güemes, where the organizers of the event raised the flag of peace and carried out activities alluding to the day.

Other descriptions of peace day activities in Argentina were reported from CÓRDOBA and NECHOCHEA

CAMPO GRANDE, BRAZIL : With cultural performances of music and dance, 850 students of the municipal school “Vanderlei Rosa de Oliveira”, in the neighborhood Novo Maranhão, celebrated the International Day of Peace, celebrated on Thursday (21). In all, the event brought together an audience of over a thousand people. . . . Children from preschool to grade 9 presented numbers with songs about peace. . . . In another presentation, the students danced holding candles, which symbolized the light needed to illuminate the decisions of humanity.

CANOAS, BRASIL : The Directorate of Policies for Diversity and Traditional Communities, in partnership with the Municipal Council for the Rights of Children and Adolescents of Canoas (Comdica) and the NGO Parceiros Voluntários, on September 21 the Walk of Peace. The path of the walk leaves the Emancipation Square, in front of the City Hall. . . The initiative is part of the Arte Legal project, a social intervention that aims to inform, sensitize and mobilize citizens of Cano for the implementation of Law 13.185 / 15, known as the Law to Combat Bullying.

CARUARU, BRASIL : The International Day of Peace was celebrated in Caruaru with a Walk for Peace, on the afternoon of Thursday 21. Thousands of people followed the Walk from the railroad station through the main streets of the city center to Marco Zero. Public authorities, private institutions and associations, trade unions, organizations gathered in forums with representatives of the judiciary, councilors, rights advisers, artists and the community.

ITAJAÍ, BRASIL : Next Thursday (21), when the “International Day of Peace” is celebrated, 5th year students of the Basic School develop the “Pinwheels for Peace” project. . . . The windbreakers will bring messages about peace, anti-bullying and non-violence, and will be distributed to the population. There are also moments of reflection on peace, artistic presentations, recitation of poetry, as well as the offering of white balloons, face painting and the distribution of tree seedlings. . . . Another action planned by the promoters will be the delivery of leaflets releasing phrases from peacemakers such as Martin Luther King, Mahatma Gandhi, Nelson Mandela, Mother Tereza of Calcutta and Anne Frank.

PELOTAS, BRASIL : The City Hall and the Religious Diversity Committee are organizing the celebration of World Peace Day on Thursday beginning at 13.30 in the Baronesa Park. The event includes the Alberto Rosa School Band and capoeira workshop, the Areal student orchestra, Musical performance of Escola Anchieta, a Hip Hop Presentation, a Presentation of Angels and Cherubs, the Brigade Band, a Culture of Peace closure, and the UNESCO message.

SÃO PAULO, BRASIL : This Saturday (23/9), at the internal garden of the Courtyard of the College, in the center of the capital of São Paulo, leaders and representatives of different religions will meet with a single objective: to ask for and to emanate world peace. Among them are Assembly of God, Buddhism, Candomblé, Catholicism, Spiritism, Hinduism, Presbyterian Church, Islam, Umbanda. The “Interreligious United Act for Peace” is organized by the Commercial Association of São Paulo in celebration of the International Day of Peace.

Other descriptions of peace day activities in Brazil were reported from PASSOS MAIA and PORTO ALEGRE.

BOGOTA, COLOMBIA : On September 21, as part of the International Day of Peace, the Chamber of Commerce of Bogotá and the Mayor of Bogotá, as well as the Ministry of Culture and allied entities, launch the general agenda that seeks to reaffirm the title it holds “Bogota as World City of Peace,” assigned during the 16th World Summit of Nobel Peace Laureates, held in February this year. . . . The agenda is a series of activities and programs that have been developed during the year and are scheduled until 2018, with which it is hoped to continue activating citizen participation around the dialogue on construction and reconciliation in the city.

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( Click here for the Spanish version.)

What has happened this year (2017) for the International Day of Peace?

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SAN ANDRÉS DE TUMACO EN NARIÑO, COLOMBIA : The Youth Network “This is Peace Too” in Tumaco, is carrying out various activities within the framework of the peace week, September 19, 20 and 21 as part of the strategy to reflect on the situation that our country and transmit messages about forgiveness and reconciliation. They are performing activities such as staging and theater image with a gallery of body images. Young people who are part of the “Project Use Your Power to Build Peace” are also participating in the Youth Encounter for Peace in Tumaco, where it has been possible to exchange ideas with other young people with different youth processes for peace that take place in the surrounding municipalities, Several cultural activities have been carried out, such as murals, ancestral recovery through women’s songs and young songwriters, actions that favor the integration of communities and the construction of healthy spaces for the population.

SAN JOSE, COSTA RICA : As part of the celebration of the International Day of Peace, nearly 200 young people from all over the country gathered at the National Cultural Center where the results of the fourth edition of “Song for Peace” were presented. . . . In total 60 students from the seven provinces of the country participated in the contest and an artistic camp with renowned national artists. “Only with a word” theme of the young Jessica Matus Moreno of the Professional Technical College of the East obtained the first place of the contest.

HABANA, CUBA : Members of the project “Sociocultural Communication and Activism Join Us!” visited a Havana educational center to celebrate together with students and teachers the International Day of Peace, held every September 21. . . . Artists of the popular program Sonando in Cuba, transmitted by the Cuban Television, talked with students and teachers. . . For her part, Alodia Suárez, director of the school for five years, said that. . . “In a fun and attractive way, knowledge on various topics such as non-violence, gender equality, environmental protection, the rights of children and people with disabilities, among other issues can be transmitted”.

SAN SALVADOR, EL SALVADOR : Celebration of the international day of peace with a colorful act in our capital (video report).

TECOMÁN, MÉXICO : The municipal coordinator of the Program for the Care of Girls, Children and Adolescents (PANNAR) Lluvia María Bueno Sánchez, stressed the importance of students promoting peace among schoolmates, as well as in the family. . . Thus a group of children from the Paladins of the Revolution primary were responsible for painting the mural commemorating the International Day of Peace held on September 21. In the mural highlighted values such as love, respect, understanding, tolerance, patience, responsibility, smile, among others.

CHETUMAL, MÉXICO : More than 300 people gathered in front of the Museum of Mayan Culture to commemorate September 21 International Day of Peace, with the participation of different civil organizations and students. . . . There were hundreds of children who came from different Scout groups, with their different banners alluding to peace. In the event, also came students of the College of Bachelors, who formed their own contingent as well as a motorcyclists club. . . . The interviewee commented that for two months they have been organizing for this day that can not go unnoticed in order to make citizens aware that in the current world, Mexicans and especially children, we want peace!

CHIHUAHUA, MÉXICO : As part of the commemoration of the “International Peace Day”, the Secretariat for Social Development, through the Cohesion Coordination of Social Cohesion and Citizen Participation, held an awareness event at the Francisco Javier Torres Arellano Elementary School to encourage mediation between the new generations. Laurencio Barraza Limón, Coordinator of Social Cohesion and Citizen Participation, said that this act is part of a series of trainings that are being developed so that new generations know that there are peaceful ways to solve any type of conflict in their environment. The official added that at the moment, the state agency implements this action in 20 primary, secondary and preparatory institutions of the City of Chihuahua with the intention of extending the coverage to about 60 schools and gradually extend to other municipalities .

MANAGUA, NICARAGUA : Thousands of balloons along with paper doves were launched in the gardens of the National Autonomous University of Nicaragua (UNAN-Managua), by students and authorities of the Embassy of the Russian Federation in Nicaragua, within the framework of the celebration of the World Day of the Peace. “For me this day is very important. We are firm believers and promoters of peace” said Alexander Sidorov, Second Secretary of the Russian Embassy. “In World War II, 26 million Russians died, and that is why we do not want wars, we want peace in the world.: On each little bird that flew on a balloon was the name of a Russian person killed in the war as a tribute to those men and women who contributed to the end of the armed conflicts at that time. The UNAN-Managua Chancellor, Ramona Rodríguez, pointed out that Nicaraguan youth are very committed to the country’s development and recognize that to achieve that, it is necessary to maintain and strengthen peace.

LIMA, PERU : With dance music and an artistic show, Chimbote celebrated yesterday, the International Day of Peace. Among the participating groups were the municipal creche “Cruz de la Paz” and Amigas de Chimbote, members of the Integral Center for the Elderly (CIAM) as well as members of the Civil Association of the “Perpetual Relief for the Disabled”, the Food Complementation Program, the Glass of Milk Program, and IEP students “My Good Jesus.” The representative of the Provincial Municipality, Paola Huamán, stressed the importance of placing peace on the agenda, especially in situations of social problems and violence, such as those experienced in the region.

CARACAS, VENEZUELA : To celebrate the International Day of Peace, a concert was held at the Teatro Principal in Caracas with the participation of several popular artists, according to the Venezuelan News Agency. Delcy Rodríguez, accompanied by singer-songwriters like Lilia Vera, Luisiana Pérez, Fabiola José, Daisy Gutiérrez, Amaranta Pérez, Roque Valero and Leonel Ruíz participated in the concert organized by the National Constituent Assembly (ANC). . . . The activity began with the opening speech of the constituent Roque Valero, who highlighted the Government’s efforts to protect the stability of the nation, especially after the installation of the ANC that aims to promote a dialogue with all sectors. Also present were Father Numa Molina and Luis Milagro, mother of David Vallenilla, murdered during the street actions promoted by extremist sectors of the opposition.

In addition to the above events, there are a number of events in Latin America and the Caribbean listed on the event map for the International Day of Peace, including an assembly in ST MICHAEL, BARBADOS, music in CALI, COLOMBIA, meetings and music in MAGDALENA, COLOMBIA, school activities in MONTERREY, MEXICO, meditation in SANTO DOMINGO, DOMINICAN REPUBLIC, activities in KINGSTON, JAMAICA and a student peace march in SAN JOSE, COSTA RICA.

Many cities and communities are members of the International Peace Cities network and the following are listed on the Global Feast Map as celebrating a feast to mark the International Day of Peace:

ARGENTINA: Buenos Aires, Vicente Lopez, Tigre, San Salvador du Jujuy, Moron, Escobar, Junin, Rivadavia, La Paz, San Rafael, Neuquen, Villa de Merlo, Carpinteria, La Carolina, Los Molles, San Miguel de Tucuman, Monteros, San Isidro and Adrogue.

HAITI: Port-au-Prince, Hinche, Fort Liberté, Croix-des-Bouquets

MEXICO: Guadalajara, Zihautanejo, Querétaro

COLOMBIA : Medellin, Bogotá, Cajicá, Leticia

BARBADOS: Bridgetown

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An interview by Erik Flores for NTR Zacatecas

Although she could be considered a wandering soul, because she has changed cities more times than her years, Cristina Ávila-Zesatti still retains her two great dreams of 20 years ago: that of exercising a journalism that awakens consciousness and being grateful to the people who have helped her on her way.

In an interview with NTR Media, the writer commented that she provides an emotional break from conventional journalism that you read every day, because she has dedicated herself to peace journalism. For this she does not restrict herself to “good news”, but she approaches reality with another perspective and another ethical motivation. Instead of emphasizing conflicts, she highlights solutions.

“I consider that conflicts, from open warfare to economic, political and ecological conflicts of all kinds, can be seen from the perspective of offering a solution. Even if only a description of the problem is made, this type of journalism achieves a completely different social change than one gets from conventional journalism,” she said.

On November 4, the Women’s Peacepower Foundation will award Cristina Ávila Zesatti the Woman Peace Award 2017 at its headquarters in Tampa, Florida, USA, for the work she has done for peace, especifically her peace journalism .

She has worked for “the great monsters” of the media and realized the difference between counting not only the problems but also peaceful, non-violent outlooks; “I found there is a whole social universe ignored by traditional journalism, even scorned, badly treated and a bad way to tackle content, and in this universe I discovered the peace that you can find in the world.”

For this reason, Ávila-Zesatti wrote her first book: “Mexico in the labyrinth of contradiction.” It shows how to bring peace to a country that is not officially at war by explaining the phenomenon of violence from the perspective of peace studies.

Now in Zacatecas she is writing “Peace that does exist (and that journalism ignores)”, in which 20 international stories of peace are told; for three years the book was rejected by eight publishers, and now in its second edition, Texere distributes it throughout Mexico.

 Culture of violence

Cristina Avila-Zesatti explains that “what we are seeing now is a very deep corruption since 2006, with the war against narco, when a very irresponsible civil war was declared, and now what scares us is physical violence, death. ”

However, she stressed that Mexico has for many years been immersed in a violent culture, “and now it is turning against us, that is why I am saddened so much the way that the media covers this phenomenon. It hurts us all. As a guild it does not help to heal, it does not help the country to heal, it does not help the country to understand itself in another way “.

She poses the question, if the narco traffic were to be terminated, by legalization or some other way, “would people stop killing?, would there be no more deaths from the drug? I do not think so because the wound in Mexico is much deeper. It is time that we start to face it in another way, because to divide the country into hitmen, policemen, military and ordinary people will not lead us to heal. We are killing each other, this is really a civil war, I do not think compartmentalizing violence is the solution. ”

“It is not that homicides are more important than femicides, but our great capacity as a people for cruelty is worrying. We are a cruel people. And you can see in simple comments about Enrique Peña Nieto, when people regret that the plane did not crash in which he was traveling.”

Ávila-Zesatti explains that “this speaks of the underlying, cultural, learned violence that we have normalized. You can see when there is a news about a riot in jail. The comments are: ‘the more they suffer, the better’. Even though journalism does not cause this, journalism creates a vicious cycle that puts us into a downward spiral from which it will be hard to escape. ”

(Interview continued in right column)

(Click here for the original program in Spanish)

Journalism in Latin America: Is it turning towards a culture of peace?

(Interview continued from left column)

That is why she has dedicated herself to peace journalism, “which is not “ipso facto” journalism, a journalism of reaction. It is not catchy headlines; I believe that journalists have in their hands an enormous responsibility to make ordinary people understand the world around them. ”

However, adds Cristina Ávila-Zesatti, “if journalists do not even understand what is happening around us, if we do not scratch deep, if we do not investigate, if we do not put together the pieces that allow us to have moral responsibility, to try to explain the world to others , we are part of the problem.”

For this woman from Zacatecas, “the world needs a “slow journalism,” because the world is going very fast. We need to explain what is happening, but the journalists themselves are not understanding it or giving themselves the opportunity to understand it. ”

On how to do peace journalism in Zacatecas, Cristina Ávila-Zesatti stressed: “one must have the intention. In Zacatecas and in Mexico, in general, I would be pleased to hear journalists who know what needs to be done.”

She added: “in Zacatecas I have not found the curiosity that the profession of journalism should have. Journalists are not well trained. They are very politicized, with many interests, which are completely removed from journalistic ethics. The first thing that is needed is to do something for society, to accept that the vocation and profession of journalist means that you never stop learing, because you are covering a reality that is constantly changing.”

“Journalists should always be learning, because we form minds. I have offered courses in peace journalism, but no one wants to take them. And it is paradoxical that in other countries I recognized for what I do for peace journalism while in Zacatecas I have not been able to do anything with it,” she lamented.

“I love my land very much, but precisely because I love her, I can not help but see her great reluctance to move forward from her stagnant situation; nevertheless, I always ask young journalists, above all, not to stop dreaming, not to surrender their dreams of changing the world. Imagine what it would be like if all the journalists decided to do journalism because we want things to change and improve,” she said.

Cristina Avila-Zesatti has rejected money offered for projects which, in her words, “what they want is for me to tell only about the violence in this country, but I do not want to tell only that part of my country. My country is violent and it is raping every day, but there is another part that we need to listen to, count and rescue, and that almost nobody wants to hear.”

She explained that the mass media incites frustration, fear and, therefore, an internal war, which will end up transforming into an external war, whether personal, family or social. We need another kind of journalism that can collaborate which what is peaceful and to face the world in a non-violent way.

“I believe in the power of the word. In my beginnings in journalism I dreamed of being a war correspondent and, in the end, I became a correspondent of peace. I look at the darkest part of the world from its most luminous side, and that part we all have, both personally and socially, and I still believe that the word has the choice between immensely healing or immensely destroying,” she added.

Tireless Activist

Cristina Ávila-Zesatti is a tireless activist. She rescues animals. She has earned a degree in Communication Sciences from the Universidad del Valle de Atemajac, a master’s degree in Documentary Drama from the Universidad Complutense de Madrid and a degree in Culture of Peace from the Universidad Autónoma de Barcelona.

For her pacifist activism she has received national and international awards from the Madrid Press Association in Spain; the Friedrich Ebert Foundation in Germany, and the Supreme Court of Justice (SCJN) in Mexico.

Cristina Ávila-Zesatti has given lectures and workshops in Mexico, Spain, Colombia and the United States; was editor in the Channel TV6, of Guadalajara; producer on Telemundo in western Mexico; producer and publisher of International News for Cable News Network (CNN); head of correspondents for NBC-Telemundo International, as well as associate producer in documentaries for MS-NBC Investigatives, Canadian Television and ARD German Public Television.

In 2003-2006 she dedicated herself to research journalism in Belgium, France and Spain, in social issues, and was a collaborator of the Mexican weekly journals Day Seven and Eme-Equis, among other publications.

Currently she edits Corresponsal de Paz on the Internet, which has an average of 30 thousand readers per month, with visits from more than 70 countries on five continents.