Four decades of conflict between armed actors in Colombia has led to the killing, displacement, and kidnapping of indigenous people, women, union activists, youth, journalists, and human rights workers in Colombia. Despite the ties of the government to the most frequent human rights abusers and the principal participants in narcotrafficking-- the paramilitaries-- the U.S. continues to fund the Colombian government with an average $750 million a year since 2003 under Plan Colombia/Plan Patriota, 80% of which is military or security aid.
Increased military build-up due to Plan Colombia has led to an increasingly threatening environment for those who stand against the conflict. The indigenous peace communities of Toribío and Jambaló, recognized by the United Nations for their commitment to sustainable development, peace, and social and cultural survival, recently facing combat with FARC guerrillas, were later bombed and displaced by the Colombian armed forces and counter-guerilla police. 8 members of the Peace Community of San José de Apartadó were killed earlier this year, and as is evidenced by the subsequent police occupation and displacement of the community, the Colombian government does not accept any solution to the conflict aside from an armed response.
How does one build a culture of peace within such violence? The emergence of intentional peace communities across the country, sustainable agriculture in rural areas, youth-led cultural projects denouncing the war, and women's organizations taking a lead in organizing for peace has provided an option of peaceful and economically-just neutrality for those trapped among the armed actors.
Join Fellowship of Reconciliation and Global Exchange on a safe and secure delegation as we visit a range of actors who are fighting for the right to say no to armed conflict and are organizing for real solutions at the grassroots level.
Program Highlights:
- * Travel to peace communities that have declared themselves neutral in the country's conflict and stand in solidarity
- * Meet with grassroots religious and women's rights organizations committed to improving civil rights in Colombia
- * Explore cultural expressions against the war with youth, artists, and alternative media projects that are creatively resisting violence
- * Meet with government officials and learn about the history of Plan Colombia/Patriota, the drug war, and US military and economic intervention
- * Understand the US media blanket on Colombia and get to know the sides of Colombian life that rarely arrive to the U.S.
Cost: $1300 (from Bogotá)
Price Includes:
- *Double-room hotel accommodations; two meals per day; transportation to and from all programmed activities including possible domestic flight; guides and translators; a qualified trip leader; all program activities; and reading materials.
- * Not included: International airfare, lunches, airport departure taxes, tips, and personal expenses are not included.
How to Register:
We must receive your application and a non-refundable deposit of $200 two months before departure. A late fee of $50 will be applied to late applications. Payments by Mastercard or Visa are welcome.This trip will be as diverse as possible in terms of race, age and life experiences. We strongly urge people of color to apply. In some cases, a limited number of partial scholarships are available for low-income applicants.
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