PazAlaCalle Benefit, Colombia Peacebuilding Conversation

20161222_PazAlaCalle_peace_building_conversationThursday 22nd of December 2016, PazAlaCalle Benefit. Open dialogue: Peacebuilding in Colombia post conflict: A review from different perspectives. Volkseten Vegazulu, 7pm.

Colombian peace deal and its endorsement

In the last 52 years Colombia has suffered from an armed conflict between their government and several groups of rebels. Among these groups is FARC-EP (Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia – People’s Army). In the last 30 years FARC and the Colombian government have tried twice to solve the conflict through dialogue, unfortunately without the desired result. On the 5th of August 2014 the Colombian government, led by President Juan Manuel Santos, and the guerillas officially announced that new peace talks would be undertaken in Havana, Cuba. After four years of intense negotiations the world witnessed the signing of a historical peace agreement on the 26th of September 2016.
The peace agreement was rejected by more than the half of people in Colombia through referendum. The referendum showed the country heavily divided as inhabitants of areas where FARC had more impact supported the agreement while areas less impacted by the conflict did not. Finally, last 30th of November Colombian Congress endorsed a modified agreement worked by the negotiation team, it took into account in a big portion the disagreements of the “no” defenders.

Peace to the Street Movement

Realizing the possible disastrous consequences of the rejection, a popular movement evolved that demanded the FARC and the government to continue the negotiations, while taking into account the arguments of the people who voted “No” and effectively achieve an end of the conflict. Part of this popular movement was Peace to the Street that organized discussions on the streets, trying to overcome differences between both sides by focusing on the common desire for peace. In the current scenario where the Peace Agreement has been endorsed, the movement looks forward to actively monitoring its implementation.

Open Dialogue

In this context the members of Peace to the Street – The Netherlands want to organize an open dialogue which will allow the movement to maintain the political discussions in the conjuncture of process of peace in Colombia, it also will represent an opportunity to formulate other initiatives in order contribute to the social mobilization.
The conversation are going to discuss about the following points:
* Peacebuilding perspectives addressed by three topics: FARC political participation; issues related with post-conflict
*Communication approaches and mass media contribution to peacebuilding

Volkseten Vegazulu is a people’s kitchen, every monday and thursday, all year long. Door opens at 7pm. Vegan food for 4€ or donation. All benefits go for social & political struggles. No reservation. In July and August, the people’s kitchen is closed on thursday.

We’re always looking for cooks. Any help is welcome in the kitchen. Experience not required. Enjoying it is a must. If you want to know which days are still available in the schedule, send an email to joe [at] squat [dot] net and book yourself the night. You can, of course, also participate by rolling up your sleeves and doing the dishes.

Vigil for Peace – PazAlaCalle Holanda

20161030_PAZALACALLE_VIGILIASunday 30th of October 2016, Vigil for Peace.
Simultaneous meeting at 12:00. Amsterdam – Brussels – Havana

In Colombia we’re going through a transcendental time for the peace that could end an armed conflict of 52 years.
Next week thousands of citizens will visit the guerrilla’s camps in Colombia to support the peace deal and defend the ceasefire between guerrilla and government.
The Colombian citizens in The Netherlands and Belgium want to support this initiative. Everybody is welcome to join us and enjoy a cup of hot chocolate with us!
At 12:00 (noon) we will have a chat with a guerrilla peace negotiator to discuss about the peace treaty, post-conflict and the role of the citizenship in the peace process.
Bring and share your questions!
At 21:00 we will present the Colombian film “Los Viajes del Viento” (The Wind Journeys)
Hope to see you there!

PazALaCalle en Amsterdam: Es la paz posible en Colombia?

Thursday October 27th 2916, PazALaCalle en Amsterdam: Es la paz posible en Colombia? Volkseten Vegazulu, 7pm

Invitación a todo el público interesado en apoyar la Paz en Colombia a conversar.
Ven a charlar!
Menú Colombiano!

Context: In October 9th of 2016 the Colombian community in the Netherlands gathered in the first Assambly of PazAlaCallein this country, an initiative to mobilize citizens (Colombians and non-Colombians) who seek the end of the armed conflict between the FARC guerrilla and the Colombian government, defending the Peace Agreements formulated in La Habana, Cuba. The people who participated want to create an agenda for the defense of the Peace Agreements through social mobilization and participation.

In this context was born the idea of doing an event (Conversatorio/Open dialogue) to discuss the current scenario through the participation of the attendants and make interventions in the public sphere to create consciousness about the situation. […Lees verder]