Elisa Diaz has helped shape terre des hommes schweiz's program work in Colombia for almost two decades as national coordinator. Now the experienced psychologist is about to retire. But that doesn't mean she's about to rest. What motivated you to join terre des hommes schweiz back then? Elisa Diaz: At the age of 12, I was already
Decades of armed conflict in Colombia have left deep scars on the population. Everyday life has long been characterized by violence, people have been displaced and farming communities destroyed. The family of 23-year-old farmer Luz Dey Aguirre also had to flee. But her story gives hope and shows that a dignified future is also possible in the countryside. Luz Dey Aguirre looks back
Social unrest has been raging in Colombia's major cities since the beginning of May. The government is fighting the protests brutally and with armed force. According to NGOs on the ground, more than 60 people have already died. The international community is alarmed and reiterates the concerns of the Colombian people and human rights and peace organizations. Members of the Swiss parliament demand in a letter that
Colombia is in the midst of a social, economic and political crisis. A controversial government tax reform has been the straw that broke the camel's back. Our partner organization Paz y Bien, which supports disadvantaged young people and their families in the Colombian city of Cali, is campaigning for the right to peaceful protest, for equal opportunities and the prospect of a life
Elodia Nieves Balanta (picture) heads the Paz y Bien Foundation in the Aguablanca district of the Colombian city of Cali, a poor district with 1 million people and a high Afro population. terre des hommes switzerland supports the charitable work of Paz y Bien in Aguablanca. 200 young people from 140 families are supported here so that they can find a path other than
In the shadow of the Corona crisis, a wave of violence is sweeping across Colombia. The region of Valle del Cauca, where terre des hommes schweiz works with young people to prevent violence, is also severely affected. Armed groups are murderously reaffirming their territorial claims there and eliminating political opponents. Only last week, gangs presumably killed five innocent young people. In June, a group of soldiers raped a 12-year-old girl. We demand that justice be done for these crimes and that the criminals do not go unpunished.
Yesterday, Colombia elected Ivan Duque as the new president for the term of office from 2018 to 2022. With the election of Duque, the peace process in the country is threatened with final failure. Ten Swiss development and human rights organisations are calling on Ivan Duque's government to continue the peace process it has begun and to work for the security and rights of all Colombian citizens.
Media communiqué of 18.06.2018
Event invitation:
The rejection of the referendum in Colombia has severely shaken legitimate hopes. Although the negotiating parties remain committed to the peace process, the failure of the referendum shows how deep the wounds of war are. How can peace be achieved now after all? The discussion event with Colombian representatives of the peace movement on 1 November in Basel will attempt to find answers to this question.
MM - Colombia's government and the FARC guerrillas today reached an agreement on a peace agreement that should put an end to more than 50 years of civil war. The NGOs of the Swiss peace promotion programme "Semillas de Esperanza" welcome the agreement as an important step, but at the same time stress that this is only the beginning.
At the beginning of September, 300 young people from Colombia will meet for two days. They will work together on three topics: Protection of the rights of young people, contribution of art and culture to peace and militarism. This conference, co-organised by us, is one of many events designed to give new impetus to the peace negotiations in Colombia.
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