COLOMBIA
Colombian church and faith organizations, with the support of global ecumenical organizations, are organizing an International Ecumenical Encounter for Peace in Colombia, from April 8-11 in Bogota.
The event’s goal is the construction of an interchurch agenda to strengthen faith participation and advocacy in the dialogue process currently taking place in Colombia and also contribute to the construction of a peace as a fruit of justice, as taught by the Bible.
The event will be attended by a wide range of representatives from diverse churches and Christian organizations in Colombia, community leaders who have been victims of violence and also construct peace initiatives, accompanied by faith organizations, along with guests with experiences in peace and reconciliation process in Central America and South Africa, among other countries.
The opening of the encounter will take place with a public conference on lessons learnt in international experiences of conflict resolution, April 8th at 6:00pm in the Luis Carlos Galan Auditorium, Calle 40 #8a in the Javeriana University.
Among those international guests who will participate in the opening and share their perspectives on church peacebuilding, and during the entire encounter, include: Bishop Emeritus Gunnar Stalsett who was the bishop of Oslo, Norway, Secretary General of the Lutheran World Federation, member of the Nobel peace prize selection committee and an ecumenical leader who contributed to the peace process in Central America.
Dr. John Nduna of the Episcopal Churches in Zambia, Secretary General of ACT Alliance. He has extensive experience in humanitarian work with refugees and displaced persons in Africa, peace processes and sustainable development worldwide.
The Rev. Gloria Ulloa, of the Presbyterian Church of Colombia and President from Latin America and the Caribbean for the World Council of Churches.
The Rev. Chris Ferguson of the United Church of Canada, Secretary General of the World Communion of Reformed Churches, who has worked in peace process in Central America, Africa and Ireland.
The Rev. Felipe Adolf, of the Lutheran Church of Ecuador and the President of the Latin American Council of Churches.
Pastor Harold Segura, a Colombian Baptist theologian and the director of church relations for World Vision International.
The Rev. Maake Masango, of the United Presbyterian Church of South Africa, was a member of the WCC Central Committee, is a professor of practical theology at Pretoria University and one of the leaders of the struggle against apartheid and for freedom in his country.
Bishop Medardo Gomez of the Lutheran Church of El Salvador, one of the ecumenical leaders of the peace process in his country.
The Rev. Vitalino Similox Indigenous pastor of the Presbyterian Church of Guatemala, Executive Secretary of the Guatemala Ecumenical Council and one of the leaders of the peace process in his country.
Dr. Hans Petter Buvollen, regional representative of the Danish Church Aid, experienced in conflict, peace and reconciliation process in several countries.
During the meeting state perspectives on the talks between the Colombian government and the guerrillas will be shared, along with experiences from civil society members who have participated in the negotiations in Havana, as well as churches and individuals who have contributed to peace processes and reconciliation globally.
A participatory methodology for horizontal dialogue will be developed to allow for the recognition of experiences of peace and reconciliation at the local, regional, national and international level. This will enable the collective construction of an agenda that enables churches and faith organizations to promote advocacy processes within the churches, both in their local contexts and nationally.
This event is supported by churches and international ecumenical organizations including : the Karibu Foundation of Norway, the World Council of Churches (WCC), ACT Alliance, the World Communion of Reformed Churches, Mennonite World Conference, CLAI, World Vision, CREAS, Global Ministries of the United Methodist Church, Global Ministries of the Disciples of Christ Churches, Religious Leaders Network of Chicago in the United States, Danish Church Aid, Lutheran World Federation Department for World Service -Program Colombia, Lutheran Church of Norway.
For more information, contact: Jenny Neme, Directora de Justapaz. jennyneme@justapaz.org; Cel: 301-605-6951 Milton Mejía, Coordinador Programa FEES-CLAI. miltonmej@gmail.com; Cel: 300-501-2399 Andrés Alba, Equipo DiPaz, andreas073@gmail.com; Cel: 304-412-1986