C olumbia: Nonviolence at the Service of Civilian Autonomy
Presentation by Duane Ediger of Christian Peacemaker Teams

August 20, 2005  -  1:30 pm-

 

The evolution of armed conflict in Columbia over the last half century has deepened the social neglect and forms of exclusion that helped to spawn it.  Civilian attempts to build a healthy society face long odds and sometimes daily threats.

 

Christian Peacemaker Teams (CPT) is one of a number of international organizations offering accompaniment and nonviolent intervention to improve those odds by directly addressing the threats.  After facilitating the return and reestablishment of displaced rural civilian communities, CPT’s ongoing accompaniment has sought to open spaces for those civilians to shape their destiny even as opposing armed groups vie for control of the region and its resources.

 Among the topics to be addressed in the August 20 presentation are the following:

   -how active, on-the-ground peacemaking skills are being put to use (this will include a role play involving  some or all of those present in recreating a conflict situation involving an armed group, civilians and nonviolent interveners).

 

Mr. Ediger will also draw on his experiences in other conflict settings (North America, Haiti, Chiapas and the Middle East) in naming the relative strengths and weaknesses inherent in the use of violent and nonviolent instruments.  Illustrations will show how nonviolence can interact in violent situations, unhinging expectations and reframing hope, victory and defeat.

The Institute is located at 6676 122^nd Ave in Ganges, MI, (3 miles south of Saugatuck, I-196 – exit #34, Fennville  .   For directions or information, please contact Joan Morris at 616-735-9333 or the Institute at 269-543-3951
Suggested Donation:  $10.00, $5.00 Students