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Cali (Fides Service) - An International Symposium for Restorative Justice and Peace in Colombia organised by the Fundacion Paz y Bien, Fundacion Alvaralice, the Pontificia Universidad Javeriana and the Corporacion Exelencia en la Justicia, with the support of USAID US agency for international development will be held at the Universidad Javeriana, in Cali, Colombia from 9 to 12 February.
The objectives, as we read in a note sent to Fides, include: peaceful solution of problems at the root of the deterioration of Colombian society; ways to end conflict in Colombia using as a model Restorative Justice aimed at healing relations damaged by criminal acts through a process of reconciliation, reparation and forgiveness involving victims and aggressors with the mediation of the community.
Church and secular personalities expected to attend include the President of Colombia Álvaro Uribe Vélez, Cardinal Pedro Rubiano, President of the Bishops’ Conference of Colombia, Archbishop Luis Augusto Castro, Vice president of the National Conciliation Commission; Luis Caslos Restrepo, High Commission for Peace; three Nobel Peace prize winners (Rigoberta Menchú, Archbishop Desmond Tutu and Jose Ramos Horta and at least twenty international experts in conflict solving such as Daniel Pecaut, Decland Roche, Malcon Deas, Tokyo Sexwale, Salomón Lerner Febres, William Vendley, Renate Winter and Jean Zermatten.
As part of the Symposium there will be an ecumenical and interreligious Prayer Service for peace in Colombia presided by Anglican Archbishop Tutu on 9 February at 6pm on San Antonio Hill in Cali, with the participation of representatives of local Catholic, Lutheran, Anglican Churches and local Jewish, Muslim and Buddhist communities.
Another important initiative will be an exhibition of photographs “Images to counter oblivion” at the Tertulia Museum in Cali. Visitors will see more than 300 photographs illustrating difficult times during recent years in Colombia and communities most affected by the violence of armed gangs. The exhibition reflects the colours of war and the hope of movements for peace. The aim is to put a face on the conflict, leave a mark on memory to increase awareness and encourage reflection. The objective is to remember the past, fight for peace and never let history repeat itself.
Daily conferences will be followed by a plenary assembly for in depth reflection. There will also be discussion with international experts and a series of workshops and simultaneous round table discussions on the most concrete aspects of emerging problems. (RZ) (Agenzia Fides 2/2/2005; righe 35, parole 455)
