Survivor Corps in Colombia really exists through partnerships with local organizations. Three of the organizations are based in Bogotá and one is in Medellín, about 9 hours away by bus. The organization in Medellín is called Conciudadanía (CC). Jairo and I will visit Conciudadanía in a few weeks and soon I will be able to expand on their work from a first hand approach. For now, their website offers a look into the kind of organization CC is and what they are offering.
Towards its mission of rights for all, Conciudadanía promotes the strengthening of local democracy by means of exercising full citizenship for men and women and the process of learning peaceful coexistence based on respect of human rights. The name of the organization itself means “co-citizenship.
Survivor Corps and CC have worked together for two years. Since then, SC and CC have cooperated in two projects together: one on collective action for reconciliation and the other on the integration of the methodologies of SC, CC, and Bogotá based Fundación para la Reconciliación (Foundation for Reconciliation).
The collective action project has been implemented in three municipalities in the department of Antioquia to promote joint action for reconciliation between two survivor groups: victims of violence and demobilized agents of violence.
I’m excited to visit Conciudadania and find out more about the people that make this organization run!
Posted By Lindsey Crifasi
Posted Jun 30th, 2009