Peacebuilding and Reconciliation Program

Trust projects work to build capacity and develop skills within neighborhoods and communities to resolve problems and/or conflicts in a peaceful manner that shift from adversarial approaches toward cooperative solutions. The Trust receives technical support in developing its peacebuilding programs from the well respected OAS Office for the Prevention and Resolution of Conflicts (OPRC), which carries substantial experience in the development and institutionalization of national capacity to conduct political dialogue processes and prevent and resolve conflicts.

Projects:

The Trust is working with Corporacion Galan, a respected Colombian NGO, to execute a public information campaign to assist communities affected by the demobilization process. Through community radio programs, workshops and other interventions, the program seeks to reduce community tension, acts of retribution and other social difficulties that arise as rebel groups are demobilized and re-integrated into their former communities.

Psychosocial Support and Transition (2004 - 2006)
Assistance for Veterans of the
Colombian Armed Conflict

This project provides disabled soldiers and other victims of the armed conflict in Colombia with the educational and psychological tools required to obtain employment and adjust back into civil society following their injuries. To this end, the project provides psychosocial support including counseling for post-traumatic stress disorder as well as computer training, job-readiness skills, and job placement assistance. The project is the first effort made in Colombia in this area of post conflict reinsertion into civil life for military veterans. This collaborative effort involves local universities, the business sector, the Colombian government, as well as support from our POETA program.