LWR COLOMBIAN PARTNERS
LWR partners with a rich variety of church, humanitarian, human rights and development organizations. They are responding to the devastation of over four decades of war by rebuilding the social fabric in Colombia through trust, faith, development, and promoting the dignity and hope in every person. Colombian partner organizations use their diverse areas of expertise to:
- respond to the crisis of internal displacement
- support leaders and communities who are forging new pathways for peace
- create viable development projects
- respond to the biblical call to care for the most vulnerable while prophetically speaking out for peace and justice.
CODHES (link in Spanish)
The Council for Human Rights and Displacement (CODHES) conducts research,
publishes reports, and works directly with affected communities to ensure that the crisis of
internal displacement in Colombia is not forgotten. Media communications, community
trainings, and domestic and international advocacy are all tools used by CODHES to raise the
profile of the internally displaced population, and ensure protection of all civilians in Colombia.
CORAMBIENTE
LWR’s newest partner is CORAMBIENTE, a well-designed program that will increase food security and organizational capacity of 98 displaced families who have been resettled on 9 farms in the departments of Santander and Norte de Santander in Colombia. This project adds a more development-focused intervention, which will help meet the socioeconomic needs of displaced people in Colombia, to our advocacy and human rights programs. LWR and CORAMBIENTE will help these families to (a) establish their farms as viable, commercial enterprises, (b) ensure that 50 percent of nutritional needs are met through on-farm production (note that rest of nutritional needs are met by non-farm income as well as donations), (c ) manage 3 rotating funds, (d) strengthen the internal management and controls of the collective farms, and (e) strengthen the organizational development of the implementing partner, CORAMBIENTE.
JUSTAPAZ (link in Spanish)
The Christian Center for Justice, Peace and Active Non-Violence is a ministry of the
Mennonite Church of Colombia. Justapaz supports numerous initiatives to promote nonviolence,
peacebuilding, and the transformation of conflict on local, regional and national levels.
They serve churches, displaced and marginalized populations, and base all of their work on a
strong biblical foundation.
IELCO (link in Spanish)
The Evangelical Lutheran Church in Colombia supports development projects, and
through its office of Justice and Life is a key leader within the Protestant community, speaking
out for peace and the protection of vulnerable communities. IELCO supports lay and clergy
leaders across the country and provides emergency food, housing, trainings, and counseling
during natural or war-related crises.
RED ECUMENICA
The Ecumenical Network includes churches and Christian organizations that
support communities and groups victimized by violence facing Colombia, especially displaced
persons. Biblical analysis, pastoral accompaniment, and faithful discernment lead their political
advocacy, prophetic statements, and direct support of communities at risk for the purpose of
promoting the dignity and human rights of all.
LIMPAL
Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom of Colombia works with women,
particularly displaced women, to provide training in human rights, crafts production and
marketing, and in understanding current political, social and familial conditions. Led entirely by
volunteers, LIMPAL has broken new ground in building friendships between historically
impoverished and displaced women, to gradually improve the wellbeing of the community.
CEDECOL (link in Spanish)
Federated Council of Evangelical Churches of Colombia unites the voice of the
evangelical church. They partner with LWR to document and research the impact of the social
ministries of the church in work with displaced communities who the church assists in
reestablishing livelihoods.
PEACE SANCTUARY CHURCHES
is a movement of churches supported by Justapaz and others
to empower communities to practice active non-violence, transform conflicts, and promote
structures and lifestyles that promote just and sustainable peace. Churches name themselves
Peace Sanctuaries and love all of the neighbors in need who seek their assistance. Using their
gifts, talents, and needs, they develop income generation projects, take measures to protect the
vulnerable, and take bravely prophetic stands for non-violence in conflicted and dangerous areas.
SAL Y LUZ
Three Peace Sanctuary Churches and six U.S. faith communities have entered into a
unique partnership to support the work for peace in Colombia. They share the important
successes in peacemaking and development that have been accomplished by the Peace Sanctuary
Churches. Throughout the partnership communities support one another to do advocacy and
share the new understandings about peacemaking that have been named by the Peace Sanctuary
Churches with local, regional and national church communities and political leaders.
