Peace is Possible is an LWR Study Tour connecting courageous peacemakers of Colombia with caring advocates in churches and communities across the U.S. We continue to be greatly enriched by our experiences together. Our Colombian partners provide incredible examples of what it means to live out the gospel call for love, mercy, compassion and justice, and we are inspired by the creative ways in which U.S. communities put faith into action and advocate for peace and justice in Colombia.
February 10 |
Group Orientation, Houston, TX
Meet your tour leaders, LWR Public Policy & Advocacy staff members who will review country protocol, lead team-building exercises and explain how you can take your trip experience home to continue advocating for LWR’s work in Colombia
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February 11 |
First Full Day in Bogota, Colombia
Bogota, the capital city located in central Colombia sits on a mountain-rimmed plateau high in the Cordillera Oriental of the Andes Mountains. On this first day in Colombia, spend some time resting before your journey begins.
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February 12 |
Country overview
Colombia has endured armed internal conflict for more than 50 years. Learn of the devastating effect this ongoing conflict has had on millions who have been forced from their homes and livelihoods to face an uncertain future. Join Bishop Sigifredo of the Lutheran Church in Colombia for dinner.
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February 13 |
Visit the LWR Colombia office and learn details
of LWR’s work with partners
LWR has been working in Colombia since the late ’90s developing advocacy strategies for ecumenical networks and partners to advocate for the rights and interests of internally displaced persons.
Explore Bogota later in the afternoon, a city with a great variety of tourist places, and a combination of colonial buildings and skyscrapers. Visit the La Candelaria zone, with several museums, cultural scenery and art exhibitions.
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February 14 |
Depart to Bucaramanga
Bucaramanga, the capital of the Santander province, is northeast of Bogota in the scenic valley of the Río de Oro. It is rooted deeply in colonial history. Visit the headquarters of CORAMBIENTE (Healthy Environment Corporation). This LWR partner works with families who’ve been displaced by the armed conflict and have resettled to re-establish their livelihoods.
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February 15 |
Project visit with CORAMBIENTE
Meet displaced families who relocated on the granjas solidarias (farms of solidarity). LWR and CORAMBIENTE provide assistance for 18 peasant farm communities through advocacy with local and regional governments, and help the farmers establish best practices for production and marketing of organic foods.
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February 16 |
Depart to Bogotá
Return once again to LWR’s office in Colombia. Meet an advocacy group made up of area nonprofits and church groups that meets monthly to discuss current issues of internally displaced persons. (Group includes representatives from American Friends Service Committee, Lutheran World Federation, Catholic Relief Services, Heks, Witness for Peace.)
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February 17 |
Depart to Cartagena
Cartagena is located on Columbia’s Caribbean coast, a unique city filled with sun, sea and history. Meet LWR partners from the Montes de Maria area. Learn about their work with Latino-Mestizo, Afro-Colombian, and other indigenous communities.
In the evening, enjoy an Afro-Colombian song and dance performance of “Palenque.” It epitomizes the racial and cultural pride of its strong African identity more than 250 years after it was founded by runaway slaves.
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February 18 |
Project visit with partner Solidarity Development Corporation (CDS).
See how LWR and CDS work with 62 community leaders (21 of whom are women) to support ten local organizations. LWR and CDS promote citizen participation especially by women and youth in various farming and animal raising projects. It’s designed to encourage them to remain in the area instead of migrating to overcrowded cities.
Return to Cartagena/Visit to the Old City
The old walled city has changed very little in recent times. Its winding streets are lined with Spanish Colonial architecture with colorfully painted buildings are delightful.
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February 19 |
Project visit with partners Red Ecumenica (Ecumenical Network), the National Association of the Displaced from Colombia-Barranquilla (ANDESCOL) and the The Jorge Artel Corporation. Participants will learn how LWR partners improve the lives of displaced farmers in the areas of la Bonga (Palenque) en el Caribe Colombiano.
Return to Cartagena
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February 20 |
Depart to Sincelejo
Meet partner Sembrando Paz (Sowing Seeds of Peace.) LWR is supporting three Peace Sanctuary Churches of Peace located in Peniel in Zambrano, Cristo el Rey en Tierralta, and Remanso de Paz in Sincelejo. These three churches were participants in the recently-completed Ford Foundation-supported advocacy project that established links between the Peace Sanctuary Churches and six faith-based communities in the Midwest United States.
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February 21 |
Visit Peace Sanctuary Churches in Cristo el Rey
These congregations boldly pursue peace, feed the hungry, shelter the displaced, establish new economies, and open dialogues to reconcile relationships. The current project directly supports 157 families (785 people) in the three church communities, through small projects in agriculture, livestock, and commerce.
Depart to Bogota
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February 22 |
Depart to United States
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*Note: This itinerary is tentative and subject to change.
Frequent flyer miles may be earned but it is not possible to redeem them for the flights on this trip. We apologize for the inconvenience.
