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Communication training for human rights groups in Colombia |
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By Maria Teresa Aveggio, Programme Manager, WACC
Consequences of violence made visible through communication training 
| | Some 200 community leaders working in the area of Nariño in south western Colombia received communication training thanks to a project implemented by Fundación de Desarrollo y Paz (FUNDEPAZ) with support from WACC’s Communication Rights programme.
The training workshops involved communication officers from human rights organisations in Ipiales, Tumaco and Pasto. The project sought to address the effects of armed conflict upon local people: the violation of their human rights, displacement of families and communities, and increased poverty brought about by conflict. Nariño, near the border with Ecuador, is an area of coca production and a place of intense conflict between guerrillas and paramilitaries.
| Illustrating the recurring circle of violence
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Participants refreshed and extended their radio, TV and internet skills and using free software set up a network and documentation system for human rights abuses in the area.  | | As a result of this project the communities’ capacity to help mend the social fabric torn by constant violence and human rights abuses was significantly strengthened. Participants decided to create a Citizens’ Communicators Network and as an initial step they signed a memorandum of intent. The group is scheduled to meet during the month of March to review the work done so far. Fifteen organisations have joined the network.
| | Women play act some of the violence inflicted in their communities | | |
Through the project, the consequences of violence and conflict among the most vulnerable communities, such as indigenous and people of Afrodescent, as well as children and women in the region have become more visible to the community at large. FUNDEPAZ reports a marked increase in social leadership and community participation of these sectors as well as a much better level of information circulation between the communities.
 | | As part of the WACC supported project FUNDEPAZ produced ‘Tools for the Exercise of Human Rights and the International Humanitarian Law’ a manual that provides user-friendly accessible information about human rights and how to claim them.
For more information about the project please contact:
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| Women discussing human rights violation in their communities
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WACC promotes communication as a basic human right, essential to people's dignity and community.
The World Association for Christian Communication is a UK Registered Charity (number 296073) and a Company registered in England and Wales (number 2082273) with its Registered Office at 71 Lambeth Walk, London SE11 6DX. It is an incorporated Charitable Organisation in Canada (number 83970 9524 RR0001) with its head office at 308 Main Street, Toronto ON, M4C 4X7.
