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Peacebuilding en las Américas2025-09-29T05:05:41-04:00
Since its inception in 2002, Peacebuilding en las Américas (PLA) has offered support and training in the Alternatives to Violence Project (AVP). Today, AVP facilitators across Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras and Colombia have completed over 900 workshops with more than 4,000 participants in communities, hospitals, schools, churches, police departments and prisons. 

COLOMBIA

The Alternatives to Violence Project (AVP) program in Colombia is Peacebuilding en las Americás’ longest-running program and includes five regions throughout the country: Bogotá/Central, Atlantic coast, Northeast, West and Medellín/Antioquía.  Facilitators trained in Colombia began offering AVP workshops in 2006 and by 2016, had completed over 300 workshops, impacting more than 2,500 participants. Priority populations are youth and victim-survivors of the armed violence, 75% of whom are women.

Concentric Circles Colombia
Concentric Circles Colombia

COLOMBIA

The Alternatives to Violence Project (AVP) program in Colombia is Peacebuilding en las Americás’ longest-running program and includes five regions throughout the country: Bogotá/Central, Atlantic coast, Northeast, West and Medellín/Antioquía.  Facilitators trained in Colombia began offering AVP workshops in 2006 and by 2016, had completed over 300 workshops, impacting more than 2,500 participants. Priority populations are youth and victim-survivors of the armed violence, 75% of whom are women.

GUATEMALA

Peacebuilding en Las Américas began supporting the Alternatives to Violence Project (AVP) Guatemala program in 2007. Most of AVP Guatemala’s work focuses on youth, teachers, personnel in prisons, community leaders, and police officers. AVP Guatemala is active in nine municipalities across seven of the country´s 22  departments, running the majority of their workshops through organizational and educational alliances.

GUATEMALA

Peacebuilding en Las Américas began supporting the Alternatives to Violence Project (AVP) Guatemala program in 2007. Most of AVP Guatemala’s work focuses on youth, teachers, personnel in prisons, community leaders, and police officers. AVP Guatemala is active in nine municipalities across seven of the country´s 22  departments, running the majority of their workshops through organizational and educational alliances.

HONDURAS

Peacebuilding en las Americás introduced the Alternatives to Violence Project (AVP) in Honduras after the government coup in 2009. Through partnerships with women´s rights and faith-based organizations, Peacebuilding en las Américas supports workshops with students, church members, teachers, indigenous and Garifuna (Afro-Honduran) women, prison inmates, police officers, and community leaders.

HONDURAS

Peacebuilding en las Americás introduced the Alternatives to Violence Project (AVP) in Honduras after the government coup in 2009. Through partnerships with women´s rights and faith-based organizations, Peacebuilding en las Américas supports workshops with students, church members, teachers, indigenous and Garifuna (Afro-Honduran) women, prison inmates, police officers, and community leaders.

EL SALVADOR

Peacebuilding en las Americás supports the Alternatives to Violence Project (AVP) in El Salvador, beginning workshops in 2005. Workshops take place in 12 municipalities with over 17 organizations and churches. Facilitators focus work with youth in gang-dominated communities, prisons, war survivors, and people living with disabilities.

EL SALVADOR

Peacebuilding en las Americás supports the Alternatives to Violence Project (AVP) in El Salvador, beginning workshops in 2005. Workshops take place in 12 municipalities with over 17 organizations and churches. Facilitators focus work with youth in gang-dominated communities, war survivors, prisons, and people living with disabilities.

ECUADOR

Peacebuilding en Las Américas (PLA) expanded to Ecuador in 2018. Its partners are leaders in the Andean Highlands of the indigenous Kichwa women´s organization, Jambi Mascari, the women’s branch of a confederation of 41 rural communities, the Union of Peasant and Indigenous Organizations of Cotacachi (UNORCAC).  PLA works in collaboration with the Regional Foundation of Consultation on Human Rights (INREDH).

ECUADOR

Peacebuilding en Las Américas (PLA) expanded to Ecuador in 2018. Its partners are leaders in the Andean Highlands of the indigenous Kichwa women´s organization, Jambi Mascari, the women’s branch of a confederation of 41 rural communities, the Union of Peasant and Indigenous Organizations of Cotacachi (UNORCAC).  PLA works in collaboration with the Regional Foundation of Consultation on Human Rights (INREDH).

OTHER REGIONS

In 2018, PLA expanded to Ecuador, supporting AVP workshops for the first time with Jambi Mascari, an indigenous Kichwa women´s organization in the Andes. Additionally, one positive outcome of PLA work in the region has been the proliferation of AVP by the Sisters of Mercy, PLA´s counterpart in Honduras, with the intention to offer AVP to all interested Sisters and Associates throughout Latin America. As a result, Mercy Sisters and Associates from Guyana, Panama, Chile, Argentina, Belize and Peru have participated in AVP workshops.

OTHER REGIONS

In 2018, PLA expanded to Ecuador, supporting AVP workshops for the first time with Jambi Mascari, an indigenous Kichwa women´s organization in the Andes. Additionally, one positive outcome of PLA work in the region has been the proliferation of AVP by the Sisters of Mercy, PLA´s counterpart in Honduras, with the intention to offer AVP to all interested Sisters and Associates throughout Latin America. As a result, Mercy Sisters and Associates from Guyana, Panama, Chile, Argentina, Belize and Peru have participated in AVP workshops.

Recent Articles

El Salvador: Giving a special place to the important people in my life / Darle un lugar especial a las personas importantes en mi vida

September 29th, 2026|Articles, El Salvador, Peacebuilding en las Américas, Trauma Resiliency Workshops|

Guatemala: Sowing Hope and Protecting Childhood in Guatemala / Sembrando esperanza y protegiendo a la niñez en Guatemala

September 22nd, 2026|Articles, Guatemala, Peacebuilding en las Américas|

Colombia: Please support the healing and rebuilding following the devastating earthquake / Colombia: Por favor, apoye la recuperación y la reconstrucción tras el devastador terremoto

September 8th, 2026|Articles, Colombia|

Cuba: Reinventing the Sacred Art of Coming Together / Cuba: Reinventar el arte sagrado del encuentro

September 2nd, 2026|Alternatives to Violence Project, Articles, Cuba, Cultures of Justice and Peace, Peacebuilding en las Américas|

Peacebuilding en las Américas People

REGIONAL TEAM OFFICERS
Founder, Val Liveoak, South Central Yearly Meeting
Clerk, Shirley Way, New York Yearly Meeting
Recording Clerk, Saskia Schuitemaker, Aotearoa-New Zealand Yearly Meeting
Financial Specialist. Andy Cross, North Pacific YM
Spanish-English Interpreter, Brucie Hawkins
PLA Co-Coordinators, Salomón Medina and Lorena Escobar

REGIONAL COUNTRY & PROGRAM COORDINATORS
Honduras Coordinator, Ondina Murillo
Guatemala Coordinator, Lorena Escobar
Colombia Coordinator, Patricia Gloria Duque
AVP-Colombia Coordinator, Isaí Romero
Ecuador Coordinator, Beatriz Villareal
Colombia Coordinator, Karina Cuesta Jiménez

REGIONAL SUPPORT TEAMS
Nominations Team, VACANT
YM Representatives Contact, VACANT
Communications Member, Lorena Escobar
Finance/Legal Team Member, VACANT
Nominations Team Member, VACANT
Peace Ministries Team Member, Lorena Escobar
Resource Sharing Team Member, Lorena Escobar

YEARLY MEETING REPRESENTATIVES
Aotearoa/NZ, Saskia Schuitemaker
New England YM, Em McManamy
New York YM, John Scardina
Southeastern YM, Cecilia Yocum

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