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.
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
Peacebuilding en las Américas People
Working Group
Clerk, Val Liveoak, South Central YM
Recording Clerk, Charles Rand
Treasurer, Harry Vanden
Saskia Schuitemaker
Shirley Way
Cecilia Yocum
Coordinator, Monica Maher
Communications Specialist, Allie Prescott
Financial Specialist, Andy Cross
El Salvador Coordinator, Salomon Medina
Honduras Coordinator, Ondina Murillo
Guatemala Coordinator, Lorena Escobar
Colombia Coordinator, Patricia Duque
