FOR Volunteer Team Training - March 17-22, 2009
Peace Presence | VolunteerVolunteer in Colombia
Training in San Francisco, March 17 through 22, 2009
The Colombia Peace Presence is an accompaniment project begun in the Peace Community of San José de Apartadó, one of several rural communities in Colombia that have taken an extraordinary stand against war by refusing to support any armed group. FOR also has a team in Bogotá to support this accompaniment and to highlight other Colombian grassroots peace initiatives that youth, rural communities and others are building around the country. Volunteers serve for at least twelve months. FOR seeks committed and skilled volunteers, 23 years or older at the time of service, with sound judgment and proficient in Spanish.
Upcoming Delegations to Colombia
Delegations
Youth Arts and Action Delegation to Colombia March 27 - April 6th,
This delegation builds on last year’s dynamic Youth Arts and Action delegation and the fall 2008 Drop Beats Not Bombs Tour. In spring 2009 the FOR Colombia and Youth & Militarism Programs invite youth and youth allies as we continue to expand the network of youth in the US and Colombia who are seeking creative ways to resist militarism.
Delegation to San Jose Peace Community, Medellin and Eastern Antioquia August 15-29
Witness the incredible commitment and experience of the Peace Community of San José and other Colombian grassroots initiatives. $1500 from Bogotá.
FOR Colombia Peace Update New Years 2009
NewsletterStand up against Colombian government spying on nonviolent organizations!
Call on the State department to act and make a donation to ensure that this vital peace work continues.
FOR and Colombian Groups' Emails Intercepted by Colombian Police
Colombian Agencies used US Funding and Surveillance Software
FOR has learned that Colombian government agencies intercepted more than 150 email accounts of human rights defenders, trade union leaders, labor organizations, academics and journalists, including two FOR email accounts.
Fourteen US organizations sent letters to US Ambassador William Brownfield and to
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Drop Beats Not Bombs: Resisting Militarism Through Creative Action
Speaking Tours
“[Invincible is] One of the most talented emcees I've ever heard black or white, male or female..."
-Talib Kweli
Speaking, Workshop and Hip Hop tour, November 2008
Check out our ITINERARY.
The Tour: Who, What, and Why?
Fellowship of Reconciliation’s (FOR) Nonviolent Youth Collective (NVYC) and Colombia program, in collaboration with the Not Your Soldier Project and are putting on a Hip-Hop tour with Colombian and U.S. conscientious objectors (COs) to the military.
Army officers fired for killings received US training and assistance
29 October 2008
Colombian President Alvaro Uribe announced the dismissal today of 27 military officers, including three generals and 11 colonels and lieutenant colonels, for human rights abuses. The abuses include involvement in the killings of dozens of youths who were recruited in Bogotá slums and shortly after were reported as killed in combat by the army, hundreds of miles away.
The dismissal is a positive action, which we applaud. Officers responsible for killing civilians must face consequences, or the killing will continue.
Local Activist Braved the Bay To Raise Funds
Local Actions
On Sunday October 19 at 8 a.m. Adriana Usuga, currently a resident of San Francisco and originally from Medellin, Colombia swam the 4th annual Treasure Island to YMCA Bay Bridge open water swim. She raised $1,000 to support the Peace Community of San Jose de Apartado and the Fellowship of Reconciliation's Colombia Program. She completed her swim in one hour and 15 minutes - yea Adriana!
Thanks so much to Adriana, to her sponsors, and to Salesforce.com, who matched the pledges of individual sponsors for $500.
