Human Rights Accompaniment in Colombia

  Colombia

Uraba

Duration of Program: 1-2 years
Typical Duration of Program: 1-2 years
Dates: ongoing

Description: San Jose de Apartado, located in Colombia's northern region of Uraba, is one of many communities in Colombia that have taken an extraordinary and nonviolent stand against war, by refusing to support any armed actor involved in Colombia's decades-long conflict. The community has suffered terribly from political violence, mostly by paramilitary groups supported by the Colombian Army, and remains a principle obstacle to the paramilitarys expansion of its violent project in the Uraba and Choco regions.

In March 2001, the Peace Community, whose central settlement of San Jose was accompanied by volunteers of Peace Brigades International, requested that the Fellowship of Reconciliation (FOR) work to establish a long-term accompaniment presence in the nearby settlement of La Union. La Union is the agricultural center of the Peace Community, and has been victim to repeated paramilitary attacks.

The FOR initiated its presence in La Union in February 2002, with two volunteers and added a team in Bogota in January 2005. FOR now seeks eager, committed, and skilled volunteers prepared to continue the accompaniment of this living example of nonviolent resistance and support the many other community based grassroots peace initiatives in Colombia.

Highlights: The FOR Accompaniment Project seeks to obtain these objectives through the following activities:

* Accompaniment of Peace Community: FOR observers will physically accompany members of La Unión in San Jose de Apartado, in the settlement and work areas, in order to strengthen their security. FOR observers may also accompany Peace Community members while they travel outside the community, and other settlements of San Jose on occasion. FOR observers carry out accompaniment on the basis of requests from the community.

* Reporting to International Community: FOR observers in San Jose report, including via public communications, on their experiences and what they learn to the international community, especially the United States. As resources permit, FOR will also report on peace initiatives in Colombia besides the Peace Community of San Jose de Apartado.

* Communication with Colombian U.S. and UN officials, CPP Advisory group, and human rights NGOs: FOR observers periodically communicate their presence and concerns to Colombian and U.S. authorities, to convey FOR's concerns related to the community and to learn from others? perspectives.

These activities are meant to be mutually reinforcing of each other.

Qualifications:
* A clear understanding of and commitment to nonviolence, and to the value of bearing witness through an accompaniment project.
* Proficiency in both Spanish and English.
* A strong commitment to teamwork, both in terms of working with one or more other FOR volunteers in the field, and in relation to the TFLAC staff and committees.
* We seek volunteers who will commit to serve for at least one year.
* Maturity. We do not accept applicants younger than 21 years of age. The maturity of all prospective volunteers, regardless of age, will be evaluated.
* Because of the political context of this work and its aims, U.S. citizens are strongly preferred.
* Resilience and the ability to work effectively under intense pressure and stress. It is recommended that volunteers cultivate habits of self-care to manage stress over extended periods of time.
* Sensitivity to and the ability to work with people of different cultures demonstrated through previous experience with people of another culture. Experience in the field is an asset, but is not required. Familiarity with rural communities is also helpful.
* Familiarity with consensus decision-making.
* A willingness to live simply.
* Ability to represent the project in a professional and appropriate manner, in a wide variety of settings.
* Ability to track and analyze information that is pertinent to the safety of volunteers, the need for external support, and/or the opportunities for enhancing the work.
* Ability to work with a computer, for word processing, e-mail, and basic maintenance of the computer itself.
* Reasonable proficiency with writing reports, summarizing information, and capturing stories through anecdotes or interviews, is highly recommended. Some familiarity with photography is recommended.
* The ability to keep basic accounts (bookkeeping) of expenses and transfers of funds.
* Other skills that may be useful but are not required include experience with first aid, translating and interpreting, cooking, and other skills of daily life.
* A good working knowledge of the current situation in Colombia is highly recommended.

Cost in US$: 0

Salary / Pay: Room and board, health insurance and $200/month stipend offered.

Experience Required: no

Typical Volunteer: Volunteers are mature, with a strong knowledge of Colombian and US Policy. Volunteers are committed to nonviolence.

Age Range: 21 +

This Program is open to World Wide Participants.

Participants Travel to Colombia Independently

Typically Participants Work in Groups

Application Process Involves:

• In-Person Interview when Feasible
• Letters of Reference
• Phone Interview
• Written Application

Post Services Include:

• Exit DebriefingAbroad
• Re-Entry Debriefing at Home

Fellowship of Reconciliation Task Force on Latin America and the Caribbean's Mission Statement: Since 1983, the FOR Task Force on Latin America and the Caribbean (TFLAC) has worked to build collaborative relationships between Latin American peace and justice groups with similar efforts in the United States, and to work for the demilitarization of U.S. policy in the region.

Year Founded: 1983

Fellowship of Reconciliation Task Force on Latin America and the Caribbean is a interfaith based organization. We do not require our participants to be of the same faith. Our volunteers will not be involved in religious proselytizing.