COLOMBIA REFLECTION: The awaited time
mayo 27th, 2009
in:
CPTnet
27 May 2009
COLOMBIA REFLECTION: The awaited time
by Sandra Milena Rincón
(translated by Chris Knestrick)
[Note: Rincón is the Colombia Project Support Coordinator. CPT’s first training in Colombia for Colombian nationals will begin on 5 June 2009.]
Today, I received another email from one of the twelve Colombians invited to the upcoming CPT training that said, “Yes, I am ready to participate, thank you.” These Colombians are ready to make real a long-awaited dream: expanding CPT’s perspective on peace work and training beyond white North American culture and the English language.
What does this training mean for CPT? It is part of a larger process of analyzing and discerning our role as followers of Christ in the world—a world where armed violence is only the most visible part of a deadly iceberg built from forms of violence that have as their objective control of resources and the exploitation of human beings.
CPT would not have come to this point without the work of local communities confronting violence in different places around the world. They have given us an opportunity to stand with them in their nonviolent struggle to change their realities. These local peacemakers include shepherds of Palestine, the indigenous of Canada and Colombia, the displaced communities of Kurdistan (Northern Iraq), the farming and mining communities in Colombia, and many other communities that have welcomed us over the last twenty-five years, even when they had doubts about our work and motives.
These peacemakers have given us a task: to work for the transformation of the policies and structures that oppress and violate their communities. Such efforts cannot be successfully carried out by a small group of people with good intentions. The work must be undertaken in conjunction with grassroots communities and organizations that are convinced that nonviolence is a viable option for creating peace.
For CPT, and for the other communities and organizations we work with, the task includes a serious analysis of the roots of structural violence, racism, sexism, heterosexism, etc., and how they are perpetuating unjust economic policies and imperialism. More importantly, it requires CPT to have a willingness to become vulnerable, humble, and to transform itself.
CPT, an ecumenical community, has crossed many roads, committing many errors and experiencing moments of joy on the way. Now, we are crossing onto a new road that will take us beyond collaboration with local communities in conflict zones to including substantial numbers of local peacemakers within CPT itself.
The Colombians who will become CPTers after training have committed their entire lives to justice and peace. Surely, these people will extend the vision and mission of CPT. Each one of them brings perspective and experience that will enrich the organization. I am confident that this group will feel like CPT is their community.
Each communication with the training applicants encourages me to believe that my CPT community is advancing, although slowly, in the walk to be an organization more inclusive and diverse. I hope that CPT understands that to collaborate in the construction of peace is long and slow work; it must regard everyone’s efforts and voices with solidarity and respect. The challenge for CPT is clear and large, but also enriching. Do CPT and you have the courage to unite and collaborate?
27 May 2009
COLOMBIA REFLECTION: The awaited time
by Sandra Milena Rincón
(translated by Chris Knestrick)
[Note: Rincón is the Colombia Project Support Coordinator. CPT’s first training in Colombia for Colombian nationals will begin on 5 June 2009.]
Today, I received another email from one of the twelve Colombians invited to the upcoming CPT training that said, “Yes, I am ready to participate, thank you.” These Colombians are ready to make real a long-awaited dream: expanding CPT’s perspective on peace work and training beyond white North American culture and the English language.
What does this training mean for CPT? It is part of a larger process of analyzing and discerning our role as followers of Christ in the world—a world where armed violence is only the most visible part of a deadly iceberg built from forms of violence that have as their objective control of resources and the exploitation of human beings.
CPT would not have come to this point without the work of local communities confronting violence in different places around the world. They have given us an opportunity to stand with them in their nonviolent struggle to change their realities. These local peacemakers include shepherds of Palestine, the indigenous of Canada and Colombia, the displaced communities of Kurdistan (Northern Iraq), the farming and mining communities in Colombia, and many other communities that have welcomed us over the last twenty-five years, even when they had doubts about our work and motives.
These peacemakers have given us a task: to work for the transformation of the policies and structures that oppress and violate their communities. Such efforts cannot be successfully carried out by a small group of people with good intentions. The work must be undertaken in conjunction with grassroots communities and organizations that are convinced that nonviolence is a viable option for creating peace.
For CPT, and for the other communities and organizations we work with, the task includes a serious analysis of the roots of structural violence, racism, sexism, heterosexism, etc., and how they are perpetuating unjust economic policies and imperialism. More importantly, it requires CPT to have a willingness to become vulnerable, humble, and to transform itself.
CPT, an ecumenical community, has crossed many roads, committing many errors and experiencing moments of joy on the way. Now, we are crossing onto a new road that will take us beyond collaboration with local communities in conflict zones to including substantial numbers of local peacemakers within CPT itself.
The Colombians who will become CPTers after training have committed their entire lives to justice and peace. Surely, these people will extend the vision and mission of CPT. Each one of them brings perspective and experience that will enrich the organization. I am confident that this group will feel like CPT is their community.
Each communication with the training applicants encourages me to believe that my CPT community is advancing, although slowly, in the walk to be an organization more inclusive and diverse. I hope that CPT understands that to collaborate in the construction of peace is long and slow work; it must regard everyone’s efforts and voices with solidarity and respect. The challenge for CPT is clear and large, but also enriching. Do CPT and you have the courage to unite and collaborate?
