The Konrad Adenauer Foundation -KAS- is a German political foundation with more than 50 years in Colombia cooperating in the strengthening of democratic institutions, respecting human rights advocacy, as well as the endorsement of regional integration, political formation and active citizen integration.

For KAS, working in territory is essential in the contribution of the consolidation of peace in Colombia. In that sense, we have been promoting peace initiatives and the construction of memory, in order to make known the reality of this country through the voices of the communities.

Therefore, the promotion of peacebuilding initiatives has been linked to our work since our arrival in the country. We believe that our mission –the strengthening of democracy and the rule of law– will not be possible at all as long as scenarios of inclusion, reparation and the work to dignify victims and other actors in the conflict are not promoted.

Hence, in a post-conflict outlook, one of the most important aspects is precisely the objective of the “Art for Reconstruction” project: to walk the path of reconciliation. With this project, where we cooperated along with Prolongar Foundation and USAID, we want to raise awareness and deliver input to the public opinion that will endorse peaceful coexistence and forgiveness environments. A long process, no doubt, also painful and complex, but of great importance for society, even more so in the historic juncture the country is going through.

In this context we are convinced that tools such as art can be a platform so throughout an exercise of memory making, constructive dialogues can be made preparing the common ground to forgiveness.

It is worth to highlight, that with this exercise we want to dignify the memory of victims like civilians, retired veterans of the Army and the Police and people in reintegration process, all survivors with various disabilities, who on many occasions have felt invisible.

This is why we wanted to develop seven visual stories with the testimonies of some of the participants which give an account of their transformation. Thanks to their testimonies we can be aware that reparation must be done fairly to these groups, without differences nor discriminations. Because beyond the physical sequels, there are emotional ones which are the most difficult to overcome and the reason behind the need to accompany this process.

In that sense, on behalf of KAS, we want to heighten all of those who participated in this initiative, the brave ones who lent us their voices and bet on reconciliation, and with their life stories they have also managed to raise awareness and mobilize all citizens.

We also like to thank Prolongar Foundation’s team, their director Maria Elisa Pinto and of course USAID. Thank you for your effort and commitment for it was possible to attain this project.

In particular we like to invite you to visit this web page, which contains five recommendations for policy makers and other post-agreement actors, among other things. With this microsite we begin to contribute to increase social awareness around this subject in the country, as well as highlight and heighten the victims.

Even though, the decision to forgive is individual, we are convinced that this project offers an opportunity so that Colombia can work even more on the reconstruction of truth and reconciliation.

Hubert Gehring

Representative of KAS in Colombia