Between 30 and 1 December this year, civil society met in the Aula Magna of the Catholic University and at the University of Arts, to share experiences and discuss how to face the violence that oppresses us and build communities of peace.

The spaces used were full of people from popular neighborhoods, the Academy, civil society organizations, sports clubs, theaters and cultural expressions, municipalities and public companies, international collaborators, UN representatives, human rights organizations and various churches. Everyone used their right to speak and listen, which is also a duty…

Democracy and the future

There was a significant participation of young and elderly people. Most were women. Two Colombian speakers, Miriam Orozco and Sofía Botero, made significant contributions from their experience.

Several events marked the before and after in the realization of these events, mostly solemn and often distant. It was the passion with which he intervened; the desire to build a different reality. And the overflowing emotions that overwhelmed the exhibitors and participants. In a few moments they both burst into tears and hugged each other. And it’s good, because emotions should be expressed without fear or shame. They are part of our lives and should not be left out when we build solutions, because we are not robots, controlled by chance and circumstances.

Lawyers vs. shades

Along with the main conferences, there were two highlights. It was when two young people, one aged 16 and the other aged 14, headed towards the hall. Both from popular sectors. The first scolded us for living the reality we live of poverty, marginalization, insecurity, with a voice that does not need a microphone and an infectious gallantry that made us stand up and say this is how it goes, together we will change this disaster. Immediately afterwards, a shy young man with a curly head and a white T-shirt approached the podium with a whisper in his voice that suggested the worst after the harangue of his predecessor. He lowered his head, did not look at us and had difficulty articulating his message. But we understood that he suffered because he was despised for being different, because he was not respected and almost despised. And he told us that he belonged to a group of drummers. And that there he found friends and comrades from all over the city and wherever he was, that beating the drums and going out into the streets of the city was his safe place. And that every beat on the drum expressed anger towards those who died, towards those who had to leave, towards the injustice of a society that does not give them safe schools, nor how to take care of themselves, nor teaches them love.

And immediately after that, the batucada entered the central passage with serious and concentrated faces, young men and women, led by their teacher whose daughter danced to the rhythm, stood in front of the auditorium and held a concert lasting several minutes, hitting hard .. and the harmony of their drums: marginalization, corruption, death and apathy. And they shouted with a cry from within, their cry for freedom and justice.

We must conquer fear over hope. (OR)