Quarterly Report: The Laboratories

The project's training component focused on improving relationships between actors through recognition of "the other," identification of stereotypes and prejudices, peaceful conflict resolution, negotiation skills, and construction of new understandings of conflict. The project's team developed an active pedagogical approach to develop selected competencies, designing EPA (Encuentros para Aprender) training workshops based on the associates' interests and needs. EPA workshops were designed to strengthen skills for relating to others, dialogue in a constructive way, and performing better in daily activities. The team also started designing the dialogue component, based on each region's characteristics, and organized the first dialogue space called ECO (Espacios para Conversar) as an interactive space to approach, recognize, and talk to each other as human beings. In Buenaventura, five training activities were developed between October and December 2018 with communities and local authorities. Three of the activities consisted of social trainings, and two were technical trainings. The social trainings focused on conflict resolution and negotiation, communication skills and conflict resolution, and leadership skills, with a total of 97 associates participating. The technical trainings focused on collective and ethnic rights and mechanisms of participation and prior consultation, with a total of 85 associates participating. The project's activities in Buenaventura took place in a context of institutional crisis and violence. The city had been without a mayor for six months, and a new mayor was finally designated in December 2018. The mayor's focus on providing water and health services, transparency, and fighting corruption was seen as a positive step by local people. However, opinions were divided, and a general sense of relief was perceived. The project's activities also took place in a context of exacerbating violence and new illegal armed groups, with multiple violent actions reported in the city. The project's social trainings aimed to promote teamwork, achieve common goals, and transform stereotypes and prejudices. The technical trainings focused on developing competencies related to collective and ethnic rights and mechanisms of participation and prior consultation. The project's activities were designed to foster the abilities and generate capacities of the associates, promoting construction of new understandings of themselves, others, and the conflict. The project's dialogue component was designed to approach, recognize, and talk to each other as human beings. The ECO dialogue spaces were organized to articulate ludic activities with dialogue opportunities, allowing the associates to identify what is important and meaningful for them, what they have in common, and what makes them special. The project's activities were designed to prepare for the dialogue and cooperation component, aiming to promote a culture of peace and reconciliation in the regions.