Come hear the stories of two individuals who have been personally impacted by political violence in Colombia, and who have dedicated their lives to achieving a peacefully negotiated “Humanitarian Accord” to end the decades of civil conflict in Colombia.
Consuelo González de Perdomo has devoted her entire life to political and social work in the department of Huila. Most recently she was elected to serve in the Colombian Congress. As a member of Congress she was kidnapped on September 10, 2001, by the FARC. For 6 years and 4 months she was part of a group of hostages who the guerrillas proposed to release in the “humanitarian accord.” On January 10, 2008, she was unilaterally released by the FARC, yet from that day on she has said that she will not be free until all those who continue to suffer the tragedy of kidnapping have returned to their homes.
Gustavo Moncayo, a high school teacher from the southern province of Nariño, led a walk of approximately 600 miles through Colombia to promote the “humanitarian accord” to secure the release of the many persons, including his son Pablo Emilio. Prof. Moncayo is widely known as "The Peace Walker" in Colombia for his efforts in raising awareness of the hostage situation in Colombia and promoting a politically negotiated solution to this country's protracted internal armed conflict. He is in the US to raise awareness of the plight of the hostages and to ask US policymakers and civil society to work with Colombians for an end to the conflict.
MON. SEPT. 29th, 10-11:30am
University of Minnesota
Wulling Hall—Room 250
86 Pleasant St. SE, Mpls.
Event hosted by: the College of Education and Human Development
Speaking tour sponsored by: United Steelworkers Associate Member Program, Lutheran World Relief and Witness for Peace-Upper Midwest.
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