The Culture of Peace, a Sense of Life

Ivon Cuervo - Posted on September 24, 2010

The option for peace that World Vision promotes guides the lives of children, adolescents and young people, away from the patterns of violence and aggression that they can find in the social context in which they live. In this story, Wilmer, 23, explains how his decision to help build a culture of peace and civic participation has impacted his life and the lives of people around him.

"In 1996, when the Movement of Children for Peace started in Colombia, [supported by several institutions, including World Vision], I was moved to participate, because we were invited to various trainings to grow to be peacemakers.

From there, I decided to continue working for the cause [of peace]. It has been a long journey to learn and help educate others. The Peace Builders did various activities to raise awareness in our neighborhoods and we found out that people are interested in working together to reach peace.

Now we are a very large group that operates in different cities across the country. We are good friends, and participate in local and national meetings where we talk about what we are doing in the places where we live.

Between 2004 and 2005 I participated in a course with other members of the Movement on Empowerment and Participation of Children.

For those who know me, I am a good example because I have not strayed from the path of good; although I have had many opportunities to take the wrong path, towards drugs or gangs in my neighborhood.

I know about a lot of young people who spend more time on the streets than they do at home. [They] do bad things and are not interested in studying or working. I have had the opportunity to advise them that if they continue to immerse themselves in that world, they are going to end up dead or in prison. I also invite them to take advantage of their free time. Some of them have joined the Peace Builders group, but others have preferred to follow the path of evil.

I almost cried when I received the news that the National Movement of Children for Peace was nominated for Nobel Peace Prize in1996. Last year, The Peace Builders Movement was nominated for an international peace prize of World Vision. I am thrilled to know that our work for peace is being recognized."

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