The Colombian Social Foundation, CEDAVIDA, is a non-governmental organization
working for the development and full exercise of Human Rights in Colombia.
In twelve years of work it has implemented a variety of plans and programs
aimed at spreading and promoting respect for Human Rights among adults,
young persons, teachers, community leaders, community and young offenders
policemen, and the displaced population throughout the country. It is carrying
out a long-range psychosocial support program for sectors of society affected
by the country's political violence, particularly displaced children, through
the "Peace Building Communities". It also provides psychological
support for persons who have suffered torture, and those affected by the
armed struggle. CEDAVIDA does work in Bogotá, Villavicencio, Barrancabermeja,
Apartadó, Chigorodó, Turbo and Soacha.  The experience accumulated in the first few years revealed that a comprehensive work with the displaced families was needed, to cover aspects that require priority attention including health, education and employment. An institutional intervention scheme was devised to address these issues, called "PEACE BUILDING COMMUNITIES" (PBC). CEDAVIDA has published a number of works on displacement and political violence in Colombia, with the support of national and international institutions. The Foundation was honored this year in Colombia by the ALEJANDRO ANGEL ESCOBAR prize for solidarity, because of its innovative approach to the problem of violence. It also received the LUIS CARLOS GALÁN award for best community project. Internationally, it has won in the United States the ASHOKA prize. |
