I would like to offer my warmest congratulations to the winner of the prize, the town of Mogotes. It is a patent example of how we Colombians can, if we really want it, take control of our destiny and prevent violent or corrupt people from deciding for us. ¡How much we have to learn from these brave Santandereans who have, through a Municipal Constituent Assembly of their own, built an oasis of peace and progress for the community! We could say the same about the peace communities of Urabá, the Nasa project or life plan of the indigenous communities of north Cauca, Toribío, and every one of the contestants. Their example shows us that peace has to be built day after day in our own environment, and according to the capacities of each of us.

The examples of Mogotes, Urabá, Toribío and others, confirm that negotiation... also means acting in harmony within our own municipalities, with our neighbors, within our families, with our colleagues.

From President Andrés Pastrana Arango's Speech on the occasion
of the National Peace Prize award ceremony, October 28, 1999.