Young people from different Christian churches from remote areas and from major urban centers in Nicaragua, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Colombia will be connected via internet tomorrow, August 28, to participate in the first on-line session of the International Diploma in Culture of peace, equity and sustainability.
The Diploma, part of the project “Emprendemos Paz” carried out by CREAS (1), with the support and in partnership with Christian Aid (2), is an initiative to build capacity for the promotion of cultural peace in young adult leaders from different churches in Central America and Colombia. “With this project, we aim to make the young people have a positive social role and can make a difference in building peace projects with equity from the perspective of faith,” said Humberto Shikiya, General Director of CREAS.
Meanwhile, Mara Manzoni Luz, Deputy Head of the Division of Latin America and the Caribbean Christian Aid, welcomed the launch of the diploma, noting: “We are confident that this Diploma will boost the renewal of the leadership of the churches. In times as complex as these, we live in a region that the faith-based organizations are called to give a deep testimony. This way, the young adults can express new energy and creativity in this process.”
The four-months diploma will take place through virtual and classroom sessions, and support the development of proposals that can be developed in the context of young adult participants. “Through the design and implementation of sustainable and replicable initiatives and projects, we look to strengthen the vocations of young adults in contributing to processes of social change,” said Humberto Shikiya.
“With this project, we aim to make the young people have a positive social role and can make a difference in building peace projects with equity from the perspective of faith,” said Humberto Shikiya, General Director of CREAS.
The pedagogical coordination of the Diploma will enable the use of ICT and social networks like Facebook and Twitter, to create a community of learning and practice, where the participants can exchange challenges and proposals online from a regional and inclusive perspective. It is noteworthy that 50% of young participants will be women.
With this training process, CREAS and its partners are committed to revitalize the action of church, broaden the approach of Christian youth, strengthen its leadership in the transformation of local communities and create opportunities to generate sustainable answers to face the challenging economic, political and social context of the region. (3)
This project is developed by CREAS in cooperation with universities and organizations in countries where the diploma will be implemented, including: University Corporation Reformed (Colombia),Mencoldes (Colombia), Justapaz (Colombia), Foundation University Baptist, University Maya Kaqchikel (Nicaragua), FUNVIPAZ of El Salvador, University Lutheran Salvadoran, Evangelic University Martin Luther King of Nicaragua and Honduras CASM.
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CREAS is a regional, ecumenical and multidisciplinary organization. Since 2000, carries out activities of cooperation, capacity building and knowledge production to generate and sustain processes of change in Latin America and the Caribbean. For more information about CREAS: http://www.creas.org / Follow us: www.facebook.com/CreasCentroEcumenico / https://twitter.com/CreasTwitt
Christian Aid is a global development organization based in the UK, as part of the movement for social justice, work for profound changes to eradicate the causes of poverty and achieve equality, dignity and freedom for all and all, regardless of their faith or nationality. For more information about Christian Aid visit http://www.christianaid.org.uk
CREAS and Christian Aid are members of the ACT Alliance, a global coalition of over 140 churches and church organizations, working together for humanitarian assistance, promotion and development. More details on https://stage.act.acw2.website
