Since 2005, Sembrandopaz has accompanied communities in Montes de María, rooted in the decades of peacebuilding experience of Director Ricardo Esquivia. Thanks to relationships of trust, delegations with Sembrandopaz offer honest, nuanced perspectives on the Colombian conflict and peacebuilding process. We welcome universities, faith groups, and other organizations to join customized visits that benefit both participants and local communities.
Challenging Dominant Narratives
Delegations provide immersive learning experiences where participants hear stories directly from those affected by conflict. These narratives often resist simplistic frameworks, encouraging critical reflection and deeper questions about Colombia’s complex reality.
Personal Exploration
Delegations foster cultural exchange, human connection, and personal growth. Participants often leave inspired by the resilience of communities facing injustice, gaining fresh perspective on privilege and shared human experience.
International Cooperation
With long-standing trust across social sectors, Sembrandopaz offers access to conversations otherwise closed to outsiders. Delegations strengthen global solidarity while supporting communities in holding authorities accountable for holistic reparations.
“Sembrandopaz is doing so much more than peacebuilding in Colombia – they accompany communities in their pursuit of justice. During the trip, we saw how the deep and abiding political, social, and economic inequality that characterized the conflict is also embedded in peace processes. These unequal power dynamics make peacebuilders’ efforts essential in the struggle for social justice. The trip gave our delegation a unique opportunity to examine grassroots peacebuilding theories and practices in the midst of conflict. We came away inspired and humbled.”
-Angelica M., delegation participant
“I studied the Colombian conflict prior to visiting the Montes de Maria region but the printed page falls short of expressing the level of mistrust that lingers in society and punctuates daily interactions. Sembrandopaz’s enduring relationships with various communities enabled our delegation to better understand the generational challenge of peacebuilding in the region.”
-delegation participant