“So these women that we’re working with, all of whom are victims of violence, particularly mostly armed violence, so they’ve had their husbands killed, their sons killed, disappeared, they have no idea what happened to them, they themselves effected by violence and conflict space; they are trying to think through how can that reality simultaneously exist with the idea that i can become a reconciler between perceived or real adversaries so we can change the way about how we think about who we are in Colombia, despite our differences, we can find our shared values as Colombians. I think women are well suited to articulate that, as well as faith leaders because they have the authority, legitimacy, and doctrinal capacity to go and mobilize other, larger communities.”
Interview of James Patton, Executive Vice President of the International Center for Religion and Diplomacy captured at the Global Peace Convention in Asuncion, Paraguay on November 21, 2014.
Mr. Patton shares women and faith leaders’ unique role in resolving conflict in Colombia, a country that has been riddled with conflict for over 100 years.