We are a group of leaders who are part of different associations and collectives in the municipality of Concepción. We joined forces in 2017 with the goal of having a political and social impact in the territory; since then, we have participated in several training programs with PRODEPAZ and its partners, which have allowed us to develop leadership skills.
The Development and/or Peace Programs have emerged in various parts of the country as a civil society initiative to overcome the structural causes of social, political, and armed conflict and to advance toward a development model focused on human dignity.
In Eastern Antioquia, the Development for Peace Program (PDP) is promoted by the PRODEPAZ Corporation, established in the territory in 1999 by the initiative of organizations forming the Vida Justicia y Paz Corporation, and consolidated with the support of the Sonsón-Rionegro Diocese, Barrancabermeja Diocese, CINEP, PROANTIOQUIA, Interconexión Eléctrica S.A. (ISA), and ISAGEN.
It is important to mention that PRODEPAZ's strategic partner for Concepción is EPM (Empresas Públicas de Medellín), and thanks to their support, this initiative has been possible.
The origins of the Development for Peace Program in Eastern Antioquia can be traced back to the Peace Forums convened by the Sonsón-Rionegro Diocese, led by Monsignor Flavio Calle Zapata, between 1994 and 1999. These forums successfully involved political, economic, social, and cultural sectors of the region concerned with the situation in Eastern Antioquia due to multiple forms of violence and conflict, including the assassination of mayors and numerous civilians; attacks on physical infrastructure; destruction of power towers; the frequent closure of the Medellín–Bogotá highway by armed groups; and the forced displacement of hundreds of people and families in the region.
At that time, the territorial disputes, especially involving ELN, FARC, and AUC from the Magdalena Medio, became a destabilizing factor for this region. These forums led to the creation of the Vida Justicia y Paz Corporation in 1988, consisting of various regional organizations participating in the process. Together with other private sector institutions, it became a co-managing entity in 1999 of the PRODEPAZ Corporation, responsible for establishing the Development for Peace Program. In 1999, Eastern Antioquia required a regional agenda that generated synergies among different sectors and structured a regional project through alliances and actions to address its challenges. Companies like Interconexión Eléctrica S.A. (ISA) and ISAGEN, heavily affected by the destruction of power towers and committed to corporate social responsibility, responded to the call and helped establish the Development for Peace Program in Eastern Antioquia.
For contact and information about Conchurred, reach out to:
Marleny Castrillón at +57-312-7018785
