Art Education for Peace: Launch of the Diploma Program ‘Artistic and Cultural Practices for Life and Peace’

On March 15th, the diploma program ‘Artistic and Cultural Practices for Life and Peace’ began, led by the Universidad Pedagógica Nacional as a part of Inter-institutional agreement 4069-2024 signed with the Ministry of Cultures, Arts, and Knowledge. As a part of the Training for Trainers strategy, set within the Sounds for Peacebuilding Program, it aims to strengthen artistic practices in music and dance as key tools for promoting peace and social justice in Colombia.

The diploma program will be concurrently implemented in 56 municipalities across 22 departments in our country, focusing on PDET (Development Programs with a Territorial Approach) and ZOMAC (Most Affected Areas by Armed Conflict) territories, where artistic education becomes a path for social transformation and community rebuilding.

The Training of Trainers strategy consists of two key phases. The first involved training 104 intermediaries in innovative pedagogical methodologies for arts education. The second kicks off the diploma program ‘Artistic and Cultural Practices for Life and Peace,’ led by intermediaries responsible for sharing their knowledge with 1,368 teachers, artists, trainers, and scholars working in educational institutions, penitentiaries, and other community spaces.

The diploma program is divided into two main parts: it begins focusing on music and continues with dance. In-person sessions will take place on March 15th, 16th, 22nd, 23rd, and 24th, while the virtual mode will be held on March 29th, 30th, and from April 12th to 16th, totaling 110 hours of training.

The aim of this strategy is to encourage the development of local initiatives with a focus on the artistic and cultural expressions of each territory, through the promotion of intercultural dialogue and the social adoption of art as a catalyst for change. “This diploma program is an opportunity for teachers, artists, trainers, and scholars to enhance their practices, exchange experiences, and become agents of change within their communities. Music, dance, and cultural expressions not only transform lives but also build bridges toward peace and social justice,” stated Katherine Padilla, Director of the strategy.

This undertaking is in line with the objectives of the National Development Plan 2022-2026: “Colombia, a Global Life Power”, which reaffirms the National Government’s commitment to strengthening artistic and cultural education as a cornerstone for building a more just, equitable and peaceful Colombia.

The municipalities where the diploma program will be carried out are:

• Atlántico: Baranoa, Barranquilla, Soledad, Suan
• Bolívar: Bayunca, San Pablo, Mompox
• Boyacá: Duitama, Sogamoso, Tunja
• Caldas: Manizales, Riosucio, La Dorada
• Caquetá: Florencia
• Casanare: Paz de Ariporo, Yopal
• Cauca: Guapi, Patía, Popayán, Santander de Quilichao
• Cesar: Aguachica, Valledupar
• Chocó: Acandí, Istmina, Quibdó
• Córdoba: Cereté, Montería, San Bernardo del Viento, Planeta Rica
• Guajira: Riohacha
• Huila: Neiva, Pitalito
• Magdalena: El Banco, Santa Marta
• Meta: Villavicencio, Granada
• Nariño: San Andrés de Tumaco, La Unión, Pasto
• Norte de Santander: Cúcuta
• Putumayo: Mocoa
• Quindío: Armenia
• Risaralda: La Virginia, Pereira
• Santander: Málaga, Barbosa, Barrancabermeja, Bucaramanga, Socorro
• Tolima: Espinal, Ibagué, Natagaima, San Sebastián de Mariquita