Last year (2016) the human rights program
of IELCO along with the Lutheran School of Theology hosted a series of video
forums titled: Cries of Creation (Gritos de la Creación, in Spanish), where
once a month we would watch a documentary that helped shine light on the
interconnections between human rights, poverty and the environment. A steady group of interested people began to
form as we discussed these documentaries from a theological perspective as well
as the possible ways local congregations can become involved in the issue of each
documentary (consumerism, GMOs, fair trade, indigenous peoples’ rights, climate
change, etc.).
To kick off this year with this same group,
we planned a retreat into the Iguaque national park in the mountains of the Boyacá
region of Colombia. It was a time to strengthen the group, to continue in learning
about the issues, and to celebrate together the accomplishments during the forming
of the group. The retreat included training for each member to host workshops in their local communities, discussions
and debates on the issues, distribution of toolkits, as well as good food,
positive time together, and a hike up to a beautiful lake at the top of the nearby
mountain.
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| Some members of the group after recieving their toolkits for leading workshops and discussions on the issues of the videoforos. Left to right: Sergio Lara, Javier Mora, Marian Coy, Mauricio Chala, Jairo Suarez Preciado, Liria Suarez Preciado. Photo by Curtis. |
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| In the middle of an activity debating globalization and a focus on supporting local economies. Looking at the camera: Liria Suarez Preciado, Jairo Suarez Preciado, and Mauricio Chala. Photo by Curtis. |
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| Just as we reached the summit. Curtis with Jenny and Cate Franco, and Jairo Suarez Preciado. Photo by Liria Suarez Preciado. |
