Children lead the struggle for peace in Colombia

by Brenda McDonald
MSU-Bozeman News Service

02/08/2002 --Bozeman -  Juan Uribe is in exile. The 20-year-old native of Colombia can't return to his native land because his life and the lives of his mother and brother are in danger.

Uribe was on the campus of Montana State University Thursday to talk about his work as  leader of the Colombian Children's Peace Movement for which he has been nominated three times for a Nobel Peace Prize. Uribe will be the keynote speaker for the second annual Gallatin Valley Peacemaker Award Celebration at the Museum of the Rockies on Feb. 2. The event is free and open to the public.

Uribe became active in the peace movement at the age of 13. Uribe's father, also a social activist, ran dental campaigns in poor areas of their town and organized local cultural events. In July 1996, three gunmen walked into his father's office and fatally shot him and Uribe's 19 year-old cousin.

Instead of seeking revenge for his father's death, Uribe plunged into promoting the special election in Colombia known as the Children's Mandate for Peace and Rights. Some 2.7 million children voted for the rights to life and peace. He mobilized the children in his town to vote for the Mandate and took part in the first assembly of the Children's Movement for Peace in December 1996.

"For three months after my father died I carried a gun," said Uribe. "I did that until a child came up to me and asked for help. I thought, 'How can I help this child if I'm confused myself and carrying a gun.'"

Colombia has been under the shadow of violence for 200 years. But Uribe said since the Children's Peace Movement there has been some positive change.

"Children now have a bigger voice. They have something they can do and people are

listening more to the children," he said. "There have been a lot of groups formed to help

displaced children and children who are mistreated. Youth and childhood is now respected, and fewer children are dying and there are fewer children taking up arms."

"In Colombia, change won't come through the political system. Change will depend on the people. Adults can change their way of thinking, but it's still corrupted. Children are the pure and best hope for the future."

Urbie encouraged MSU students to become involved in social causes. He challenged them to look at what needs to be done right here in their own community.

Uribe currently lives in the United States attending school and completing his high school diploma. His work now centers on criss-crossing the country, talking to adults and young people about the strife in Colombia and the strides the Children's Peace Movement is making. He hopes to become a lawyer and work on international peace issues.

"My mission, where ever I am, is to educate and inspire," Uribe said. "Peace won't happen just by talking. We must change our hearts."

Uribe's appearance at MSU was sponsored by the MSU Multicultural Center, Montana Center for International Visitors, MSU Office of International Programs and the Community Mediation Center.

Send questions or comments to Brenda McDonald: bmcdonal@montana.edu. Or you can send letters to Brenda McDonald, MSU Communications Services, 416 Culbertson Hall, Bozeman, MT 59717.

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