Finalists of UCLG City of Bogotá Peace Prize announced

UCLG City of Bogotá Peace Prize

The five finalists for the UCLG City of Bogotá Peace Prize have been selected by the high-level jury of the prize. The Peace Prize is a triennial award for local governments that have implemented innovative initiatives in conflict prevention, conflict resolution or peace building, and which have proven to have had a significant positive impact.

Of the many initiatives across the globe that were submitted, the following projects have been selected as top contenders for the award. The local government in Canoas, Brazil, combines initiatives in technology, social inclusion and community policing to address causes of violence in target areas. Meanwhile in Colombia, the city government of Cali organises workshops for children and parents while training community mediators and social workers to promote peace in the community. Also in Colombia, the municipality of Palmira hosts its Palmira, tu Voz es Paz urban music competition to raise young people’s awareness of the importance of living together peacefully. Located in a remote area of the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, the local authority of Shabunda created Permanent Peace Committees to establish peace, restore government authority, reintegrate members of a local militia into the community and end the area’s isolation. In Kauswagan in the Philippines the municipality is active in the demobilization and reintegration of former rebel fighters by engaging them in organic farming.

These finalists are invited to present their case to the jury and public at the World Congress of the global organization of United Cities and Local Governments (UCLG), which will take place in Bogotá, Colombia, from 12 to 15 October 2016. The winner will be awarded a modest prize package to support it to strengthen its peace projects and facilitate learning and exchange with other local governments facing similar challenges.

More information is available on the award website: peaceprize.uclg.org

Source: www.bogota2016.uclg.org

UCLG City of Bogotá Peace Prize