Organized by the Embassy of Finland in Colombia, the Interfaith Initiative for Tropical Forests participated in the meeting “The role of religious actors in peace in Colombia,” held on October 7 in Bogotá.
“At IRI-Colombia, we have seen that peace is not built solely on agreements, but requires spiritual and ethical transformation. That is why we combine faith with science, politics, and community action to also heal the relationship between human beings and nature, recognizing that there will be no lasting peace if we destroy the foundation that sustains life: our forests, our waters, and our territories,” said Blanca Lucía Echeverry, who referred to the Initiative’s experience in defending life, human dignity, and the protection of nature through interfaith work.
The event, held at the Finnish Residence, brought together representatives from various churches and religious organizations to reflect on the role of religious actors in peace in our country.
“Today, in the face of environmental, social, and spiritual challenges, we need to continue building comprehensive peace, which includes environmental justice, social equity, and harmony with creation. In this regard, religious actors will continue to be essential allies,” added the director of IRI-Colombia.
The Finnish Ambassador to Colombia, Eija Rotinen, hosted this meeting, which was attended by Maria Cramér, Ambassador of Sweden; María Inés Ruiz, Ambassador of Chile; Martina Klumpp, Ambassador of Germany; and representatives of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Colombia, the World Council of Churches, DiPaz Colombia, and Suomen Lähetysseura, among other religious actors.
