University of Notre Dame
Kroc Institute for International Peace Studies

Overcoming Violence in Wounded Societies: Perspectives from the Colombian and Kenyan Truth Commissions

Time: Wed Apr 12, 2023, 11:00AM – 12:00PM

Location: Zoom Webinar and Keough School of Global Affairs Washington Office

How can societies grapple with the legacies of conflict and human rights violations? How might they overcome traumatic cycles of ongoing violence? And what can spiritual traditions teach them about moving forward toward a better future? 

Join us for a panel discussion that includes widely acclaimed peacebuilders Rev. Francisco de Roux, former chair of Colombia’s Truth Commission; Tecla Namachanja Wanjala, former vice and acting chair of Kenya’s Truth, Justice and Reconciliation Commission and a visiting research fellow at the Kroc Institute for International Peace Studies; and two Colombian attestants to the armed conflict. Hear insights from a panel of experts who know firsthand how countries scarred by decades of violent conflict can build a just and lasting peace. This Zoom Webinar will be available in both English and Spanish.

Following the panel discussion, Humanity United invites all attendees to a special photo exhibition featuring work from FotoDiásporas, which showcases works and narratives of 15 Colombians and their experiences of being forced to live in exile.

Keough School of Global Affairs Washington Office address: 1400 16th St. NW Suite 120. Washington, DC 20036

Panelists: 

Former Chair, Commission for the Clarification of Truth, Coexistence and Non-Repetition, Colombia

Rev. Francisco de Roux

Former Chair, Commission for the Clarification of Truth, Coexistence and Non-Repetition, Colombia


Tecla Namachanja Wanjala, Former Vice and Acting Chair, Kenya Truth, Justice and Reconciliation Commission

Tecla Namachanja Wanjala

Former Vice and Acting Chair, Kenya Truth, Justice and Reconciliation Commission


Gloria Marcela, Colombian survivor of the armed conflict living in exile, participant of FotoDiasporas

Gloria Marcela

Colombian survivor of the armed conflict living in exile, participant of FotoDiásporas


Karina Ruiz, Colombian survivor of the armed conflict living in exile, participant of FotoDiasporas

Karina Ruiz

Colombian survivor of the armed conflict living in exile, participant of FotoDiásporas


John Paul Lederach, Professor Emeritus of International Peacebuilding, Kroc Institute for International Peace Studies

John Paul Lederach*

Professor Emeritus of International Peacebuilding, Kroc Institute for International Peace Studies 


Josefina Echavarria Alvarez, Director of the Peace Accord Matrix program, Associate Professor of the Practic

Josefina Echavarria Alvarez (Introductions)

Director of the Peace Accord Matrix program, Associate Professor of the Practice


Leslie Wingender, Director for Peacebuilding, Humanity United

Leslie Wingender (Moderator)

Director for Peacebuilding, Humanity United 


Photo provided by the United Nations Development Programme (Flickr)

*Attending via Zoom


This event is co-sponsored by the Kroc Institute for International Peace Studies, which includes the Peace Accords Matrix and Catholic Peacebuilding Network, and the Keough School of Global Affairs, in partnership with Humanity United.

Support also comes from Georgetown University’s Georgetown Americas Institute, which is pleased to welcome Rev. De Roux to Washington, DC. On April 11, the Institute will co-sponsor “Seeking Truth: The Challenges and Achievements of Colombia’s Truth Commission” with the Keough School. Learn More.