The Group of Work for Colombia (GTC) aims to identify opportunities for collaboration with governments in the peacebuilding efforts. The group, consisting of 17 members from various Caritas organizations around the world, was received in audience by Pope Francis at the Vatican this morning. The GTC includes Caritas from Norway, England, Wales, Scotland, Spain, Germany, France, the United States, Latin America, and the Caribbean, working in collaboration with the Colombian Social Pastoral Caritas.
Founded in 1997, the GTC focuses on promoting peace and social justice in Colombia. Despite progress in land distribution, inequality reduction, and peaceful conflict resolution, deep changes are still needed to strengthen hope for the poorest in the country.
The Church’s commitment to indigenous peoples and the poor is evident in its efforts to address challenges like drug trafficking, violence, corruption, and inequality, which significantly impact social justice in Colombia. The Church is dedicated to finding solutions to improve the lives of farmers, indigenous people, Afro-descendants, and marginalized urban communities.
Looking ahead to the International Conference on Biodiversity within the framework of the UN COP16 in Cali, Colombia, the GTC sees this event as an opportunity to promote environmental conservation. Beyond the success of the conference, the GTC hopes to advance the integral ecology in Colombia, a country known for its rich biodiversity but also facing serious threats to its environment.
In line with Pope Francis’ four dreams for Colombia outlined in the 2020 Apostolic Exhortation “Querida Amazonia,” the GTC remains committed to social, ecclesial, ecological, and cultural progress in the region.
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