How Communication is Helping to End Violence in Remote Communities in Colombia

CLIENT

One of the world’s top multilateral aid groups was trying to help resolve violence among communities in Colombia, South America.

PROBLEM

The violence was widespread and communities were not able to resolve the issues affecting their daily lives. They had little control over the situation and felt outside help was needed.

OPPORTUNITY

The agency had a widespread team of field workers and researchers spread across Colombia on a range of projects. They had day-to-day contact with communities and understood their problems, but sharing information often proved a problem in difficult, remote terrain. Gathering information on the violence and how local people viewed solutions was seen as a starting point.

DELIVERABLES

A First Principles consultant worked with the agency to create a documentary film on the field work. Community counselling was set up in villages with agency field staff running workshops.

Communities talked about the violence and what they saw as long-term solutions. The workshops were often held in remote villages. They attracted interest from outlying communities who had never been able to have their voice heard.

RESULTS

The film (in English and Spanish) captured the ‘people’s story,’ their solutions to the violence and how they saw a better future. It reflected the agency’s work and how it was helping people in one part of the world.