CAPAZ Profiles: Julián Villa-Turek and Laura Alejandra Barón Melendez

CAPAZ Profiles: Julián Villa-Turek and Laura Alejandra Barón Melendez

 

Julián Villa-Turek

“My name is Julián; I was born in Bogotá and I am almost 23 years old. Five years ago, I started studying political science. Given my interest in delving deeper into the Colombian conflict, and more specifically into its territorial aspects and social impacts, I decided to specialise in conflict resolution and peace research offered at Pontificia Universidad Javeriana. At the same time, I began to learn about and look for projects run by civil society organisations and academia that were interested in working in peacebuilding through an approach that was different from the already established ones. It was in this context, that I came across CAPAZ, a space for continuous dialogue and efforts to generate impacts together with those who work ceaselessly towards possible peace – as part of a heterogeneous peace – in their spaces, times and potential. In 2020, I worked on a research project on unofficial memory and wrote a graduate thesis on the search for people reported missing together with leaders who search, resist, and create in San José de Apartadó, Antioquia. At CAPAZ, I have had the opportunity to support the science collaborators Juliette Vargas and soon Juliana González, who listen to my ideas and with whom I hope to reflect and contribute together. The project led with the JEP and the Truth Commission, coordinated by CAPAZ, has its own qualities and fundamental aspects that allow us to contemplate that we need to give the best of ourselves, to think and learn, to listen and co-create, from the field of transitional justice and from the polyphonic contributions of truth. I have felt welcome in the team and I highlight the personal and professional qualities of each member, although I know them little given the limitations or difficulties of an exclusively online communication”. Julián’s internship at CAPAZ will run from January 25 to June 18, 2021.

Laura Alejandra Barón Meléndez

“My name is Laura Barón, and I am in my last semester in political science. In the course of my professional career, I have developed expertise in local and regional development strategies and peacebuilding processes. My interest is especially focused on researching and finding practical solutions to socio-economic problems caused by political instability, inequality, inefficient markets and ineffective governance. This is why I decided to focus my studies on public management at Pontificia Universidad Javeriana. I have been a volunteer for the truth and a member of the V+ generation of the Truth Commission, where I have delved into the Colombian conflict, specifically its territorial aspects and social impacts. I truly believe that researching and providing information about the events of the Colombian armed conflict provides tools for the non-repetition of the conflict, which we thought we had overcome but which continues. My time at CAPAZ has been fruitful in enriching my knowledge through research and teamwork, and in delving into issues such as gender and peacebuilding, transitional justice with a local focus, feminism, intersectionality, and Afro-Colombian and indigenous communities. Together with the science  collaborator Juliana González, I have been able to analyse and contribute to the construction of current and future CAPAZ research. I thank the staff of the institute for the wonderful and enriching opportunity and I hope to continue learning from them”. Laura’s internship at CAPAZ will run from January 25 to June 18, 2021.

 

(NW: Julián Villa-Turek, Laura Barón, Claudia Maya. English: Tiziana Laudato)