Paola Andrea Vera

Colombian peacebuilder fostering reconciliation through cultural projects in post-conflict zones.

Background

Paola Andrea Vera is the founder of Caminos de Paz, a Colombian NGO using art and education to rebuild communities affected by the country's decades-long conflict. Operating since 2015, her organization has reached over 15,000 people in 20+ municipalities, focusing on youth engagement and victim reintegration.

Origins of the Vision

Growing up in a family impacted by displacement, Vera witnessed firsthand how cultural disconnection exacerbates social fractures. After studying international relations at Universidad de los Andes, she combined her love for music and theater with peacebuilding strategies. Her LinkedIn profile details how she developed participatory methodologies involving ex-combatants and victims.

Innovative Approaches

Key initiatives include:

• Escuela de Artes para la Paz: Training workshops for conflict-affected youth
• Rutas Culturales: Tourist routes highlighting community resilience stories
• Radio Comunitaria: Youth-led radio programs amplifying local voices

Her documentary series shares testimonies from former FARC guerrillas and displaced families, fostering mutual understanding.

Impact Achievements

By 2019:

• 60% reduction in community violence in intervention zones
• Creation of 200+ youth-led cultural projects
• UNESCO's Creative Cities Network partnership (2018)

Her work was profiled in BBC's Colombia Rebuilt series and received the National Peace Prize (2019).

Legacy and Expansion

Vera's model has inspired similar programs in Guatemala and El Salvador. She advises the Colombian Ministry of Culture on integrating arts into national peacebuilding strategies. Her TED Talk "How Art Heals Wounds of War" has been translated into 8 languages.