1
 1 The	submitted	document	was	made	for	technical	purposes	and	has not	been published	to	the	general	
public.	
Title Final	Report
Publication	date September 27,	2019
Language(s) English
Restriction	to	USAID The	 submitted	item	is	 restricted	 to	USAID	
personnel	only	(not	available	to	the	public)1
Authoring	Organization Fundación	Prolongar
Sponsoring	Organization (s) USAID/Colombia
Document	Type Final evaluation report
USAID	Geographic	Terms Medellin,	Colombia
USAID	Award	Number Award	No
.	72051418FA00003
Additional	Information Milestone	No
.	6.	Final	Report
Project	Title Landmine	 Victims	 Reconciliation	 Activity￾Award	No
.	72051418FA00003
COR	or	AOR	name Hernando	Sánchez
2
Art	for	Reconstruction
FINAL	REPORT
Award	No.	72051418FA00003
PROLONGAR	FOUNDATION
3
September	27,	2019
Contents
Abbreviations...............................................................................................................................................4
Introduction .................................................................................................................................................5
1.	Evaluation	methodology ..........................................................................................................................6
2.	Outcome	1................................................................................................................................................8
2.1.	Implemented	activities......................................................................................................................8
2.2.	Evaluation	results	- Outcome	1 .......................................................................................................21
3.Outcome	2...............................................................................................................................................32
3.1.	Implemented	activities....................................................................................................................32
3.2.	Evaluation	results	- Outcome	2 .......................................................................................................36
4.	Outcome	3	and	4....................................................................................................................................38
4.1.	Implemented	activities....................................................................................................................38
4.2.	Evaluation	results	- Outcome	3	&	4.................................................................................................45
5.	Outcome	5..............................................................................................................................................59
6.	Other	Results..........................................................................................................................................63
7.	Conclusions ............................................................................................................................................66
References..................................................................................................................................................75
4
Abbreviations
ARN Agency	for	Reincorporation	and	Normalization
National	Historic	Center	for	Historical	Memory
CCOET Strategic	Joint	Command	for	Transition
DATRA
The	Historical	Memory	and	Context	office	of	the	Department	of	
Transition	Support
FARC Revolutionary	Armed	Forces	of	Colombia
MM&E Monitoring,	Measuring	&	Evaluation
MOMA Museum	of	Modern	Art
MAPP￾OEA
The	 Organization	 of	 American	 States	 Mission	 to	 Support	 the	
Peace	Process	in	Colombia
PPR People	in	Process	of	Reintegration	
UPB Pontifical	Bolivarian	University
PwD People	with	Disabilities
UARIV Unit	for	the	Victims	Assistance	and	Reparation
USAID	 United	States	Agency	for	International	Development
United	Nations
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Introduction
Civilian,	 retired	 veterans	 and	 People	 in	 Process	 of	 Reintegration	 (PPR)	 landmine	 victims	 register	 the	
highest	 number	 of	 People	 with	 Disabilities	 (PwD’s)	 due	 to	 the	 armed	 conflict.	 They	 are	 a	 minority	
compared	to	other	conflict	affected	victims	in	the	country,	which	has	led	to	a	low	prioritization	of	their	
needs	and	very	inadequate	services	for	their	assistance	and	reparation,	particularly	in	the	case	of	civilian	
victims.	 On	 the	 other	 hand,	 they	 may	 be	 perceived	 as	 enemies	 and	 need	 to	 heal	 trauma,	 increase	
understanding	and	trust,	and	discover	shared	identities.
Art	 for	 Reconstruction	 used	 art-based	 approaches	 that	 enable	 emotional	 and	 cognitive	 awareness,	
empathy,	 and	 understanding	 for	 three	 main	 purposes:	 i)	 to	 increase	 understanding	 and	 decrease	
grievances	among	civilian,	PPR	and	retired	veterans;	ii)	to	decrease	the	stigmatization	coming	from	the	
private	sector	and	other	citizens	of	Medellin	towards	PPR	and	people	with	disabilities;	and,	iii)	to	increase	
understanding	 among	 local	 and	 national	 officers	 from	 the	 government	 towards	 victims	 and	 their	
experienced	disability.
The	central	art-based	practice	was	the	Kintsugi	Japanese	technique,	which	invites	us	not	to	discard	the	
objects	that	have	been	broken,	but	rather	to	repair	them	and	to	enhance	the	damaged	areas	by	filling	the	
cracks	 with	 gold.	 Joining	 the	 pieces and	 highlighting	 the	 scars	 enable	 reflection	 on	 the	 beauty	 of	
imperfection,	resilience,	connection	and	reconciliation.	
Photograph:	Santiago	Vallejo
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Art	for	Reconstruction	also	engaged	key	society	mobilizers	from	the	private	and	public	sector,	and	other	
audiences,	such	as	social	organizations	and	universities,	through	an	art	exhibit	and	an	outreach	launch	
event.	The	project	was	implemented	by	Prolongar	Foundation2 from	September	26,	2018	to	September	
25,	2019	and	took	place	in	the	city	of	Medellin.	
The	 final	 report	 presents	 the	 main	 activities	 and	 results	 of	 “Art	 for	 Reconstruction”	 according	 to	 the	
agreed	outcomes	between	USAID	and	Prolongar	Foundation	in	 the	Award	number	72051418FA00003.	
Since	the	monitoring	and	evaluation	results	are	presented	across the	report,	the	first	section	presents	the	
methodology	 used	 for	 these	 purposes.	 In	 the	 second	 section,	 activities	 carried	 out	 and	 results	 for	
Outcome	 1	 are	 portrayed,	 regarding	 reduced	 grievances	 and	 reconciliation	 between	 civilian,	 retired	
veterans	and	PPRs.	In	section	3,	activities	for	Outcome	2	are	portrayed,	regarding	the	collaborative	exhibit	
design	between	the	three	groups.	In	section	4,	activities	for	Outcomes	3	and	4	are	portrayed,	regarding	
the decreasing	 stigmatization	 of	 key	 society	mobilizers	 and	 the	 increasing	 understanding	 of	 local	 and	
national	officers	towards	civilian,	retired	veterans	and	PPR	landmine	victims.	In	section	5,	activities	 for	
Outcome	5	are	portrayed,	regarding	networks	of	sustainability	that	support	People	with	Disabilities	and
advance	in	their	advocacy.	In	section	6,	Monitoring,	Measuring	&	Evaluation	(M,	M&E)	final	results	are	
presented,	along	with	unexpected	 results.	Finally,	 the	conclusions	 session	closes the	 report,	with	 final	
remarks,	lessons	learnt	and	best	practices.
1. Evaluation	methodology
The	project’s	main	purpose	is	 to	promote	 reconciliation	and	bring	 together	different	groups	 that	have	
been	 involved	 (directly	 and	 indirectly)	 in	 Colombian	 armed	 conflict	 through	 dialogue	 and	 reflection	
strategies	at	the	individual	and	group	level.	The	challenges	of	measuring	the	impacts	of	these	activities	
are	enormous	given	the	complexity	of	this	very	heterogeneous	group	of	participants	(civilian	victims,	PPR	
and	retired	veterans).	Additionally,	it	is	a	methodological	challenge	to	measure	the	results	of	strategies	
focused	on	behavioral	and	attitudinal	 transformations	at	 the	individual	level	in	 the	 short	and	medium	
term.
As	 a	 way	 to	 address	 those	 challenges,	 the	 project	 has	 designed	 and	 implemented	 a	 monitoring	 and	
evaluation	component.	The	approach	of	this	component	is	not	only	useful	for	monitoring	purpose,	but	
also	for	developing	new	ways	for	measuring	transitional	justice	and	peace	building	interventions.	
The	methodology	is	a	multi-method	strategy	 that	was	specifically	designed	to	measure	 the	complexity	
and	potential	effects	of	mindfulness	and	other	art-based	techniques.	One	advantage	of	the	design	is	that	
the	methodological	instruments	are	sensitive	to	the	diverse	population	the	project	is	working	with.	Severe	
injuries	such	as	amputations	and	blindness	are	common	characteristics	of	the	participants,	and	the	multi￾method	strategy	adapts	traditional	measurement	instruments	to	deal	with	some	of	these	features.	
 2 https://fundacionprolongar.org/en/home/
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Additionally,	the	designed	methods	are	appropriate	to	analyze	the	transformation	of	daily	interactions	at	
the	micro	level.	This	purpose	entails	the	understanding	of	different	dimensions	of	individual	development	
such	as	emotions,	cognition	and	even	spiritual	components.	It	is	important	 to	say	 that	 the	monitoring	
component	includes	the	analysis	of	the	three	main	stages	of	the	project:	healing	processes,	willingness	
and	constructive	dialogue	and	the	Exhibition.	The	first	two	stages	entail	the	measurement	of	participants’	
attitudes	and	behavior,	while	the	third	one	refers	to	visitors’	perceptions	about	the	Exhibition.		
The	methodological	design	is	based	on	the	hypothesis	that	the	achievement	of	reconciliation	is	conditional	
on	 healing	 processes	 that	 start	 at	 the	 individual	 level.	 The	 project	 develops	 a	 multi-method	 strategy	
including	 both	 quantitative	 and	 qualitative	 components.	 By	 using	 a	 consistency	 matrix	 method,	 we	
articulated	 components,	 indicators,	 instruments	 and	 collection	 data	 methods	 in	 order	 to	 analyze	 the	
project	hypothesis.	The	main	dependent	variable	is	perceptions	towards	reconciliation	and	the	predictor	
categories	 are	 level	 of	 consciousness,	 resignification	 of	 memories,	 empowerment,	 destigmatization,	
empathy	and	trust.	
Regarding	the	instruments,	the	quantitative	component	was	developed	through	surveys,	which	measured	
standardized	categories	related	to	attitudes	and	behaviors	of	participants.	
On	 the	other	 hand,	 the	 qualitative	component	included	ethnographic	observation	and	interviews	 that	
seek	 to	 understand	 the	 profound	 reasons	 of	 participants’	 change	 of	 behaviors.	 The	 baseline	 was	
conducted	on	November	2018	and	March	2019,	and	the	follow-up	measurement	was	completed	by	March	
2019	and	May	2019	depending	on	the	component	(healing	or	willingness).	The	data	from	Exhibition	were	
collected	on	July	2019.	In	total,	220	surveys	were	applied	in	the	entire	project.	Qualitative	activities	were	
also	conducted	in	between	these	moments.	Figure	1	shows	timeline	of	the	monitoring	component:
Figure	1.	Timeline	of	monitoring	component
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The	participants’	demographic	composition	indicates	that	69%	of	them	are	men	and	31%	women.	The	
average	age	is	41	years	old,	and	the	individuals	live	in	households	with	an	average	of	4	people.	Almost	
half	(49%)	of	the	group	is	formed	by	veterans	and	their	family,	38%	are	civilians	and	13%	are	PPR.	In	terms	
of	 education,	 48%	 of	 the	 people	 have	 completed	 a	 secondary	 or	 high-school	 level	 of	 education;	 20%	
completed	elementary	school;	20%	have	a	technical	career;	7%	have	a	professional	career	and	5%	have	
no	formal	education.	The	participants	mostly	came	from	Antioquia	(85%),	the	region	where	Medellin	is	
located.	In	total,	62	surveys	were	collected	for	healing	component	(40	surveys	for	baseline	and	22	surveys	
for	follow	up)	and	72	surveys	for	willingness	component	(33	surveys	for	baseline	and	39	surveys	for	follow	
up).		
Regarding	 the	 Exhibition,	 the	 baseline	 and	 follow-up	 were	 conducted	 during	 the	 same	 session.	 The	
baseline	survey	was	applied	before	people	visited	the	Exhibition,	and	the	follow	up	instrument	just	right	
after	they	did	it.	In	total,	the	project	collected	51	surveys	in	the	baseline	and	35	surveys	in	the	follow	up	
moment.	Overall,	34%	of	respondents	were	women	and	66%	were	men.	In	the	baseline	survey,	35%	of	
participants	were	women	and	65%	men.	In	the	follow-up,	31%	were	women	and	69%	men.	The	average	
of	age	is	30	years	old.	In	terms	of	occupation,	31%	of	visitors	were	military,	14%	professional	soldiers,	12%	
students,	6%	designers	and	the	rest	37%	has	other	jobs	(lawyer,	architect,	assistant,	biologist,	singer,	chef,	
scientist,	 social	 communicator,	 consultant,	 Museum	 workers,	 engineer,	 independent	 worker	 and	
operator)3
.	
A	methodological	warning	is	that	the	results	should	be	analyzed	carefully	because	the	sample	is	small.	In	
the	case	of	regression	models	the	findings	are	indicative	because	the	sample	size	does	not	allow	robust	
causal	inferences.	
2.	Outcome	1
In	the	following	section,	the	implemented	activities	and	results	of	Outcome	1– Reduced	grievances	and	
increased	understanding	among	80%	of	civilian,	retired	veterans	and	PPR	landmine	victims	– are	outlined.	
Section	2.2.	will	present	the	evaluation	results	for	Outcome	1.	
2.1.	Implemented	activities
● Work	plan	delivered	and	approved
During	 the	 established	 timelines	 in	 the	 Final	 Award,	 Prolongar	 delivered	 the	Work	 plan	 –first	
product	of	Art	for	Reconstruction–.	A	project	overview,	along	with	the	milestones,	timeline,	main	
activities	and	stages,	was	provided.	The	Work	plan	was	approved	by	USAID.
 3 In	order	to	avoid	bias	because	of	missing	observations	in	the	follow-up	measurement,	this	socio	demographic	
information	is	based	on	baseline	surveys.
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● Call	for	participants
The	call	for	participants	was	made	through	partner	organizations	at	the	national	and	local	level.	
As	it	will	be	explained,	the	initial	convening	restrictions	were	modified	to	include	both	landmine	
survivors	and	PwD’s	due	to	the	armed	conflict.	It	is	important	to	state	that	the	participant	people	
had	suffered	from	different	effects	due	to	the	armed	conflict	and	had	different	levels	of	disability,	
ranging	from	physical	to	sensorial	or	socioemotional	disabilities,	such	as	paraplegia,	blindness	or	
Post	Traumatic	Stress	Disorder	(PTSD).	In	addition,	indirect	female	and	male	victims,	as	well	as	
afro	and	rural	population,	attended	the	sessions,	making	the	project	diverse	in	terms	of	inclusion	
and	enabling	reconciliation	in	broader	terms.
Retired	Veterans: The	call	for	retired	veterans	was	completed	according	to	the	intended	number	
of	participants	in	the	final	award.	The	Historical	Memory	and	Context	office	of	the	Department	of	
Transition	Support	(DATRA)	of	the	Strategic	Joint	Command	for	Transition	(CCOET)	of	the	Military	
Forces	leaded	this	call.	
Civilians: The	call	for	civilians	was	completed	according	to	the	intended	number	of	participants	in	
the	final	award.	For	this	purpose,	Prolongar	contacted	local	landmine	victims’	leaders,	reaching	
“ADESOVI	Association”	which	supported	the	call	for	participants.	
PPRs:	 The	 call	 for	 PPRs	 involved	 multiple	 challenges,	 and	 despite	 numerous	 efforts,	 only	 six	
participants	 were	 convened.	 As	 it	 was	 informed	 to	 USAID,	 since	 September 2018	 Prolongar
contacted	 the	 Agency	 for	 Reincorporation	 and	 Normalization	 (ARN)	 at	 the	 national	 level	 to	
establish	contact	with	ARN	in	Antioquia.	Initially,	only	two	participants	were	convened,	as	many	
PPRs	had	already	 finalized	their	reintegration	process	and	were	additionally	being	required	 for	
other	projects	in	the	department.	
As	an	alternative	solution,	on	October	the	30th	a	database	of	the	PPR	landmine	survivors	who	had	
participated	 in	 Prolongar National	 report	 “The	Hidden	War”	was	 sent	 to	 the	 ARN,	 in	 order	 to	
match	their	IDs	and	provide	their	phone	numbers.	Thanks	to	this	work	a	third	PPR	survivor	was	
added	to	the	project.	Additionally,	the	ARN	Antioquia	coordinator	was	contacted	by	Prolongar,	
achieving	 a	meeting	 with	 the	 field	 officers	 who	 have	 direct	 contact	 with	 PPRs.	 Thanks	 to	 this	
coordination	meeting,	a	total	of	6	PPRs	were	convened.	
● 9	trauma	healing	sessions	implemented	with	each	group
In	this	stage,	a	process	of	self-understanding	and	personal	exploration	to	enable	trauma	healing	
was	successfully	developed.	In	order	 to	pave	 the	way	 for	 the	reconciliation	and	understanding	
between	the	three	groups,	the	implemented	sessions	strengthened	each	participants’	possibility	
to	reconcile	with	themselves.	A	total	of	27	sessions,	between	the	12th	of	November and	the	27th	
of	February,	were	implemented– in	each	visit	to	the	city	of	Medellin	a	session	was	held	with	each	
group	–.	
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Photographs:	Federico	Mejia
Body	and	movement	awareness	were	mainly	used	to	reach	individual	healing,	applying	somatic	
memory	through	different	techniques,	such	as	Mindfulness	and	Somatic	Practices,	and	routinely	
performing	 exercises	 that	 participants	 could	 learn	 and	 embrace.	 In	 every	 session,	 an	 opening	
activity	of	corporal	disposition	was	carried	out,	in	which	active	breathing,	stretching	and	ground	
work	was	achieved	and	improved	over	time.	Likewise,	life	memories	and	its	resignification	was	
explored,	 deeply	 focusing	 on	 the	 relationship	 between	 memories,	 pain,	 selfcare,	 and	
management	 and	 regulation	 of	 emotions.	 The	 team	 paid	 special	 attention	 to	 the	 needs	 of	
participants	with	 disabilities,	 constantly	 taking	into	account	 their	inclusion	into	 the	 performed	
activities.	Thus,	it	is	important	to	state	that	all	the	exercises	and	shared	experiences	during	the	
sessions	were	 shaped	 to	 fully	enable	PwD’s	participation	and	maximize	 the	positive	outcomes	
according	to	their	needs.	
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As	 it	 has	 already	 been	 mentioned	 in	 the	 past,	 exercises	 laying	 in	 horizontal	 position	 were	
especially	powerful	to	stimulate	the	somatic	memory	of	the	body.	This	allowed	the	participants	
to	 open	 paths	 of	 confidence	 and	 security,	 releasing	 unnecessary	 and	 accumulated	 tensions	
related	to	trauma.	To	complement	the	movement activities,	other	artistic	methodologies	were	
implemented,	encouraging	the	creativity	of	participants.
Photographs:	Federico	Mejia
During	 the	 implemented	 sessions,	 the	 personal	 healing	 process	 was	 always	 mediated	 by	 the	
possibility	 of	 participants	 to express	 their	 inward	 journey	 through	 diverse	 artistic	 languages.	
Scrambling,	drawing,	claywork,	collage,	among	other,	were	important	means	to	convey	feelings	
of	the	present	and	its	relationship	with	the	past.	Furthermore,	the	sense	of	smell	was	enhanced	
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through	herbal	essences,	allowing	deeper	connections	with	breathing.	This	meant	an	opportunity	
for	participants	to	get	to	know	new	sensitive	experiences	of	connection	with	their	bodies	and	with	
other	participants.
Photographs:	Federico	Mejia
● 5	Willingness	and	dialogue	skills	sessions	implemented	with	each	group
Interpersonal	reconciliation	began	during	this	stage,	exploring	the	willingness	of	participants	to	
start	a	process	of	diversity	appreciation,	active	listening	and	empathy	towards	the	face-to-face	
engagement.	Respect	for	difference	was	a	main	drive	to	encourage	conflict	resolution,	developing	
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useful	strategies	and	skills	for	the	interaction	between	the	three	groups.	A	total	of	9	sessions	of	
willingness	and	6	sessions	of	constructive	dialogue,	between	the	8th	of	march	and	the	28th	of	
April,	were	implemented– in	each	visit	to	the	city	of	Medellin	a	session	was	held	with	each	group	
–.
To	 keep	 implementing	 the	 award’s	 people	 to	 people	 approach,	 Prolongar	 strengthened	 the	
abilities	 and	 resources	 achieved	 by	 participants	 during	 the	 trauma	 healing	 stage,	 encouraging	
deeper	 transformations	 and	 ritual	 engagement	 with	 the	 Kintsugi	 metaphor	 and	 practice.	 The	
technique’s	 metaphor	 was	 a	 gateway	 to	 express	 long-held	 emotions	 in	 some	 participants,	
allowing	them	to	reflect	on	old	pains	and	to	strengthen	their	processes	of	resilience,	 faith	and	
growth.	 This	 allowed	 an	 understanding	 of	 what	 has	 been	 broken	 in	 their	 lives	 and	 how	 it	 is	
possible	to	repair	it,	effectively	recognizing	what	has	allowed	them	to	learn	and	get	ahead	in	their	
lives.	In	addition,	the	reconstruction	through	Kintsugi	allowed	them	to	address	the	relationship	
with	themselves– in	their	inwards	bodily	reconciliation– or	with	other	close	people– such	as	family	
members–.
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Photographs:	Santiago	Vallejo
After	this	first	Kintsugi	experience,	the	sessions	included	exercises	and	reflections	to	overcome	
prejudices	and	stereotypes	which	were	essential	to	start	exploring	the	willingness	to	participate	
in	the	face-to-face	engagements.	Thus,	participants	had	the	opportunity	to	reflect	on	the	meaning	
of	stereotypes	and	to	recognize	its	main	characteristics,	then	identifying	the	prejudices	they	have	
about	the	others	and	the	ones	other	people	have	had	about	them.	
The	following	photograph	illustrates	the	result	of	the	prejudice	exercise:
Photograph:	Santiago	Vallejo
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The	process	was	complemented	with	activities	focused	on	developing	or	strengthening	skills	for	
constructive	 dialogue,	 active	 listening,	 and	 empathy.	 Especially relevant	 were	 the	 “filters”	
exercises,	where	participants	engaged	in	storytelling	dynamics	through	narrations	of	their	past,	
having	 the	 opportunity	 to	 highlight	 the	 positive	 outcomes	 or	 perspectives	 of	 previous	 painful	
experiences.	
A	shared	identity	activity	was	carried	out	to	strengthen	empathy.	In	this	exercise,	every	person	
had	to	choose	and	identify	with	a	quote	said	by	the	other	groups	participants’	without	knowing	
beforehand	were	it	came	from	(e.g.	civilian	chose	testimonies	said	by	PPR	and	Retired	Veterans).	
Since	most	of	the	testimonies	spoke	of	forgiveness,	reconciliation,	understanding	and	recognition	
of	errors,	this	activity	had	deep	effects	in	persons.	It	prompted	questions	about	the	other	groups,	
and	reflections	around	forgiveness,	reconciliation	and	dialogue	as	a	new	path	to	forge.	
Photographs:	Santiago	Vallejo
● Face-to	face	engagement	sessions	implemented
After	 promoting	 willingness	 and	 constructive	 dialogue,	 the	 face-to-face	 engagements	 stage	
created	new	and	better	relationships	between	the	three	populations.	A	total	of	four	engagement	
sessions,	between	the	3rd	and	the	25th	of	May,	were	implemented.	All	the	participants	worked	
together	in	two	general	sessions– the	first	and	the	third	encounter.	It	is	important	to	state	that	a	
session	of	collaborative	exhibition	design,	which	will	be	explained	in	detail	in	section	3.1.,	was	also	
implemented	during	the	last	half	of	the	third	face-to-face	encounter.	For	the	second	face-to-face	
engagement,	two	sessions	took	place	with	the	group	divided	in	half.	The	Prolongar	team	decided	
to	divide	the	group	for	this	encounter	due	to	the	challenges	faced	during	the	first	meeting, where	
over	50	participants	met	in	a	single	space.	By	dividing	 the	group,	it	was	possible	 to	effectively	
implement	 the	desired	activities	in	a	 smaller	 space,	where	participants	interacted	closely	with	
each	other	and	met	their	peers	in	a	more	intimate	way.	In	addition,	it	was	easier	to	assist	all	the	
needs	required	by	the	PwD’s	population.	
An	important	goal	was	to	foster	a	safe	and	trustful	environment	among	the	participants.		Thus,	
the	Prolongar	team	developed	a	series	of	rituals	for	the	encounters	based	on	Lisa	Schirch	book	
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“Ritual	 and	 Symbol	 in	 Peacebuilding”.	 For	 instance,	 for	 the	 first	 face-to-face	 engagement	 the	
facilitators	personally	introduced	each	participant	to	the	encounter	through	a	ceremony.	Every	
person	was	carefully	welcomed	to	an	adorned	lobby,	where	they	wrote	their	expectations	for	the	
session.	Before	entering	the	main	space,	the	facilitators	washed	the	participants	hands	in	vessels	
filled	with	water,	 scents	and	 flowers.	In	 the	main	 space,	which	was	adorned	with	 flowers	and	
candles,	another	facilitator	was	playing	music	with	a	traditional	Colombian musical	instrument.	
Overall,	a	 peaceful	atmosphere	was	 conveyed	 to	 participants	in	 the	 face-to-face	engagement,	
creating	a	sense	of	comfort,	respect	and	trust.			
Photographs:	Santiago	Vallejo
During	the	first	encounter,	preceding	the	collective	reconstruction	of	Kintsugi,	the	participants	of	
the	three	groups	recognized	each	other	through	playful	exercises	and	simple	challenges,	following	
17
the	 methodology	 of	 USAID’s	 People	 to	 People	 approach.	 Thus,	 it	 was	 a	 way	 to	 strengthen	
cooperative	problem-solving	skills,	to	increase	confidence,	to	promote	positive	attitudes	and	to	
highlight	the	identity	elements	that	unite	and	connect	them.	
It	is	important	to	state	that	the	belonging	of	the	participants	to	their	original	groups	(e.g.	civilian	
or	PPR)	always	remained	in	anonymity.	Exercises	to	understand	and	enhance	shared	humanity	
were	also	carried	out,	exposing	the	bonds	within	them	but	also	allowing	them	to	recognize	their	
differences.	
Afterwards, participants	 engaged	 in	 the	 reconstruction	 of	 Kintsugi,	 collectively	 exploring	 the	
wounds	that	stem	from	the	past	and	the	elements	that	bond	them	in	the	present.	The	facilitators	
guided	this	exercise	focusing	on	the	possibility	of	each	person	to	add	a	symbolic	contribution	(the	
ingredient)	to	the	reconstruction	and	inviting	them	to	ask	what	connects	them	(the	glue)	to	make	
this	reconstruction	possible.	(To	see	a	video	recorded	by	the	Prolongar	Foundation	audiovisual	
team	of	the	first	encounter	and	what	it	meant	to	participants	please	click	here).
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Photographs:	Santiago	Vallejo
During	the	second	encounter,	a	Kintsugi exhibit	was	arranged	for	people	to	see,	as	in	a	museum,	
the	 pieces	 that	 they	 had	 rebuilt	 in	 the	 first	 meeting.	 Participants	 effectively	 reflected	 on	 the	
teamwork	effort	required	to	achieve	the	reconstruction	of	the	ceramic	pieces,	deepening	into	the	
Kintsugi	 metaphor.	 Thus,	 it	 was	 possible	 to	 delve	 into	 shared	 humanity	 and	 the	 relevance	 of	
reconciliation.	In	addition,	participants	successfully	recognized	the	importance	of	rebuilding	their	
relations	despite	the	collective	and	individual	fractures,	understanding	that	the	scars	remind	them	
of	 the	 past,	 but	 are	 woven	 with	 gold	 (as	 in	 Kintsugi)	 for	 their	 value,	 for	 their	 potential	 to	 be	
reminders	of	mistakes	but	also	of	the	possibilities	that	open	when	it is	possible	to	reconcile	with	
others.	
After	 finding	 connectors	 and	 bonds	 among	 them	 through	 Kintsugi,	 participants	 engaged	 in	 a	
constructive	 dialogue	 regarding	 various	 shared	 identities,	 and	 specifically,	 their	 condition	 as	
PwD’s.	 This	 was	 achieved	 through	 exercises	 that	 emphasized	 the	 recognition	 of	 barriers	 and	
limitations	 in	 their	 life,	 which	 allowed	 both	 PwD’s	 to	 manifest	 their	 personal	 constraints	 and	
physical	pains,	and	other	participants	to	identify	what	they	perceive	holds	them	back.
19
Photographs:	Santiago	Vallejo
20
During	the	third	encounter,	the	knowledge	learned	by	participants	throughout	the	process	was	
successfully	 strengthened,	 closing	 with	 important	 reflections	 on	 the	 possibility	 of	 creating	
alternative	 stories	where	 the	participants	can	assign	new	meanings	 to	facts,	and	if	 they	want,	
name	them	differently.	
It	 is	 important	 to	 highlight	 that	 participants	 successfully	 recognized	 the	 possibilities	 and	
challenges	inherent	to	reconciliation.	In	an	initial	exercise,	each	participant	was	asked	to	recall	
painful	memories	of	their	past	and	to	nurture	it	with	a	feeling	of	transformation	and	forgiveness.	
Furthermore,	each	person	was	recognized	as	an	agent	of	change	through	the	category:	“agent	of	
reconciliation”.	This	 term,	 proposed	 by	 Prolongar,	 created	a	 new	 identity	 for	 the	 participants,	
where	 they	 recognize	 that	 they	 now	 have	 power	 over	 their	 lives	 and	 also	 the	 possibility	 to	
transform	society.	
Afterwards,	 the	 MM&E	 coordinator	 conducted	 a	 “mental	 malleability”	 activity,	 emphasizing	
mental	plasticity,	which	expressed	the	possibility	of	the	brain,	the	mind	and	all	the	human	beings	
to	change	behaviors and	beliefs.	At	last,	to	close	the	face-to-face	encounters	and	the	workshop	
sessions	 of	 the	 project,	 the	 facilitators	 acknowledged	 the	 participants	 transformations	 and	 a	
closing	ritual	was	carried	out,	in	which	participants	had	to	identify	qualities	of	one	of	their	peers	
and	give	them	a	"wristband	of	reconciliation"	(provided	by	the	Prolongar	team).	
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Photographs:	Prolongar	team
● Unit	for	the	Victims	Assistance	and	Reparation	attended	one	of	the	sessions
The	articulation	and	coordination	with	key	institutions	in	Medellin	reinforced	the	activities	carried	
out	during	Outcome	1,	such	as	the	Unit	for	the	Victims	Assistance	and	Reparation	(UARIV).	This	
institution	 delivered	 a	 “service	 fair”	 for	 civilian	 participants,	 which	 provided	 assistance	 and	
reparation	 measures	 to	 the	 victims	 of	 the	 internal	 armed	 conflict.	 Each	 person	 received	
personalized	 attention,	 with	 an	 update	 of	 their	 processes	 as	 registered	 victims	 of	 the	 armed	
conflict	 and	 their	 effective	 inclusion	 in	 the	 reparation	 system.	 In	 addition,	 they	 all	 had	 the	
opportunity	to	meet	with	an	officer	of	the	institution	to	review	the	received	subsidies	as	victims.	
PwDs	had	the	possibility	to	execute	effective	claims	to	the	state	for	their	prostheses.
2.2.	Evaluation	results	- Outcome	1
● Trauma	healing	sessions	results
The	healing	activities	of	the	first	stage	of	the	program	reveal	that	participants	are	more	conscious	
about	their	own	body	and	emotions.	From	a	qualitative	perspective,	researchers	observed	that	
most	of	the	individuals	were	more	open	and	tolerant	at	the	end	of	the	workshops.	This	finding	is	
particularly	explicit	when	observing	veterans	and	civilians.	
The	indicator	for	this	component	refers	to	the	extent	to	which	participants	were	able	to	heal	their	
trauma.	The	way	to	operationalize	this	process	is	related	to	self-compassion	and	consciousness	
indicators	as	well	as	changes	in	the	testimonies	of	the	participants	themselves.	Figure	2	shows	
the	indicator,	variables	and	results.	Those	results	will	be	explained	in	this	section.	
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Figure	2.	Healing	processes	Indicators	and	Results
Overall,	notes	from	the	field	show	that	participants	have	learned	how	to	deal	with	emotions	such	
as	anger	and	sadness.	Although	participants	have	not	 forgotten	what	they	have	been	through,	
they	have	given	another	meaning	and	have	a	different	attitude	about	the	violent	events	of	their	
past.
This	is	a	 fragment	of	one	of	 the	 researchers’	qualitative	 report	about	one	participant	who	is	a	
former	member	of	Armed	Forces	in	Colombia:
“It	is	difficult	for	him	to	be	in	the	present	and	to	communicate	with	other	people	during	
the	workshop.	When	there	is	meditation	or	relaxation,	he	always	opens	his	eyes.	In	other	
moments,	he	stood	up	and	left the	room.	He	seems	to	be	uncomfortable”	(02/2019).
After	the	workshops,	this	is	the	report	from	our	researchers	about	the	same	participant:
“He	 listened	 to	 others	 with	 a	 lot	 of	 attention.	 His	 posture	 shows	 attention	 and	 focus”	
(03/2019).
Similarly,	positive	changes	were	observed	among	the	civilians:
“During	 all	 the	 workshop,	 he	 was	 moving	 his	 body,	 and	 he	 was	 uncomfortable	 and	
unfocused.	 He	 says	 he	 feels	 anger	 with	 others	 that	 do	 not	 understand	 his	 situation”	
(02/2019).
At	the	end	of	the	workshops,	this	participant	demonstrated	a	notorious	individual	change:
“He	likes	to	share	his	opinions.	He	does	the	breathing	activities	with	great	enthusiasm”	
(03/2019).
We	 found	 observable	 differences	 among	 groups.	 Specifically,	 in	 interviews	 conducted	 with	
participants	about	the	resignification	of	their	memories,	there	is	a	change	in	the	way	that	former	
members	of	the	Public	Force	(Retired	Veterans)	describe	their	experience	even	when	feelings	of	
sadness	persist.	In	this	group,	the	stories	show	a	transition,	beginning	with	a	description	of	the	
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fact	and	 then	a	 story	 that	gives	a	new	meaning	 to	 their	memories	including	elements	 such	as	
hope,	resistance	and	resilience.	This	progress	was	also	notorious	in	the	group	of	Civilians.
As	 a	 way	 to	 understand	 why	 civilians	 and	 veterans	 showed	 more	 progress	 in	 their	 healing	
processes,	 the	project	also	implemented	a	quantitative	strategy	 that	measured	consciousness,	
empowerment,	and	trust.	Specifically,	Figure	3	shows	the	 findings	of	the	question	“When	I	am	
going	through	a	very	difficult	time,	do	I	take	care	of	myself?”.	The	comparison	is	between	the	base	
line	(number	1)	and	the	following	up	measurement	(number	2).	Blue	color	is	“never”,	orange	is	
“sometimes”	and	gray	is	“always”.	Among	the	participants	of	the	group	of	Retired	Veterans	and	
Civilians,	there	is	a	rise	in	the	percentage	of	people	that	say	that	they	took	care	of	themselves	in	
these	situations	when	comparing	baseline	and	follow	up.	This	pattern	is	not	observable	for	PPR	
who	show	less	progress.
Figure	3.	Comparison Baseline	and	Follow-up	Self-Care	variable
In	line	with	this	last	finding	and	also	with	qualitative	data,	PPR	are	the	group	that	still	has	more	
negative	perceptions	regarding	their	healing	processes.	For	instance,	in	Figure	4	we	asked	them	
to	 tell	 us	 if	 they	 keep	 thinking	 about	 episodes	 in	 their	 life	 that	 they	 shouldn't	 worry	 about	
anymore.	All	PPR	show	signs	of	worry	about	these	episodes.
Figure	4.	Comparison	Baseline	and	Follow-up	Worry	variable
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In	addition	to	descriptive	statistics,	the	project	developed	different	means	and	tests	in	order	to	
confirm	whether	this	variance	between	baseline	and	follow-up	is	significant.
Table	1	shows	the	results	of	parametric	and	non-parametric	difference	in	means	tests	(ttest	and	
anova)	 for	 the	 variables	 that	 result	 significant	 at	 the	 individual-level	 of	 the	 healing	 processes	
component.	There	are	significant	differences	between	baseline	and	follow-up	measurement.	In	
particular,	people	are	less	worried	about	their	future	and	past	experiences.	In	general,	they	are	
also	more	confident	that	they	can	solve	the	problems	they	face.
Table	1.	Baseline	vs.	Follow	- up	individual	measurement
We	 run	 additional	 OLS	 regression	 models	 that	 point	 out	 that	 people	 who	 participate	 in	 the	
workshops	are	more	likely	to	implement	self-care	activities	in	their	lives.	They	tend	to	worry	less	
25
for	unexpected	situations	and	in	general	they	have	more	positive	attitudes	towards	life.	These	
statistical	models	also	show	that	it	is	more	likely	to	feel	more	frustration	when	people	are	younger	
(p=0.027)	 and	more	educated	 (p=0.053).	 Additionally,	more	 satisfaction	 with	 life	 is	 associated	
with	a	higher	probability	that	people	tend	to	believe	that	problems	can	be	solved	(p=0.000)	and	
less	probability	to	worry	less	about	what	will	happen	in	the	future	(p=0.048).
Overall,	 strategies	and	 tools	 from	 the	 project	were	well-received	among	 the	 participants.	The	
qualitative	and	quantitative	information	confirm	their	active	participation	as	time	went	by	in	the	
workshops.	One	powerful	way	to	illustrate	this	is	when	we	asked	them	about	what	they	did	when	
they	had	a	painful	memory.
"I	try	to	breathe	to	calm	down,	think	before	speaking	or	acting”	(Retired	Veteran).
“I	take	a	deep	breath,	I	go	to	work,	I	go	for	a	walk	to	distract	myself,	I	call	my	children”	
(Civilian).
“It	makes	me	laugh,	happiness	to	know	what	I	am	living,	how	beautiful	life	is”	(Retired	
Veteran).
“I	cry,	because	I	feel	alone,	without	family,	sometimes	I	look	for	my	friends,	I	go	to	the	
workshops	and	I	feel	happy	with	my	friends	from	the	workshop”	(Civilian).	
● Willingness,	constructive	dialogue	and	face-to-face	engagement	results
Program	monitoring	evaluated	not	only	the	individual	dimension	of	the	healing	component,	but	
also	 how	 implemented	 strategies	 may	 impact	 interpersonal	 relationships	 and	 broader	
perceptions	 about	 reconciliation	 processes.	 Therefore,	 several	 indicators	 were	 designed	 to	
measure	the	willingness	of	participants	to	recognize	and	accept	people	from	other	groups	in	their	
daily	interactions.	The	categories	that	were	measured	are	social	norms	about	discrimination	and	
beliefs,	 distributive	 justice,	 emotions	 and	 empathy,	 trust	 as	 a	 measure	 of	 social	 capital	 and	
reconciliation.	
Figure	5	shows	the	indicator,	variables	and	results.	Findings	demonstrate	the	positive	effect	of	
workshops	on	trust	and	positive	emotions	towards	PPR’s	and	victims.
26
Figure	5.	Willingness	and	constructive	dialogue	processes	Indicator	and	Results	- Trust	
and	Emotions
Empirical	evidence	from	quantitative	data	shows	that	there	is	more	trust	after	participating	in	the	
program.	For	this	purpose, we	compared	attitudes	measured	in	November	of	2018	and	May	of	
2019.	Table	2	shows	that	participants	have	significantly	increased	their	trust	in	their	families	after	
the	first	two	stages	of	the	project.	Trust	in	the	Unit	of	Victims	(the	Colombian	public	agency	for	
reparations)	 has	 also	 increased	 and	 it	 is	 significant.	 Although	 trust	 in	 the	 Public	 Agency	 of	
Reincorporation	of	PPR	is	higher	after	the	workshops,	this	result	is	not	significant.	The	results	for	
other	groups	such	as	Mayor	and	Police	are	also	higher	in	the	most	recent	measurement,	but	it	is	
not	significant.	
Table	2.	Baseline	vs.	Follow	- up	Means	difference	tests	
inter-personal	measurement
27
The	 transformations	 at	 a	 collective	 level	 are	 not	 only	 visible	 in	 the	 social	 capital	 component.	
Results	in	Figure	6	show	that	positive	emotions	towards	victims	and	PPRs	have	improved	after	the	
implementation	of	the	Willingness	component4
.
We	 can	 observe	 these	 improvements	 also	 in	 the	 interactions	 during	 workshops.	 Based	 on	
testimonies	 and	 observations	 from	 the	 researchers	 of	 the	 project,	 participants	 became	 more
tolerant,	open	and	inclusive	with	other	groups	as	long	as	they	took	part	of	the	workshops	and	
activities.	Based	on	these	observations,	we	can	interpret	that	participants	are	using	the	tools	and	
skills	 from	 the	 program,	 and	 this	 might	 be	 facilitating	 the	 interactions	 with	 other	 people	 in	
workshops.	 Precisely,	another	intermediate	indicator	 of	 the	 project	is	 related	 to	 the	extent	 to	
which	participants	are	learning	skills	for	constructive	dialogue.
 4 The	scale	takes	0	as	a	value	of	“very	negative	emotions”	and	10	as	“very	positive	emotions”.		
28
Figure	6.	Comparison	Willingness	Baseline	and	Follow-up Emotions	scale
Figure	7.	Willingness	and	constructive	dialogue	processes	
Indicator	and	Results	- Skills
29
Qualitative	evidence	indicates	that	participants	became	more	tolerant,	open	and	inclusive	with	
other	groups	as	long	as	they	took	part	of	the	workshops	and	activities.	In	their	words:	
“I	have	learned	to	be	more	tolerant,	more	human,	more	sensitive”	(05/2019)		
“I	have	forgiven	myself	for	my	actions	and	feelings	of	the	past”	(05/2019)
One	of	the	main	findings	is	that	participants	have	included	techniques	from	the	program	as	part	
of	his/her	daily	activities,	specially	when	they	face	tension	or	strong	emotions.	In	fact,	92%	of	the	
participants	do	one	or	more	actions	when	they	feel	tension	in	their	bodies.	These	actions	mainly	
include	breathing,	relaxation	and	stretching	or	working	out.	
The	link	between	that	individual	dimension	and	a	change	in	a	collective	level	is	essential	for	the	
program.	 Another	 intermediate	 indicator	 for	 this	 component	 is	 related	 to	 how	 participants	
engage	in	a	constructive	dialogue.	Figure	8	shows	the	variable	and	summary	results.	
Figure	8.	Willingness	and	constructive	dialogue	processes	
Indicator	and	Results	– Perceptions	about	other	groups
Observations	from	staff	and	researchers	from	the	project	describe	that	people	are	willing	to	talk	
about	 other	 groups	 in	 a	 setting	 of	 tolerance	 and	 open	 dialogue.	 It	 was	 possible	 to	 identify	
prosocial	attitudes	and	behaviors	that	have	changed	between	baseline	and	follow	up.
Specifically,	we	asked	participants	to	tell	us	what	would	they do	when	dealing	with	some	social	
dilemmas	 at	 daily-based	 interactions.	 We	 observe,	 in	 general,	 more	 prosocial	 actions	 in	 the	
groups	of	Retired	Veterans	and	PPR.	Figure	9	shows	the	percentage	of	participants	that	agree	with	
the	fact	that	a	son	of	a	victim	(left	figure)	and	PPR	(right	figure)	study	at	the	same	school	as	his/her	
son	or	daughter.	At	the	follow	up	measurement,	100%	of	the	participants	accept	this	possibility.	
30
Figure	9.	Comparison	Baseline	and	Follow-up	Son	studies	with	son	of	victim	(left)	or	
PPR	(right)
Similarly,	Figure	10	shows	that	participants	are	more	open	with	the	possibility	that	a	PPR	runs	as	
a	candidate	for	mayor	in	the	city.	Each	of	the	three	groups	(Civilians,	Retired	Veterans	and	PPR)	is	
more	likely	to	accept	a	candidacy	of	a	PPR	in	the	follow	up	measurement.	This	is	not	the	case	for	
victims	(who	by	the	way	already	have	a	high	percentage	of	support)	among	civilians	and	veterans,	
and	only	showed	progress	in	the	group	of	PPR.
Figure	10.	Comparison	Baseline	and	Follow-up	victim	(left)	or	PPR	(right)	run	for	office	
as	mayor	of	the	city
Finally,	 the	 project	 has	a	 positive	effect	 on	 perceptions	about	 reconciliation.	This	is	 related	 to	
another	intermediate	indicator	related	to	constructive	dialogue	in	a	setting	of	diversity	in	terms	
of	identities.	Figure	11	shows	variables	and	results.	
Figure	11.	Willingness	and	constructive	dialogue	processes	
Indicator	and	Results	– Reconciliation
31
By	 using	 a	 vignette	 question,	 we	 asked	 people	 if	 they	 believe	 that	 more	 people	 of	 their	
communities	think	that	reconciliation	with	PPR’s	is	feasible.	In	the	baseline,	50,7%	agreed	with	
this	scenario	while	62,3%	agreed	in	the	follow	up	measurement.	When	asking	the	feasibility	of	
reconciliation	with	Armed	Forces	the	result	is	57,5%	for	baseline	and	67,5%	for	follow	up.	
We	applied	means	difference	tests	for	these	questions.	As	previously	discussed,	it	is	more	likely	
that	participants	are	willing	to	accept	that	their	children	study	with	sons	of	PPR’s	(p=0.0197).
Additionally,	 people	 have	 increased	 their	 perception	 that	 reconciliation	 with	 PPR’s	 is	 possible	
(p=0.0869).	In	a	greater	proportion,	they	believe	that	more	people	of	their	communities	think	that	
reconciliation	with	PPR’s	is	feasible	(p=0.0825).	The	result	for	perceptions	of	reconciliation	with	
veterans	is	also	positive	but	not	significant.	
Table	3.	Baseline	vs.	Follow	- up	Means	difference	tests	Emotions	and	Reconciliation
People’s	opinions	confirmed	this	finding	when	they	talked	about	other	groups:
32
“They	are	people	like	anyone	else	and	we	can	all	be	useful	and	part	of	society.	We	
should	 look	 at	 where	 they	 come	 from,	 but	 instead	 what	 they	 want	 to	 do”	
(05/2019)
“They	 are	 ordinary	 people	 and	 have	 gone	 through	 situations	 similar	 or	 worse	
situations	than myself”	(05/2019).
Reconciliation	has	not	only	initiated	at	the	level	of	perceptions,	but	also	at	specific	actions.	A	total	
of	22%	of	participants	have	initiated	a	contact	with	someone	they	want	to	reconcile.
"He	 is	 a	 co-worker	 and	 we	 had	 an	 inconvenience,	 but	 I	 approached	 him	 and	
proposed	to	make	amends."
“On	Mother's	 Day	 with	 my	 sister,	 while	 we	 prepared	 lunch	 for	 my	 mother	 we	
talked	for	a	while”.
“I	forgot	the	grudge,	I	felt	that	we	were	all	the	same,	without	judging	anyone.”
“I	wrote	to	that	person	saying	that	I	wanted	to	talk	to	her,	we	met	and	talked.”
Additionally,	all	participants	have	reported	different	types	of	reconciliation	acts	with	themselves.
“With	myself,	I	have	tried	to	be	a	better	person	with	others,	accepting	others	as	
they	are	their	defects	and	their	virtues”	(Man,	Retired	veteran).
“More	tolerant,	more	human,	more	sensitive”	(Man,	Retired	veteran).
“With	 the	 people	in	 the	 neighborhood	I	started	 talking	 again,	 because	 before	I	
didn't	talk”	(Woman,	Civilians).
“Being	more	understanding,	believing,	self-confident,	responsible,	knowing	how	
to	listen,	expressive,	loving	(Man,	Civil)”.
“I	breathe	and	think,	I	no	longer	act	by	instinct”	(Woman,	Civil).	
3.Outcome	2
In	 the	 following	section	 the	implemented	activities	and	 results	of	Outcome	2	– 90%	of	civilian,	retired	
veterans	and	PPR	landmine	victims	work	together	on	a	common	goal:	the	exhibit	– are	outlined.	Section	
2.2.	will	present	the	evaluation	results	for	Outcome	2.	
3.1.	Implemented	activities
● Two	collaborative	exhibit	design	sessions	implemented	
33
After	 the	 face-to-face	 encounters,	 the	 three	 populations	 worked	 on	 the	 exhibit	 planning	 as	 a	
common	goal	that	fostered	the	links	created	during	the	face-to-face	engagement.	Two	sessions	
for	collaborative	design	of	the	exhibit	were	implemented.	During	these	sessions:	
❏ Participants	 gave	 important	 inputs	 to	 the	 final	 exhibit	 through	 various	 participative	
activities.	 They	 suggested	 key	 features	 of the	 exhibit,	 messages	 about	 disability,	
interactive	activities	to	develop	with	the	visitors,	among	others.
❏ Participants	selected,	in	a	democratic	way,	the	eight	persons	to	be	the	exhibit	guides	(two	
weeks	 later,	 two	workshops	 took	 place	 to	 train	 them	and	strengthen	 their	abilities	 to	
communicate).
❏ According	 to	 the	 work	 plan	 of	 the	 project,	 media	 outlets	 such	 as	 Teleantioquia,	
Telemedellín and	 Red+	 visited	 the	 first	 of	 these	 sessions	 to	 magnify	 the	 results	 and	
support	the	invitation	to	the	exhibit.	The	Museum	of	Modern	Art	 (MOMA)	in	Medellin	
hosted	this	session	and	offered	to	all	the	participants	and	their	families	free	tickets	to	visit	
the museum.	
❏ In	 the	second	session	of	collaborative	design	of	 the	exhibit,	and	according	 to	 the	work	
plan	of	 the	project,	we	 facilitated	a	dialogue	between	 the	participants	and	 the	REDDIS	
network.	REDDIS	is	an	important	network	of	organizations	for	people	with	disabilities.	In	
this	 session,	 ideas	 and	 perceptions	 were	 exchanged	 on	 the	 needs,	 challenges,	
achievements	and	strategies	of	assistance	for	the	population	with	disabilities	in	Medellin.	
REDDIS	also	talked	about	what	they	do	and	its	mission.
● Exhibit	scrip	design	process	
After	 the	 collaborative	 exhibit	 design	 sessions,	 the	 coordinator	 of	 the	 project	 organized	 a	
“Content	committee”	to	elaborate	the	content	of	the	exhibit.	Certainly,	this	group	considered	the	
important	 outputs	 of	 the	 previous	 sessions,	 but also	elaborated	 the	 storytelling	 of	 the	exhibit	
script.	The	main	activities	to	achieve	this	objective	included:
❏ Key	messages	definition.
❏ Text	writing	and	editing.	
❏ Testimonies’	transcription	and	selection.	
❏ Photography	selection.	
❏ Voice	recording	for	blind	people	and	guiding	exercises.	
❏ Interactive	activities	design.	
❏ Graphic	design	guidance	and	approval.	
To	see	the	final	script,	please	go	to	the	PDF	file	in	Annex	1:	Exhibit	sections	and	panels.	To	listen	
to	some	audio	recordings	of	the	exhibit,	please	go	to	Annex	2:	Audio	recordings 1	and	Annex	3:	
Audio	recordings	2.
34
In	addition,	the	coordinator	of	exhibit	designed	various	proposals	according	to	the	budget,	the	
suggestions	 of	 the	 participants	 and	 the	 disability	 approach.	 She	 designed	 the	 exhibit’s	 circuit	
around	 the	 concept	 “We	 are”	 (“Somos”	 in	 Spanish).	 The	 Prolongar	 team	 collectively	 chose	
“Encuentros	Improbables”	(Unlikely	Encounters)	as	the	name	of	the	exhibition.		These	are	some	
of	the	features	of	the	exhibit:
❏ Total	accessibility	for	people	in	wheelchairs.	
❏ Various	devices	for	blind	people	to	be	touched	or	listened.	
❏ A	very	innovative	way	to	show	the	kintsugi	pieces	through	a	kaleidoscope.	
❏ Interactive	exercises	so	that	visitors	can	participate	in	the	exhibit.
35
Photographs:	Santiago	Vallejo	&	Prolongar	team
36
To	see	the	exhibit	model	and	concept,	please	go	to	the	PDF	 file	in	Annex	4:	Exhibit	model	and	
concept.
3.2.	Evaluation	results	- Outcome	2
In	outcome	2	the	results	of	the	preparation	for	the	conditions	that	enable	participants	to	work	
with	other	groups	was	measured.	Figure	12	illustrates	this	indicator	and	shows	the	variables	and	
results:
Figure	12.	Willingness	processes	Indicator	and	Results	–
Work	together	in	exhibit
The	main	way	to	estimate	this	indicator	is	to	identify	the	number	of	participants	who	attended	
meetings	 of	 Collaborative	 Curatorship	 and	 preparation	 of	 exhibition.	 Those	 sessions	 were	
conducted	in	May	25th	and	 June	8th.	In	total,	85	people	attended	these	scenarios.	Out	of	this	
number,	51	participants	were	male	and	34	were	female.	
Additionally,	this	outcome	also	considered	the	dynamics	of	the	previous	face-to-face	encounters	
that	aimed	to	build	trust	among	participants.	From	a	quantitative	perspective,	91%	of	participants	
that	attend	healing	processes	also	participated	in	the	encounters	that	were	design	to	meet	and	
work	with	other	groups.	We	selected	the	dates	for	measurement	based	on	when	the	groups	were	
more	consolidated	and	stable	(March	for	healing	and	May	for	the	encounters).	
In	these	sessions,	participants	were	active,	open	and	tolerant	in	the	work	with	other	groups.	The	
encounters	 were	 very	 productive	 and	 respectful	 about	 differences.	 Different	 testimonies	
illustrate	 these	 situations	 and	 the	 positive	 conditions	 for	 working	 around	 the	 Exhibition.	 In	
particular,	when	we	asked	about	their	perceptions	about	PPR	before	and	after	the	workshops.	
They	said:	
Civilians
37
Before
								 “I	was	very	afraid	to	meet	these	people	and	also	a	bit	of	resentment”.
“I	didn't	like	them	because	they	hurt	me	so	much	in	the	past”.
After
“That	they	are	ordinary	people	and	have	gone	through	similar	or	worse	situations	than	
myself".
“One	is	surprised	many	times	to	see	the	very	special	human	being	that	that	person	is”.
“They	 are	 people	 who	 have	 the	 right	 to	 equality	 and	 non-discrimination.	 Many	 were	
forced”.
PPR
Before
“That	we	are	people	who	want	to	change	and	be	better	people	and	educate	our	children”.
“Many	do	not	participate	in	changing	their	lifestyle”.
After
“That	some	of	us	want	to	change	and	be	good	people”.
“They	are	more	brave,	being	here	when	the	civilian	population	was	not	prepared	to	receive	
them”.
Retired	veterans
Before
“They	were	not	sincere”.
“That	they	were	different	people,	who	don't	want	to	change	their	way	of	being,	of	thinking.	
I	thought	they	couldn't	change	those	ideologies	they	had”.
After
“They	 are	 people	 who	 deserve	 a	 new	 opportunity	 to	 see	 good	 things	 for	 a	 better	
tomorrow”.
“That	they	are	people	who	are	dedicated	to	change	their	lives	and	improve	a	social	reality	
that	was	previously	very	violent”.
“They	need	forgiveness	and	be	forgiven”.
“They	are	like	me,	with	failures	and	imperfections".
To	 sum	 up,	 this	 component	 also	 shows	 increased	 dispositions	 of	 participants	 to	 interact	 and	
accept	other	groups	not	only	inside	the	workshops,	but	also	in	their	daily	life.	Therefore,	these	
findings	reflect	more	open	and	tolerant	attitudes	at	a	collective	stage.	This	stock	of	social	capital	
and	willingness	to	dialogue	was	essential	for	the	development	of	the	next	component:	the	Artistic	
Exhibition.
38
4.	Outcome	3	and	4
Section	4.1.	outlines	 the	implemented	activities	 for	Outcome	3	– 50%	of	key	mobilizers	of	 the	private	
sector,	 the	 retired	 veterans	 and	 other	 citizens	 of	 Medellin	 that	 attended	 the	 exhibit	 decrease	 their	
stigmatization	 towards	 PPR	and	 people	with	 disabilities	– and	Outcome	 4	– 80%	 of	local	and	 national	
officers	 from	 the	 government	 (including	 armed	 forces)	 that	 attended	 the	 exhibit	 have	 an	 increased	
understanding	of	civilian,	retired	veterans	and	PPR	landmine	victims–.	Section	4.2.	presents	the	evaluation	
results	for	Outcome	3	and	4.
4.1.	Implemented	activities
● Communication	and	reach	out	strategy	
To	convene	diverse	actors	to	the	exhibit,	such	as	private	sector	mobilizers,	military	officers	and	
students,	 a	 communication	 strategy	was	 successfully	 implemented	 to	 the	 launch	event	 of	 the	
exhibit	and	its	three	showings.	
❏ An	expectancy	campaign	was	developed	in	Facebook,	Twitter	and	Instagram.	
❏ For	the	three	showings	of	the	exhibit	the	site	and	opening	hours	were	shared	online,	and	
the	launch	event	was	live	streamed	in	Facebook	Live.	
❏ Prolongar	sent	over	150	invitations	to	key	social	mobilizers	for	the	launch	event	of	the	
exhibit,	such	as	important	public	officers,	private	sector	representatives,	and	local	mass	
media	 managers.	 After	 sending	 the	 invitations,	 personal	 calls	 were	 made	 to	 ensure	 a	
proper	attendance.	
The	following	design	was	the	official	invitation	to	the	exhibit:
39
Special	attention	was	put	to	reach	regional	and	local	institutions,	Antioquia	Governor’s	Office	and	
Medellin	 Mayor’s	 Office	 were	 insistently	 convened.	 The	 Prolongar	 Foundation	 also	 sent	
invitations	to	important	national	institutions	and	organizations,	such as:
❏ Bogota	Mayor’s	Office
❏ UNICEF
❏ Presidential	Office
❏ The	Unit	for	the	Service	and	Reparation	of	Victims	(UARIV)	
❏ The	Agency	for	Reincorporation	and	Normalization	(ARN)	
❏ Public	Forces	representatives	
❏ The	Saldarriaga	Concha	Foundation
❏ The	Arcangeles	Foundation	
❏ The	Organization	of	American	States	Mission	to	Support	the	Peace	Process	in	Colombia	
(MAPP-OEA)
In	addition,	COMFAMA	and	the	University	of	Antioquia	were	key	partners	to	spread	the	invitations	
through	their	databases.	COMFAMA	sent	invitations	to	their	database	of	members,	reaching	all	
the	 private	 sector	 affiliates	 of	 this	 family	 welfare	 fund,	 which	 includes	 numerous	 important	
companies	 of	 Medellin	 and	 the	 largest	 companies	 of	 the	 Business	 Group	 of	 Antioquia5
.	 The	
University	of	Antioquia	sent	invitations	for	the	showings	to	their	students	body	and	staff.
To	 reach	 diverse	 audiences,	 Prolongar	 contacted	 and	 held	 interviews	 with	 radio	 stations,	 tv	
channels	and	online	press,	which	published	reports	sharing	the	project	experiences,	the	process	
of	the	participants	and	the	invitation	to	the	launch	event.
Click	on	the	following	links	to	see	the	most	relevant	published	reports	of	the	project:
● El	Espectador
● Red	Mas
● El	Colombiano
● W	Radio
 5 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grupo_Empresarial_Antioque%C3%B1o
40
The	 communication	 and	 reach	 out	 strategy	 also	 included	 posters	 in	 the	 public	 space	 to	 raise	
expectations	and	invite	Medellin’s	society	to	reflect	and	assist	to	the	exhibition.	The	posters	were	
published	in	several	metro	stations,	universities,	theaters	and	cultural	spaces.
Photographs:
Prolongar	team
41
● Private	ceremony	previous	to	the	launch	event
During	the	same	day	of	the	launch	event,	a	private	ceremony	between	the	Prolongar	team,	USAID	
officers	and	 the	 participants	was	 held	 to	 highlight	 the	 relevance	of	 people	engagement	in	 the	
process.	All	 participants	 received	a	 personal	certificate	acknowledging	 their	attendance	 to	 the	
sessions	and	their	active	participation	during	the	project.	A	t-shirt	with	the	name	of	the	exhibit,	
sponsored	by	COMFAMA,	was	handed	to	participants	and	their	closest	relatives	as	well.	
Photograph:	Federico	Mejia
● Exhibit	launch	event
To	launch	the	exhibit’s	first	showing,	a	public	ceremony	was	held	in	the	“Comfama	Warehouse”,	
with	the	participation	of	USAID	program	officer	Cara	George,	the	Prolongar	Foundation	executive	
director	María	Elisa	Pinto,	COMFAMA	Peace	Building	director	Camilo	Arango	and	the	participant	
of	the	project	Sergio	Arango,	as	speakers.	Overall	it	was	a	special	moment	to	acknowledge	
the	effort	invested	in	the	project	and	its	relevance	in	contemporary	Colombian	society.	
42
Photograph:	Santiago	Vallejo
In	total,	105	people	attended	to	the	launch	event	from	a	different	array	of	organizations,	including	
the	Military	Forces,	the	MAMM,	the	House	of	Memory	Museum,	COMFAMA,	the	Social	Inclusion,	
Family	&	Human	Rights	Affairs	Mayor’s	Office,	and	the	Pontifical	Bolivarian	University	(UPB).
Photographs:	Santiago	Vallejo
43
In	the	exhibit	launch,	visitors	relates	with	the	work	done	by	the	participants	of	the	three	groups,	
the	process	lived	during	the	project	and	the	Kintsugi	pieces	that	were	reconstructed	by	them.	In	
addition,	 the	 participants	 started	 their	 guidance,	 exchanging	 their	 experience,	 views	 and	
perceptions	with	the	different	visitors.	Overall,	it	was	an	opportunity	to	exchange	different	points	
of	view	regarding	reconciliation	and	the	situation of	PwD’s.
Photographs:	Santiago	Vallejo
● Leisure	day	/	Trip	to	Arvi	Park
The	 day	 after	 the	 launch	 event,	 COMFAMA	 donated	 a	 small	 trip	 to	 the	 “Arvi Park”,	 near	 to	
Medellin.	This	was	a	beautiful	way	to	close	the	project	with	the	participants,	who	shared	in	other	
settings	different	to	the	project’s	sessions.	The	differences	between	veterans,	civilians	and	PPR	
were	hardly	visible.	COMFAMA	also	considered	very	carefully	the	needs	of	people	with	disabilities	
and	organized	all	the	logistics	so	that	they	could	circulate	around	the	park	without	any	problem.	
In	this	activity,	COMFAMA	also	provided	trees	for	each	participant	so	that	they	could	plant	them	
as	a	symbol	of	reconciliation	and	peace	in	the	park.		
44
45
Photographs:	Prolongar	team
4.2.	Evaluation	results	- Outcome	3	&	4
This	 section	 corresponds	 to	 the	 results	 of	 the	 development	 of	 the	 artistic	 exhibition.	 In	 the	
museographic	performance	visitors	were	exposed	to	participants6
.	The	latter	showed	their	stories	
through	the	use	of	the	Kintsugi	technique	and	by	offering	perspective	through	their	testimonies	
to	 the	 former.	One	of	 the	indicators	 for	 this	component	 (Figure	13)	is	 related	 to	 the	potential	
effect	 of	 the	 artistic	 exhibition	 on	 decreasing	 stigmatization	 towards	 groups	 involved	 in	 the	
project.
Figure	13.	Exhibition	processes	Indicator	and	Results	– Stigmatization
At	the	beginning	of	Exhibition,	52%	of	visitors	did	not	think	that	PPR’s	are	receiving	a	lot	of	benefits	
from	 policies.	 This	 percentage	 increased	 to	 76%,	 which	 shows	 less	 stigmatization	 about	 this	
population.	Specifically,	the	percentage	of	visitors	that	have	decreased	stigmatization	compared	
to	when	they	have	not	visited	the	Exhibition	is	46%.	
 6 Take into account that most urban Colombians have not interacted with a person with a disability 
produced by the armed conflict, PPR’s or wounded veterans of the armed forces.
46
Additionally,	we	can	identify	that	after	visiting	the	Exhibition	people	think	less	that	policies	should	
prioritize	victims	rather	than	PPR’s	(77%	in	baseline	vs.	45%	in	follow	up).	This	does	not	mean	that	
victims	are	not	important,	but	it	contributes	to	equality	in	terms	of	distribution	preferences.	This	
decrease	 is	 also	 observable	 when	 comparing	 whether	 policies	 for	 civilian	 victims	 should	 be	
prioritized	instead	of policies	for	victims	from	the	Armed	Forces	(35%	in	baseline	vs.	23%	in	Follow	
Up).	
Figure	14.	Comparison	Exhibition	Baseline	and	Follow-up	Policy	Attitudes
Besides	these	questions	about	distribution	in	an	abstract	way,	the	project	also	asked	people	about	
daily	situations	that	might	happen	in	a	future	related	to	distributive	dilemmas.	Figure	15	shows	
that	people	after	the	Exhibition	are	more	willing	to	support	taxes	for	PPR	(75%	in	baseline	vs.	94%	
in	follow	up).
Findings	also	show	that	visitors	are	more	tolerant	to	accept	that	PPR’s	(from	guerrilla	groups	and	
paramilitares)	will	be	hired	in	their	workplace.	For	guerrilla	Ex-combatants	the	percentage	went	
from	58%	to	74%	and	for	paramilitaries	from	53%	to	76%.	
Figure	15.	Comparison	Exhibition	Baseline	and	Follow-up	Policy	Attitudes
47
Parametric	and	non-parametric	means	in	difference	tests	(Table	4)	identify	that	these	differences	
related	to	visitors’	perceptions	about	PPR’s	are	significant.	This	is	not	the	case	for	victims.	Results	
show	that	attitudes	towards	them	were	already	very	positive	before	the	Exhibition	and	there	is	
no	significant	increase	among	them.	Perceptions	about	armed	forces	do	not	show	any	significant	
change	either.	
In	terms	of	multivariate	analysis,	logistic	regression	models	on	these	variables	were	conducted.	
They	show	that	more	age	is	a	predictor	of	higher	support	for	taxes	for	PPR	programs	(p=0.085)	
and	 taxes	 for	 victims’ programs	 (p=0.099).	 Similarly,	 people	 after	 the	 Exhibition	 have	 more	
attitudes	that	support	taxes	for	programs	delivered	to	the	PPR	population	(p=0.073).
In	general,	after	attending	the	Exhibition,	visitors	are	less	likely	to	believe	that	PPR’s	are	receiving	
more	benefits	(p=0.044).	This	insight is	based	on	models	that	controlled	for	age,	sex,	occupation	
and	place	of	work.	
48
Table	4.	Baseline	vs.	Follow	- up	Attitudes	about	distribution
We	also	asked	visitors	before	and	after	Exhibition	about	those	words	that	they	associate	disability	
with.	 The	 words	 were	 disability,	 challenge,	 limitation,	 burden,	 irreversibility,	 opportunity,	
sadness,	overcoming,	diversity	and	sorrow.	The	words	with	a	negative	implication	were	placed	to	
the	left	in	Figure	16	and	the	ones	with	positive	emphasis	are	located	to	the	right.	It	is	possible	to	
observe	 that	 the	 rates	 of	 responses	 for	 all	 positive	 words	 such	 as	 challenge,	 opportunity,	
overcoming	and	diversity	increased	after	the	Exhibition.	Specifically,	at	the	end	of	Exhibition 81%	
of	 participants	 have	 positive	 perceptions	 about	 disabilities.	 Negative	 perceptions	 about	
disabilities	were	reduced	in	47%.	They	went	down	from	36%	at	the	beginning	of	the	Exhibition	to	
19%	when	visitors	finished	it.
Figure	16.	Comparison	Exhibition	Baseline	and	Follow-up	Policy	Attitudes
49
Regarding	PPR’s,	visitors	increase	their	positive	emotions	towards	them	after	the	Exhibition.	In	a	
1-10	scale	were	10	is	very	positive	emotions	and	1	is	very	negative	emotions,	the	baseline	average	
for	Ex-combatants	from	guerrilla	was	5.2	and	for	Ex-combatants	from	paramilitaries	was	4.9.	After	
the	Exhibition	this	coefficient	increased	to	6.1	 for	guerrilla	and	5.9	 for	paramilitaries.	Although	
some	of	the	rest	of	the	groups	reported	a	decrease	in	positive	emotions,	the	only	difference	that	
is	significant	(p=0.0782)	is	emotions	towards	ex-combatants	from	paramilitary	groups,	which	raise	
from	4.9	to	5.9.
Figure	17.	Comparison	Exhibition	Baseline	and	Follow-up	Emotions	scale
50
Based	on	testimonies	from	the	day	when	the	Exhibition	was	launched	and	the	rest	of	the	days	
when	it	was	opened	to	the	public,	positive	perceptions	towards	groups	involved	in	the	project	
have	increased.	
The	last	indicator	 for	 the	Exhibition	 component	 refers	 to	 specific	 results	 for	 Public	Officers.	In	
particular,	it	addresses	the	extent	to	which	this	group	increases	understanding	towards	civilian,	
PPR	and	retired	veterans.		
Figure	18.	Exhibition	processes	Indicator	and	Results	– Public	Officers
For	this	analysis,	we	segmented	the	database	in	order	to	study	public	officials’	perceptions.	In	a	
first	step,	we	compare	 their	attitudes	before	and	after	 the	Exhibition	and	in	a	second	step	we	
analyze	 how	 their	 perceptions	are	 different	 from	 other	 people	that	 do	 not	work	at	 the	 public	
sector.	It	is	important	 to	 say	 that	 this	 public	 officials’	group	 of	visitors	is	almost	equivalent	 to	
members	of	Armed	Forces.	This	is	because	all	but	one	public	officer	are	soldiers	or	police	officers	
from	 the	 sanitation	 brigade	 of	 Medellín,	 one	 of	 the	 largest	 in	 the	 country.	 It	 is	 the	 perfect	
population	to	observe	since	they	have	been	wounded	in	combat	and	have	never	been	in	activities	
such	as	the	one	offered	by	Prolongar.	In	addition, they	have	not	seen	other	veterans	involved	in	
this	type	of	activities	side	by	side	with	former PPR’s.		
Regarding	emotions,	public	officers	have	increased	their	positive	feelings	towards	Police	in	8.2%	
and	Militaries	3.2%	after	the	Exhibition,	but	not	towards	other	groups	(Figure	19).	Part	of	these	
findings	might	be	explained	by	the	fact	that	public	officers	are	mainly	members	of	Armed	Forces.	
51
Figure	19.	Comparison	Exhibition	Baseline	and	Follow-up	Emotions	scale	Public	Officers
On	 the	 other	 hand,	 44%	 of	 public	 officers	 have	 increased	 their	 understanding	 about	 policies	
towards	PPR.	At	the	end	of	Exhibition,	75%	of	public	officers	agree	that	a	portion	of	their	taxes	
should	 support	 reintegration	 of	 PPR	 while	 this	 percentage	 was	 52%	 before	 they	 visited	 the	
Exhibition.	 Figure	 20	 also	 points	 out	 that	 the	 level	 of	 tolerance	 about	 hiring	 a	 PPR	 in	 their	
workplace	is	not	the	same	for	guerrilla	and	paramilitaries.	In	general, there	is	more	sympathy	with	
PPR’s	from	the	paramilitaries.
Figure	20.	Comparison	Exhibition	Baseline	and	Follow-up	Policy	Attitudes	Public	Officers
52
The	analysis	is	based	on	a	disaggregated	dataset	by	visitors	from	public	sector	vs.	visitors	from	
non-public	sector	confirms	the	strong	and	positive	effect	of	being	member	of	Armed	Forces	on	
positive	emotions	towards	Policemen	and	Militaries.	People	that	do	not	belong	to	Armed	Forces	
have	more	positive	emotions	towards	PPR’s	and	victims.
Figure	21.	Comparison	Exhibition	Emotions	scale	Public	vs.	Non-Public	Sector	Visitors
Similarly,	people	that	do	not	work	in	the	public	sector	(Armed	Forces)	are	more	willing	to	support	
taxes	for	PPR	than	militaries	and	policemen	(96%	for	non-public	sector	visitors	vs.	58%	for	public	
sector	visitors).	Additionally,	they	are	more	open	with	the	possibility	that	a	PPR	is	hired	in	their	
workplace.	This	percentage	is	almost	three	times	higher	for	non-public	sector	visitors.
Figure	22.	Comparison	Exhibition	Policy	Attitudes	Public	vs.	Non-Public	Sector	Visitors
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In	terms	of	multivariate	analysis,	OLS	Regression	Models	show	that	women	tend	to	have	more	
positive	emotions	about	Ex-combatants	from	guerrilla	(p=0.007)	and	paramilitaries	(p=0.061).	On	
the	other	hand,	visitors	that	are	public	officers	(almost	all	of	them	part	of	armed	forces)	tend	to	
have	 more	 negative	 emotions	 towards	 Ex-combatants	 from	 guerrilla	 (p=0.058).	 No	 significant	
difference	was	found	for	Ex-combatants	from	paramilitaries.	
Regarding	other	groups,	public	workers	(armed	forces)	(p=0.001),	members	of	the	private	sector	
(p=0.046)	 and	 women	 (p=0.022)	 tend	 to	 have	 more	 positive	 emotions	 towards	 the	 police.	
Similarly,	 members	 of	 public	 sector	 (armed	 forces)	 have	 more	 positive	 emotions	 towards	
militaries	(p=0.000).	
Finally,	 being	 a	 woman	 (p=0.014)	 or	 a	 member	 of	 public	 sector	 (armed	 forces)	 (p=0.093)	 are	
strong	predictors	of	more	positive	emotions	towards	handicap	population.	Women	tend	to	have	
more	positive	emotions	towards	civilian	victims	(p=0.003).			
The	 last	 part	 of	 the	Exhibition	evaluation	 is	 related	 to	 beliefs	and	 stereotypes	about	 different	
groups	 involved	 in	 the	 project. We	 asked	 them	 about	 what	 they	 think	 about	 PPR’s.	 Based	 on	
coding	qualitative	evidence	from	surveys,	we	observe	that	positive	perceptions	about	PPR	have	
increased	after	people	visited	the	Exhibition.	Specifically,	the	percentage	went	from	64%	to	74%	
as	we	can	see	in	Figure	23.	
Figure	23.	Comparison	Exhibition	Baseline	and	Follow-up	Perceptions	about	PPR’s
This	aggregation	was	based	on	the	own	words	of	visitors.	Table	5	shows	the	frequencies	of	
broader	categories	that	were	created	based	on	people’s	responses.	
Table	5.	Baseline	vs.	Follow	- up	Attitudes	about	distribution	Retired	Veterans	(Frequencies)
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The	following	responses	illustrated	the	findings	and	the	impressive	and	positive	reactions	from	
most	of	the	visitors:	
“They	are	 people	who	 should	 be supported	and	 provided	 better	 opportunities”	 (Man,	
Military,	34	years	old).
“They	are	very	brave	to	face	this	hard	process”	(Man,	Student,	21	years	old).
“They	 want	 something	 different	 for	 their	 lives,	 no	 longer	 the	 uncertainty	 of	 War”	
(Woman,	Biologist,	37	years	old).
“For	something	you	start,	but	I	keep	looking	suspiciously”.	(Man,	Military,	35	years	old).
We	also	asked	visitors	what	they	think	about	civilian	victims.	Given	that	all	answers	were	positive,	
there	 is	 no	 significant	 change	 between	 positive	 and	 negative	 perceptions	 before	 and	 after	
Exhibition.	Most	responses	are	related	with	the	fact	that	these	victims	are	strong,	they	should	be	
repaired	and	that	what	happened	to	them	it	was	not	their	fault.	In	Figure	24	we	observe	more	
responses	that	mentioned	forgiveness	and	reconciliation.	
Figure	24.	Comparison	Exhibition	Baseline	and	Follow-up	Perceptions	about	Civilian	Victims
55
Table	6	shows	the	frequencies	of	the	words	that	were	mentioned.
Table	6.	Baseline	vs.	Follow	- up	Attitudes	about	distribution	Civilian	Victims	(Frequencies)
These	are	some	of	the	responses	that	support	victims	in	different	dimensions:
“They	must	be	supported,	integrated,	included in	all	dimensions	of	being”	(Man,	37	years	
old,	scientist).
“They	can	move	forward”	(Female,	19,	student).
“They	are	the	greatest	tragedy	of	this	conflict”	(Man,	28	years	old,	engineer).
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“I	 think	 they	 are	 people	 who	 have	 had	 to	 start	 from	 scratch”	 (Man,	 21,	 professional	
soldier).
Finally,	we	asked	visitors	about	the	perceptions	towards	Retired	Veterans.	All	of	the	responses	
are	also	positive	and	full	of	appreciation	to	them	for	their	service	to	the	country.	People	agree	
that	they	are	heroes	and	should	be repaired	(Figure	25).	
Figure	25.	Comparison	Exhibition	Baseline	and	Follow-up	Perceptions	about	
Retired	Veterans
The	frequencies	in	Table	7	illustrated	these	findings	with	people’s	own	words.
Table	7.	Baseline	vs.	Follow	- up	Attitudes	about	distribution	Retired	Veterans	Victims	
(Frequencies)
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The	responses	illustrate	the	findings	and	the	majority	support	to	Retired	Veterans	victims:	
“They	are	as	victims	as	civilians”	(Female,	39,	student).
“They	fight	for	the	country	and	for	a	fair	cause” (Man,	30	years,	military).
“They	have	suffered	the	decisions	of	others	and	deserve	reparation”.	(Woman,	35	years	
old,	employed).
“They	are	and	were	aware	that	that	it	would	happen,	they	should	move	forward	...	God	
gave	them	another	chance	of	life”	(Man,	30	years,	military).
Based	 on	 the	 qualitative	 and	 quantitative	 evidence	 from	 the	 measurement,	 the	 project	 has	
accomplished	 the	 goal	 for	 this	 stage	 related	 to	 decrease	 the	 grievances	 and	 advance	 in	
reconciliation	in	Medellin	through	an	increased	understanding,	reducing	stigma	and	generating	
advocacy	between	participants	and	other	key	actors	towards	prosocial	goals.	
To	conclude,	we	asked	visitors	to	give	us	any	comments	about	the	exhibition.	In	total,	27	people	
gave	comments	to	the	exhibition.	All	of	them	expressed	something	positive	and	in	6	cases	some	
recommendations	for	improvement.	These	are	some	of	their	responses,	which	are	in	general	a	
positive	and	motivating	evaluation	of	the	activity:	
“I	liked	it	a	lot,	I	think	the	exhibition	should	visit	more	places	and	then	people	can	feel	more	
empathy	and	be	open	 to	 these	interactions	 that	are	necessary”	 (Woman,	28	years	old,	
architect).
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“The	message	reached	my	heart,	sometimes	we	hold	a	grudge	in	our	hearts	and	wounds	
must	heal.	Amazing	message”	(Man,	25	years,	singer).
“An	 excellent	 proposal,	 it	 helps	 a	 lot	 to	 break	 the	 prejudices	 that	 exist	 and	 through	
empathy	to	understand	the	situation	that	the	other	is	going	through”	(Woman,	18	years	
old,	student).
“It	was	wonderful	to	be	able	to	perceive	that	my	mother	and	her	peers	had	the	opportunity	
to	be	in	such	a	beautiful	project,	where	they	are	taught	to	heal,	forgive	and	move	forward”	
(Woman,	26	years	old,	employed).
“It	 seems	 to	me	a	good	beginning	 to	 the	change	of	hearts	battered	by	 the	pain	of	 the	
absurd	war	that	we	have	lived.	Everything	starts	with	something	and	 the	bigger	plants	
start	with	a	seed,	without	a	doubt,	everything	with	a	little	effort,	heart	and	will,	can	be	
done”	(Man,	35	years	old,	military).
At	 the	 end,	 we	 asked	 people	 in	 a	 voluntary	 way	 to	 say	 something	 they	 would	 like	 to	 tell	 the	
participants	of	the	project.	These	are	some	of	their	testimonies:	
“Speak	louder	about	this	meeting	process,	replicate	it	in	many	places,	in	many	institutions.	
Colombia	needs	you	to	recognize	that	it	is	possible	to	meet	to	make	peace.	Thank	you”	
(Woman,	42	years	old,	professor).
“Thanks	for	the	effort	in	showing	your	process,	you	are	now	multipliers	of	an	experience	
to	heal	wounds.	They	are	very	good	because,	despite	their	situation,	they	continued	and	
did	not	lose	their	objective,	I	might	not	have	achieved	it	because	I	am	very	fatalistic,	but	
they	taught	me	that	when	there	is	a	desire,	you	can	move	forward”	(Woman,	37	years	old,	
biologist).
“Thank	you	very	much,	you	have	put	a	grain	of	sand	to	this	longed-for peace.	Thank	you”	
(Male,	31	years	old,	military).
“I	feel	and	live	their	stories, I	am	willing	to	give	all	my	energy	so	that	we	live	in	peace	and	
harmony.	This	Exhibition	is	the	best	example	of	whether	peace and	reconciliation	can	be	
achieved	in	 our	 families,	 our	interior,	 society,	 Colombia	 and	 the	world.	Thank	you	very	
much”	(Man,	48	years	old,	engineer).
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5.	Outcome	5
This	section	presents	the	implemented	activities	and	results	of	Outcome	5	–REDDIS	is	a	re-enforcement	
network	that	sustains	trust,	shared	identities	and	common	goals	achieved	through	the	people	to	people	
approach	and	advance	people	with	disabilities’	advocacy.	
● REDDIS	disengagement	to	the	project
To	 achieve	 this	 outcome,	 the	 coordinator	 of	 the	 project	 had	 a	 first	 meeting	 in	Medellin	 with	
REDDIS	network	on	November	2018.	In	that	meeting	with	REDDIS	coordinator,	Omaira	García,	the	
project	was	presented	in	detailed	and	REDDIS	expressed	its	interest.	Then,	in	March	2019,	the	
coordinator	of	the	project	also	contacted	the	NGO	“Amigos	con	Calor	Humano”	which	is	the	main	
member	organization	affiliated	to	REDDIS.	She	held	meetings	with	the	CEO	of	this	organization	
and	other	leaders,	to	present	the project,	including	REDDIS	involvement	during	March	and	May.	
Although	 the	 organization	 showed	 an	 enormous	 interest,	 they	 also	 expressed	 their	 concerns	
about	the	space	the	exhibit	will	occupy.	
Thanks	to	all	this	previous	contact,	REDDIS	invited	the	project	coordinator	to	its	general	meeting	
in	June	7th,	2019,	where	all	the	organizations	and	members	attended.	She	had	an	hour	to	present	
the	project,	where	she	pointed	out	that:	
❏ REDDIS	will	show	the	exhibit	twice	in	Medellin,	with	the	financial	support	of	the	project.
❏ Showing	 the	 exhibit	 in	 other	 places	 around	 the	 city	 will	 continue	 promoting	 the	
involvement	of	people	 from	various	levels	and	positions	in	Medellin’s	society	in	 topics	
such	as	reconciliation,	inclusion	of	people	with	disability,	among	others.	
❏ At	the	end	REDDIS	will	be	a	reinforced	network	that	sustain	trust,	shared	identities	and	
common	goals	achieved	through	the	project’s	people	to	people	approach.
❏ Prolongar	Foundation	will	donate	the	exhibit	to	REDDIS,	and	specifically	to	“Amigos	con	
calor	humano”	NGO,	which	is	a	legal	entity	 (REDDIS	is	only	a	network	but	has	no	legal	
entity	status).		
❏ Participants	will	be	guides	and	artists	of	showings	organized	by	REDDIS.	This	will	sustain	
the	 results	achieved	in	 the	 project,	and	 promote	 the	 ownership	 of	 the	exhibition	as	a	
collective	project	with	REDDIS.	
It	 was	 a	 very	 fruitful	 session	 where	 all	 inquiries	 were	 answered.	 However,	 they	 continue	
expressing	their	concerns	on	the	space	they	had,	and	the	logistics	of	the	exhibit	showings.	Finally,
in	July	5th,	REDDIS	sent	an official	letter	to	Prolongar	Foundation	declining	the	opportunity	(See	
Annex	5:	REDDIS	official	letter).	The	following	is	an	excerpt	of	the	letter:	
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I	would	like	to	inform	you	that	after	extensive	discussions	within	the	Network,	it	was	concluded	
that	 the network	 cannot	 take	 over	 the	 aforementioned	 works	 of	 art,	 since	 we	 do	 not	 have	 a	
physical	space	to	house	them	with	the	required	care.
● Prolongar	leading	the	traveling	exhibit
Given	this	situation,	and	to	fulfill	Outcome	5	and	the	workplan,	Prolongar	Foundation	decided	to	
show	twice	the	exhibit	in	other	places	in	Medellin,	in	partnership	with	other	organizations.	The	
travelling	exhibit	was	additionally	shown	in	the	Piloto	Public	Library	– from	the	2nd	to	the	6th	of	
August–,	and	the	San	Javier	Public	Library	– from	the	9th	to	the	16th	of	August–.	
- Showing	in	the	Piloto	Public	Library:
Photographs:	Participants
- Showing	in	the	San	Javier	Public	Library:
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Photographs:	participants
62
In	the	following	table	we	summarized	the	total	attendance	of	the	exhibit,	including	the	showings	
in	the	public	libraries.	We	estimated	200	visitors	as	a	goal	for	the	project,	and	we	surpassed	this	
goal	by	receiving	more	than	550	visitors:
● COMFAMA	engagement	to	achieve	outcome	5
As	 mentioned	 before,	 COMFAMA,	 a	 Colombian	 family	 welfare	 fund	 based	 in	 Antioquia,	 has	
become	the	strongest	partner	of	the	project.	Besides	all	the	support	that	this	organization	gave	
to	the	project	(launch	event	venue,	logistics,	workshops	and	technical	assistance),	COMFAMA	has	
accepted	to	receive	the	exhibit	as	a	donation.	
COMFAMA	 aims	 to	 continue	 showing	 the	 exhibit	 around	 its	 multiple	 offices	 and	 venues	 for	
recreational	activities.	They	have	numerous	offices	not	only	in	 the	city	of	Medellin	but	around	
Antioquia	department,	one	of	the	most	affected	areas	by	the	armed	conflict.	COMFAMA	has	a	
strong	commitment	 to	sustain	 the	goals	achieved	 through	 the	project,	and	has	proven	 to	be	a	
very	important	partner	for	“Art	for	Reconstruction”	and	its	network.	
● Other	partner	organizations	to	sustain	the	project’s	goals	
The	project	has	succeeded	in	bringing	together	other	partner	organizations,	with	the	support	of	
USAID	 Colombia	 and	 the	 initiative	 of	 the	 Executive	 Director.	 The	 aim	 has	 been	 to	 sustain	 the	
project’s	 goals	 and	 also	 to	 make	 a	 link	 between	 participants	 and	 the	 services	 that	 these	
organizations	offer	to	vulnerable	populations.
63
❏ Konrad	 Adenauer	 Foundation:	 Thanks	 to	 the	 Executive	 Director’s	 initiative	 to	 involve	
other	partners	to	the	project,	the	German	Konrad	Adenauer	Foundation	decided	to	fund	
a	multimedia	bilingual	website	of	the	project,	including	a	virtual	circuit	of	the	exhibit,	the	
edition	of	 8	videos	 (one	of	 these	videos	was	 part	of	 the	exhibit	as	well)	and	 the	main	
results	of	the	project.	
Their	support	also	includes	a	launch	event	in	Bogota,	with	 the	guides	participation.	All	
these	 new	 activities	 and	 products	 cost	 $79.960.000	 Colombian	 pesos	 (around	 34.000	
USD).	
This	 website	 expands	 the	 impact	 of	 the	 project,	 reaching	 other	 audiences	 around	 the	
world	interested	in	art-based	reconciliation	initiatives.	It	also	includes	recommendations	
and	 best	 practices	 for	 policy	 makers	 in	 Colombia	 involved	 in	 the	 peace	 process	
implementation.
❏ Archangels	 Foundation:	 This	 organization	 opened	 a	 training	 to	 get	 a	 certification	 on	
sports	 management	 for	 PwDs.	 5	 participants	 were	 interested	 in	 participating	 and	
Prolongar	Foundation	gave	their	contact	information	to	Archangels.	
❏ UARIV:	 as	 mentioned	 before,	 the	 UARIV	 organized	 a	 “service	 fair”	 for	 the	 project	
participants.	During	this	two	hour	session,	the	institution	brought	a	groups	of	officers	to	
give	personalized	attention	to	each	individual.	After	this	session,	follow	up	actions	have	
been	carried	out	for	specific	cases.	
❏ EAFIT	 University:	 EAFIT	 University	 has	 been	 another	 strategic	 partner	 for	 monitoring	
activities	and	evaluation.	From	the	beginning	of	the	project	this	contact	was	established,	
which	contributed	 to	 the	project	with	 the	volunteer	work	of	 two	researchers	 from	 the	
Department	of	Political	Science.	Additionally,	the	university	facilitated	the	use	of	spaces	
for	workshops	and	for	other	activities.	
6.	Other	Results	
This	section	presents	other	intended	and	unintended	results	of	the	project	that	are	not	part	of	Outcome	
1	- 5,	and	deserve	to	be	highlighted.	
● USAID	Mission	visit	implemented	
On	 the	24th	of	May,	Danielle	Spinard	– CMM	POC	 (Point	of	Contact)	 for	 the	USAID	Mission	in	
Colombia	– and	Hernando	Sánchez	– USAID
Development	Specialist	– met	the	Prolongar	Foundation	team	and	7	participants	to	oversee	the	
development	of	“Art	 for	Reconstruction”	project.	This	session	took	place	in	EAFIT	University	in	
Medellin.	With	the	participation	of	Maria	Elisa	Pinto	–Prolongar’s	executive	director	and	project	
coordinator–,	Andres	Casas	–MM&E	consultant	of	the	project–,	and	Angélica	Nieto	–one	of	the	
main	facilitators–,	the	meeting	was	an	opportunity	to	expose	Art	for	Reconstruction	main	results.	
64
USAID	officers	talked	to	the	participants,	who	had	the	chance	to	express	the	transformations	they	
have	experienced	during	the project	in	their	own	words	and	perspective.	
The	 following	 testimonies,	 collected	 during	 this	 visit,	 are	 a	 strong	 evidence	 of	 the	 behavioral,	
emotional	and	attitudinal	change	that	“Art	for	Reconstruction”	achieved.	They	also	highlight	how	
Prolongar	Foundation	approach	differs	from	other	projects	implemented	with	these	populations:
“I	didn’t	think	I	was	going	to	forgive	…	I	have	been	a	victim	of	the	State	and	of	the	illegal	
armed	groups.	Through	breathing,	they	taught	me	how	to	control	my	emotions;	on	the
human	side,	they	taught	me	how	to	love	other	people,	how	to	value	all	they	have	done	
and	what	we	can	do	in	order	to	grow,	to	be	good	people	in	our	homes,	with	our	families	
and	overcome	such	traumas.	I	have	noticed	this	change	myself,	but	also	my	entire	family	
has”.	(Retired	Veteran)	
"Prolongar has	made	a	difference	in	the	processes	and	in	the	methodological	path.	The	
main	difference	with	other	processes	is,	as	it	is	said,	"to	start	from	the	beginning".	In	order	
to	achieve	reconciliation	in	society,	we	have	to	start	 from	the	person.	We	have	to	start	
checking,	as	we	have	done	in	the	workshops,	those	roots	that	feed	our	souls	or	that	make	
us	 weak.	 When	 the	 person	 is	 full	 of	 hate,	 resentment	 and	 desire	 of	 vengeance,	 it	 is	
necessary	to	work	on	that	first,	to	afterwards	reaching	understanding	and	forgiveness	of	
the	other”.	(Civil	man)	
"I	highlight	Prolongar’s	work,	I	now	admit	that	we	are	able	to	change,	to	forgive,	and	now	
I	believe	in	reconciliation.	With	the	work	we	have	been	doing	so	far,	step	by	step,	we	have	
become	in	replicating	agents,	because	our	deeds	spread	consciously	and	unconsciously	in	
our	families.	I	don't	know	how	many	"Prolongars"	there	would	have	to	exist	to	spread	this	
arduous	task.	But	it's	a	beautiful	work	what	they	are	doing”.	(Civil	woman)	
"I	have	learnt	a	lot,	things	I	had	never	seen,	and	it	has	helped	me	a	lot	in	my	daily	life.	The	
power	of	breathing,	of	self-control.	I	was	too	explosive,	too	much,	I	was	a	highly	intolerant	
person.	 I	 have	 learnt	 that	 each	 human	 being	 is	 different,	 and	 we	 all	 have	 different	
difficulties	in	our	daily	live.	Prolongar	and	all	its	team	have	taught	me	how	to	forgive,	how	
to	heal.	If	there	were	more	people	with	the	will	to	achieve	this	work,	as	Prolongar	does,	I	
know	that	many	would	be	as	thankful	as	I	am.	This	is	a	proof	that	we	can	reconcile,	rebuild	
something	to	be	better	day	after	day.	It	is	always	beautiful	to	say	things	from	the	inside,	
from	ourselves,	from	the	self,	from	tranquility".	(Retired	Veteran)	
"Before	I	started	these	workshops,	in	November,	I	hadn't	completed	my	mourning.	I	was	
not	aware	that	I	had	to	heal	from	the	inside,	neither	that	I	had	to	make	awareness	of	what	
was	happening.	But	with	Prolongar,	I	started	to	personally	grow	and	I	learnt	to	see	the	life	
in	another	way,	to	think	and	feel	differently".	(Civil	woman)	
65
"All	this	process	we	have	developed	has	allowed	me	to	see	the	other	as	a	human	being,	
leaving	away	the	idea	of	"military"	or	"Ex-combatant	",	or	"civilian".	I	now	see	the	other	
as	 a	 human	 being,	 as	 a	 person	 who	 has	 emotions,	 feelings,	 and	 feels	 pain	 as	 I	 do,	
regardless	of	where	he/she	has	been.	Thank	you	for	this	support	so	we	can	start	building	
a	new	society	and	new	ways	of	seeing	each	other,	and	to	act	among	each	other”.	(Civil	
man)	
● Guiding	experience	and	transformation:
After	training	the	selected	participants	to	be	guides	for	the	exhibit,	they	embraced	their	role	as	
representatives	of	the	project	from	a	very	deep	and	empowered	commitment.	As	a	criterion	for	
selection	was	time	availability,	a	lot	of	the	guides	who	applied	for	the	work	did	not	had	full	time	
jobs.	Precisely,	the	time	availability	allowed	these	participants	to	attend	to	almost	every	session	
of	the	project.	Thus,	they	were	very	aware	of	the	reconciliation	process,	and	the	exhibits	meant	
an	opportunity	to	feel	appreciated	and	valuable	to	society.	
In	 addition,	 the	 Prolongar	 Foundation	 signed	 a	 formal	 agreement	 of	 volunteer	 work	 with	 the	
guides,	to	recognize	and	foster	their	support	and	commitment	to	the	process.	For	this	process,	
Prolongar	Foundation	subscribed	a	collective	insurance	policy	to	cover	any	possible	risk	during	
the	voluntary	work.	
Daily,	 the	 guides	 reported	 their	 results	 to	 the	 Foundation,	 as	 well	 as	 unexpected	 events	 and	
problems	to	handle	and	solve.	Several	testimonies	from	the	visitors	were	collected	daily	as	well,	
both	through	video	and	audio	recording.	Through	a	WhatsApp	group,	the	guides,	the	facilitators	
and	the	Foundation	staff	kept	in	permanent	contact.	The	facilitators	sent	numerous	supporting	
messages	to	the	guides,	acknowledging	their	hard	work.	In	return,	the	guides	started	to actively	
support	each	other,	for	instance,	sending	encouraging	messages	at	the	begging	of	the	workday	to	
support	 their	 colleagues	who	 had	 shift	 that	 day.	As	illustrated	in	 this	 testimonies:	 “I	wish	you	
success	today,	may	God	keep	and	accompany	you,	you	are	very	much	loved,	blessings”	and	“Good	
morning	teammates,	I’m	very	willing	to	start	the	day	for	the	best,	I	hope	that	with	the	help	of	God	
we	will	do	very	well.	And	I’m	very	grateful	to	everyone”.
In	 other	words,	 the	guiding	experience	 became	also	a	 re-enforcement	 network	 that	 sustained	
trust,	 shared	 identities	 and	 common	 goals	 achieved	 through	 the	 people	 to	 people	 approach	
(outcome	5).	As	 the	group	and	work	dynamic	unfolded,	guides	 started	 to	 share their	personal	
process.	 One	 of	 them	 manifested:	 “today	 a	 lot	 of	 people	 has	 come.	 We	 are	 eager	 to	 create	
awareness	in	the	visitors	and	have	the	possibility	to	share	the	exhibit	and	the	process	it	entailed”.	
Afterwards,	deep	reflections	took	place,	showing	an	awareness	of	what	the	process	has	meant	
for	them	and	for	the	visitors:	“Above	all,	another	reality	has	been	shown,	another	form	of	seeing	
the	world.	People	have	received	the	exhibit	as	something	wonderful,	allowing	them	to	see	that	
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they	can	explore	paths	to	reconciliation	and	transform	this	society.	It’s	hard	to	explain	and	express	
the	feelings	that	people	have	shown	us	while	visiting	the	exhibit,	but	it	has	felt	so	good	to	receive	
people	who	said	us	“I	want	to	hug	you”	or	“I	appreciate	so	much	that	you	have	shown	this”	or	
“what	you	are	doing	is	something	to	admire”.	It’s	something	that	has	no	price,	that	completes	our	
souls	and	inspires	us	to	keep	going	on”.
● Visitors	reactions	and	comments
Manifold	reactions	and	positive	comments	of	the	exhibit	were	recorded	by	the	guides	during	the	
showings,	 in	 which	 it	 was	 possible	 to	 understand	 the	 reach	 and	 possibilities	 that	 art-based	
approaches	provide	to	reconciliation	in	a	broader	social	scope.	For	a	lot	of	people,	as	it	was	for	
the	guides,	the	exhibit	was	an	example	of	how	it	is	possible	to	transform	society.	The	following	
testimonies	present	some	general	perceptions	of	the	visitors:
“It	truly	leaves	me	surprised	and	shocked.	The	exhibit	shows	how	encounters	unlikely	to	
happen	can	be	possible.	It	shows	how	many	people	who	do	not	know	each	other,	and	who	
do	not	even	know	themselves,	have	everything	to	deliver	and	bring	in	into	the	encounter	
of	the	others”
“I	 feel	 this	 information	 would	 be	 useful	 for	 everyone	 because	 we	 are	 living	 in	 a	 very	
conflictive	country. Every	one	of	us	needs	to	stop	and	breathe”
“I	take	within	me	two	ideas	of	this	exhibit:	scars	are	the	linings	of	memory.	And	there	is	a	
possibility	to	understand	each	other	without	the	stereotypes,	without	stigmatizing;	we	can	
recognize	each	other	as	persons”		
7.	Conclusions
Civilian	victims,	Retired	Veterans	and	PPR	with	disabilities	due	to	the	armed	conflict	may	be	perceived	as	
enemies	and	are	often	socially	marginalized,	with	limited	access	to	comprehensive	reparation	and	trauma	
healing	processes.	Art	for	Reconstruction	used	art-based	approaches	to:
i)	Enable	understanding	and	empathy	among	these	populations.
ii)	Decrease	stigmatization	coming	from	other	citizens	of	Medellin,	and
iii)	Foster	understanding	among	officers	towards	people	that	have	faced	social	discrimination	and	intense	
violence	dynamics.
During	 the	 project,	 the	 Prolongar	 Foundation	 applied	 its	 three	 dimensions’	 methodology,	 promoting	
effective	trauma	healing	and	self-consciousness	in	participants	at	the	individual	dimension;	empathy	and	
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conflict	 resolution	 among	 these	 three	 populations	 at	 the	 interpersonal	 dimension;	 and	 increased	
understanding	from	society	at	the	social	dimension.
After	 a	 year	 of	 hard	 work	 in	Medellin,	 it	 is	 possible	 to	 state	 that	 Art	 for	 Reconstruction	 has	 fostered	
reconciliation	in	a	broader	scope,	developing	a	sustainable	model	suitable	for	replicability	in	a	larger	scale.	
These	are	the	main	conclusions	and	insights	of	the	project:
1. Kintsugi:	a	paradoxical	and	robust	metaphor	for	reconciliation.
Kintsugi	has	proven	to	convey	an	emotional	metaphor	that	inspires	people,	as	it	simultaneously	integrates	
the	possibility	of	resilience	and	fragility,	allowing	the	identification	of	strengths	and	vulnerabilities	at	the	
same	 time.	The	 Kintsugi	metaphor	illustrates	a	potential	paradox	in	 times	of	 transitional	justice,	 since	
reconciliation	often	implies	the	promotion	of	opposite	or	even	exclusive	values	or	concepts.	In	the	words	
of	the	anthropologist	Alejandro	Castillejo,	"transitions	imply	the	collapse	of	a	dichotomized	way	of	seeing	
the	 world	 in	 which	 there	 is	 a	 separation	 between	 friends	 and	 enemies	 (...)	 or	 between	 patriots	 and	
terrorists,	who	inhabit	totally	separate	fields"	(La	Silla	Vacía,	2018).	On	the	other	hand,	John	Paul	Lederach	
suggests	transcending	this	trend	through	a	paradoxical	approach,	which	holds	them	together	and	offers	
an	account	that	goes	constructively	beyond	the	expected	in	some	areas	(Lederach,	1995,	2005).
This	paradoxical	approach	is	embraced	by	the	Kintsugi	metaphor,	which	enables	reflection	and	emotional	
engagement	 through	 various	 paradoxes:	 the	 beauty	 of	 imperfection,	 the	 transformation	 of	 the	 past	
through	the	present,	the	outcome	as	a	process,	and	the	possibility	of	a	systemic	personal	change	(this	is	
further	explained	in	the	upcoming	conclusions).	On	the	other	hand,	the metaphor	grounds	on	the	 fact	
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that	every	human	being	has	once	been	broken.	The	power	of	the	metaphor	is	that	everyone	can	find	a	
deep	meaning	related	to	the	broken	pieces	of	his/her	story,	and	the	act	of	repairing.		
Finally,	 the	 process	 allows	 people	 to	 externalize	 the	 intangible	 transformations	 they	 experience	 into	
something	 material.	 From	 Lederach’s	 paradoxical	 approach,	 the	 process	 is	 as	 fundamental	 as	 the	
outcome.	The	Kintsugi	piece	is	not	an	object	whose	pieces	have	simply	been	joined	together.	In	“Art	for	
Reconstruction”	 it	 is	 a	 symbolic	 object	 that	 embodies	 trauma	 healing,	 resilience,	 and	 the	 connectors	
identified	by	former	adversaries	to	create	a	different	and	peaceful	present.
2. Art	 for	 Reconstruction	 strengthened	 abilities	 in	 participants	 that	 became	 new	 habits	 and	
sustainable	transformations	in	their	lives.
As	 final	 results	 portray,	 92%	 of	 participants	 use	 different	 tools	 and	 abilities	 (breathing,	 emotional	
regulation,	etc.)	learnt	during	the	project	when	they	feel	tension	in	their	bodies	or	strong	emotions.	The	
fact	that	people	have	acquired	these	tools	and	resources,	and	apply	them	in	their	daily	life,	refers	to	the	
possibility	of	generating	sustained	transformations	over	time.	These	abilities	aren’t	just	important	means	
to	face	difficult	situations,	but	are	essential	to	nourish	emotional	health	over	time.
To	 achieve	 this	 important	 result,	 the	 methodology	 included	 the	 repetition	 of	 many	 exercises	 that	
stimulate	 the	 parasympathetic	 nervous	 system,	 and	 help	 persons	 to	 regulate	 difficult	 emotions.	 For	
instance,	exercises	to	stimulate	deep	breathing,	tension	release,	and	body	awareness	were	part	of	all	the	
sessions.	 Through	 repetition,	 these	 movements	 and	 actions	 started	 becoming	 familiar,	 a	 relevant	
outcome	if	we	consider	the	“familiarity	heuristic”	(Dale,	2015).	This	is	a	principle	of	decision-making	that	
allows	someone	to	approach	an	issue	based	on	the	familiar	outcomes	or	actions	through	which	they	have	
faced	similar	situations	in	the	past.
As	studies	have	shown,	when	people	encounter	difficult	tasks	or	inferences,	they	are	more	likely	to	choose	
the	familiar	object	or	behaviour	known	to	them	(Shirasuna,	Honda,	Matsuka	&	Ueda,	2017).	Emphasis	in	
repeating	enable	the	adoption	of	new	habits	and	abilities	-which	become	familiar	to	participants- to	be	
applied	when	feeling	strong	emotions,	stress	situations	or	tension.	This	transcends	the	workshops	and	the	
project	itself,	and	has	a	sustainable	projection	in	the	future.
3. Transformations	at	the	individual	dimension	made	possible	transformations	at	the	interpersonal	
level,	 revealing	 through	 results	 the	 connection	 between	 individual	 healing	 and	 social	
reconciliation.
The	 application	 of	 personal	 abilities	 positively	 affected	 participants	 personal	 environments	 and	 social	
surroundings,	and	their	potential	to	relate	with	other	people	as	well.	The	qualitative	evidence	indicates	
that	all	participants	initiated	different	types	of	reconciliatory	acts	with	themselves	or	with	the	others,	and	
at	the	same	time	referred	to	techniques	based	on	dialogue,	communication	and	openness.
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As	results	for	the	constructive	dialogue	stage	portray,	the	trust	of	participants	with	their	families	(10.8%)	
and	friends	(3.5%)	increased	after	the	trauma	healing	stage7
,	as	well	as	their	level	of	acceptance	of	ex￾combatants	and	victims	in	their	lives.	Thus,	the	individual	healing	was	the	base	where	relationships	with	
the	others	(adversaries	under	war	logics,	relatives	and	friends)	started	changing.	As	participants	have	dealt	
with	 their	 own	 personal	 reconciliation	and	 healing,	 they	 thought	and	 started	acting	 different	 towards	
other	people.	The	individual	healing	and	inward	process	allowed	participants	to	keep	those	transformed	
relationships	and	nourish	them	with	empathy	and	understanding.
In	relation	to	the	other	groups,	and	after	the	constructive	dialogue	workshops,	all	participants	believed	
that	reconciliation	with	PPR’s	was	possible	and	at	the	same	time,	all	of	them	were	willing	to	attend	the	
face-to-face	encounters8
.
4. Group	dynamics	geared	strong	bonds	between	participants	for	their	collective	understanding	and	
individual	transformation.
Even	though	Art	for	Reconstruction	highly	considered	personal	healing,	key	transformations	throughout	
the	process	 took	place	in	collective	stances	 that	enabled	strong	bonds	 to	emerge.	If	 trauma	represses	
positive	emotions	and	trust	in	human	relationships,	it	is	in	the	feeling	of	belonging	or	related	to	others	
where	this	transformation	is	also	possible.
In	the	project,	each	person	was	always	part	of	a	group,	with	the	others	as	active	peers	and	witnesses	of	
their	individual	and	collective	transformation.	In	addition,	in	group	dynamics,	participants	had	the	other	
person	as	a	mirror	 for	 their	own	 transformations.	As	ethnographic	observations	captured,	participants	
constantly	manifested	how	their	peers	where	positively	changing,	which	was	both	a	way	to	support	them	
and	to	understand	that	individual	transformations	do	happen.
Furthermore,	 this	 allowed	 strong	 relations	 of	 friendship	 to	emerge	 and	 remain	 in	 the	 present,	 where	
participants	 still	 support each	 other	 to	 keep	 changing	 beyond	 the	 scope	 of	 the	 workshops.	 For	 some	
people	this	has	been	a	life	changing	experience,	finding	in	other	participants	strong	ties	to	society	and	a	
new	sense	of	purpose	to	re-engage	in	a	collective	project	of	life.	In	this	sense,	it	is	possible	to	understand	
that	the	value	of	social	transformation	lays	in	the	possibility	of	individuals	to	make	supporting	and	lasting	
relationships,	as	they	collectively	heal	their	wounds.
5. Emotional	approaches	to	reconciliation	should	be	a	priority	for	policy	making	after	the	signature	
of	peace	agreements
 7 Even	though	the	trust	of	participants	has	increased	with	other	groups,	the	finding	with	family	and	friends	have	
statistical	significance.
8 It	is	important	to	state	that	some	participants	didn’t	attended	the	face-to-face	encounters	due	to	personal	
circumstances,	but	all	of	them	manifested	their	will	to	meet	the	participants	of	the	other	groups.	
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Art	for	Reconstruction	was	grounded	on	the	premise	that	rational	deliberations	alone	are	unlikely	to	be	
sufficient	to	promote	reconciliation	in	the	aftermath	of	violent	conflict.	This	is	because	“after	extensive	
empirical	research,	the	psychologists	William	Longe	and	Peter	Brecke	(2003)	conclude	that,	at	least	in	the	
case	of	reconciliation	following	civil	wars,	an	evolutionarily	determined	emotionally	driven	pattern,	not	
purposeful	rational, transforms	aggression	into	empathy	and	desire	for	revenge	into	desire	for	affiliation”	
(Cohen	2005,	2).	Art-based	methodologies	engage	us	on	both	sensory	and	cognitive	levels,	and	this	is	why	
they	are	so	effective	in	transforming	relationships	towards	reconciliation.		
However,	 psychosocial	 and	 cultural	 approaches	 may	 be	 overlooked	 during	 peacebuilding	 phases.	 As	
Cynthia	Cohen	pointed	out	back	in	2005,	“in	 the	aftermath	of	violent	conflict,	investing	in	artistic	and	
cultural	renewal	is	not	likely	to	be	at the	top	of	the	agendas	of	negotiators	or	administrators	who	plan	for	
reconstruction.	More	likely,	the	arts	will	be	seen	as	luxuries	that	must	be	sacrificed	until	basic	needs	for	
food,	clothing,	shelter	and	security	are	met”	(Cohen,	2005,	2).
Art	for	Reconstruction	has	also	proven,	by	evidence	and	results,	the	importance	of	these	approaches.	As	
evaluation	results	portray,	after	the	constructive	dialogue	and	face-to-face	engagement	stage,	a	100%	of	
participants	believe	that	reconciliation	with	PPR’s	is	possible	and	a	92.3%	believe	that	reconciliation	with	
the	 armed	 forces	 is	 possible.	 Moreover,	 regarding	 transformations	 in	 cultural	 terms,	 a	 100%	 of	
participants	 say	 that	 there	 is	 no	 reason	 to	 justify	 discrimination.	 However,	 within	 the	 framework	 of	
peacebuilding	and	transitional	justice	in	Colombia, there	is	also	a	trend	to	overlook	the	importance	of	art￾based	peacebuilding	activities	in	personal	change	and	emotional	education.	This	is	contrary	to	the	spirit	
of	the	Peace	Agreement	signed	between	the	FARC-EP	and	the	Colombian	government,	which	includes	a	
whole	point	related	 to	psychosocial	rehabilitation	and	emotional	recovery	at	 the	individual	level	 (Final	
agreement	for	the	termination	of	the	conflict	and	the	construction	of	a	stable	and	lasting	peace, 2016).
Art-based	 reconciliation	 approaches	 are	 then	 effective	 tools	 to	 transform	 individuals	 and	 their	
relationships	 by	 engaging	 the	 emotional	 and	 cognitive	 dimensions.	 In	 addition,	 they	 are	 also	 a	 very	
important	 vehicles	 to	 achieve	 transformations	 at	 the	 personal	 and	 the	 systemic	 level. From	 the	
paradoxical	 approached	 mentioned	 before,	 proposed	 by	 Jean	 Paul	 Lederach,	 both	 must	 be	 pursued	
together	to	produce	real	social	change.	Since	art	and	cultural	activities	entail	communicating	and	sharing	
with	others,	they	are	also	effective	tools	to	impact	an	important	number	of	people.
In	 Art	 for	 Reconstruction	 this	 was	 achieved	 through	 the	 exhibit	 “Unlikely	 Encounters”.	 Instead	 of	
displaying	gross	facts,	such	as	the	amount	of	PwD’s	in	Colombia	or	the	levels	of	violence	faced	in	the	past	
by	the	three	participant	populations,	Unlikely	Encounters	shared	the	reconciliatory	process	lived	by	the	
participants	and	invited	more	than	550	visitors	to	engage	in	their	own	process.	Many	artistic	tools	and	key	
messages	aimed	to	mobilize	the	visitors,	change	their	perceptions	towards	PPR	and	PwDs,	and	strengthen	
their	empathy.	This	museographic	experience	 included	 information	 or	 illustrations	 to	 be	 perceived	 by	
multiple	 senses	 (hearing,	 touch),	or	even	invitations	 to	engage	 through	deep	breathing	or	lying	in	 the	
floor.
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As	results	portray,	46%	of	the	visitors	reduced	their	stigmatization	towards	the	three	groups,	and	negative	
perceptions	of	disabilities	were	reduced	in	47%.	An	emotional	language,	which	recognizes	 the	 feelings	
rooted	in persons	and	conveys	them	to	the	others,	proved	to	be	effective	to	achieve	social	reconciliation.	
Outstanding	results	manifest	that	visitors	significantly	reduced	their	stigmatization	and	negative	feelings	
towards	PPR’s,	what	can	be	seen	as	a	direct	outcome	of	the	emphasis	on	conveying	shared	humanity	and	
empathy.	Bearing	in	mind	the	scope	of	the	exhibition,	it	is	important	to	understand	the	significance	of	
these	 results	 in	 the	 current	 political	 situation	 Colombia	 is	 facing.	 In	 Art	 for	 Reconstruction	 it	 was as	
relevant	to	promote	the	process	of	reconciliation	lived	by	participants,	as	it	was	to	share	it	in	a	way	that	
everyone	could	understand	and	embrace.	This	allowed	deep	reflections	and	attitudinal	transformations	
in	visitants	from	diverse	sectors	of	Medellin	population,	who	found	a	common	ground	between	them	and	
the	participants	through	the	museographic	experience.
6. The	achievement	of	 reconciliation	is	 related	 to	 the	 transformations	of	daily	interactions	at	 the	
“micro”	level.
In	relation	to	the	previous	conclusion,	the	achievement	of	reconciliation	is	not	only	related	to	a	political	
agreement,	but	to	the	transformation	of	citizens’	daily	interactions	at	the	“micro”	level.	This	is	why	Art	
for	 Reconstruction	 transformed	 how	 people	 dealt	 with	 ideological	 difference,	 revenge	 and	 sorrow,	
preventing	trauma	and	pain	to	prevail,	and	avoiding	new	cycles	of	violence	to	emerge.	It	is	in	the	day-to￾day	interplay	where	people	may	manifest	ideological	disagreements,	and	in	some	cases	violence,	but	also	
where	 they	 have	 the	 possibility	 to	 understand	each	 other	 and	 transform	 conflict.	 This	 is	 crucial	 if	 we	
consider	that	the	rate	of	conflict	recurrence	in	post	conflict	situations	is	astoundingly	high	(Gates,	Nygar,	
&	Trappeniers,	2016).
As	ethnographic	observations	captured,	participants	not	only	started	to	take	care	of	their	personal	look	
and	 health,	 but	 also	 of	 their	 personal	 relationships.	 Qualitative	 observations	 captured	 that	 familiar	
relationships	improved.	In	addition, A	total	of	22%	of	participants	have	initiated	a	contact	with	someone	
they	 want	 to	 reconcile.	 The	 following	 testimony	 is	 and	 example:	 "He	 is	 a	 co-worker	 and	 we	 had	 an	
inconvenience,	but	I	approached	him	and	proposed	to	make	amends."
7. Art-based	methodologies	are	flexible	enough	to	include	everyone
The	 group	 of	 participants	 of	 Art	 for	 Reconstruction	 was	 a	 remarkably	 diverse	 population:	 there	 were	
people	who	live	in	the	countryside,	older	and	younger	profiles	coming	together,	some	who	had	the	chance	
to	study	high	school	or	become	a	technician,	others	who	could	not	read	or	write.	Many	of	them	experience	
different	sensory,	physical	and	mental	disabilities	such	as	paraplegia,	blindness	and	Post	Traumatic	Stress	
Disorder	 (PTSD).	 Some	 participants	 were	 employed	 and	 others	 could	 not	 find	 a	 job.	 Therefore,	 some	
challenges	emerged	at	the	moment	of	planning	the	sessions.
However,	the	Prolongar	team	succeeded	in	strategically	formulate	art-based	methodologies	considering	
the	disability	approach,	along	with	the	gender	and	ethnicity approach	to	reach	participants	best	potential.	
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In	 Prolongar	 Foundation	 previous	 projects,	 art-based	 methodologies	 were	 essential	 to	 enable	
transformations	in	populations	that	cope	better	with	non-verbal	languages,	such	as	the	visual.	In	Art	for	
Reconstruction,	the	art-based	methodologies	transcended	the	non-verbal	and	visual	languages	to	enable	
transformations	throughout	the	inclusion	of	other	senses	and	feelings,	working	with	the	touch,	the	smell,	
and	the	sounds.	In	this	regard,	some	elements	were	of	special	relevance,	such	as	the	herbal	scents.
A	gender	approach	was	also	implemented	to	support	indirect	victims	participants,	in	most	cases	female	
caretakers	of	PwD’s	participants.	During	several	stances,	Prolongar	promoted	spaces	to	discuss	gender	
roles.	 This	 allowed	 female	 participants	 to	 manifest	 the	 burden	 of	 their	 caretaking	 role	 and	 male	
participants	 to	comprehend	 them.	Last	but	not	least,	participants	cultural	and	social	origins	were	very	
diverse,	some	of	them	coming	from	different	rural	regions	and	others	from	marginal	context	of	Medellin.	
Thus,	it	was	fundamental	to	understand	their	differences	and	enable	different	expressions	and	tools	for	
them.
8. The	importance	of	identity	redefinition
We	considered	the	relevance	of	identity	redefinition	as	an	important	step	to	build	new	relationships	based	
on	mutual	trust	and	understanding	(Schirch	2001:	156).
First,	this	included	the	creation	of	new	identities	out	of	the	logic	of	the	conflict.	During	the	first	face	to	
face	 engagement,	 we	 created	 a	 ritual	 space	 (based	 on	 the	 Flower	 Fair	 in	 Medellin)	 where	 all	 the	
participants	belonged	to	different	flower	groups:	e.g.	instead	of	being	part	of	the	veteran	group,	a	person	
would	 be	 part	 of	 the	 orchid	 group	 and	 would	 suddenly	 share	 an	 identity	 with	 a	 civilian.	 Later,	 in	 the	
subsequent	 face	 to	 face	 engagements,	 we	 created	 the	 identity	 of	 “reconciliation	 agents”.	 They	 were	
“reconciliation	 agents”	 rather	 than	 prosecutor,	 victim	 or	 survivor,	 and	 had	 the	mission	 to	 spread	 this	
reconciliation	process	with	their	relatives,	neighbors	and	peers.	The	collective	Kintsugi	reconstruction	and	
design	of	the	exhibition	certainly	strengthened	these	new	shared	identities.		
As	mentioned	in	the	evaluation	excerpts,	the	results	indicate	that	the	levels	of	favorable	perceptions	in	
all	groups	have	increased	 towards	 the	other	groups,	 reducing	 the	level	of	 stigmatization	and	negative	
emotions,	and	increasing	the	possibility	of	recognizing	themselves	through	these	new	identities,	as	peers	
in	everyday	spaces.
Second,	we	strengthened	previous	identities	such	as	the	“survivor”	person,	rather	than	the	victim. The	
victim	identity,	which	may	be	related	to	pity,		passiveness	and	narratives	focused	on	others	fault,	makes	
it	difficult	to	open	up	new	opportunities	and	possibilities	for	action	and	thinking.	This	identity	change	was	
key	to	recognize	how	it	has	been	also	difficult	for	family	members	to	face	what	happened	in	the	past,	and	
opened	 the	 possibility	 to	 realize	 that	 sometimes	 “victims”	 could	 also	 cause	 pain	 to	 their	 relatives.	
Alcoholism	and	family	violence	due	to	landmine	accidents	and	disability	were	an	example	of	it.	In	the	case	
of	veterans,	some	of	the	participants	acknowledged	that	they	were	both,	survivors	and	responsables.	In	
brief,	this	identity	change	was	also	a	crucial	step	to	build	new	relationships	based	on	mutual	trust	and	
understanding	among	the	participants,	but	also	in	their	closest	circle	of	relationships.
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9. The	importance	of	ritual	and	symbolic	reparation.
According	to	Lisa	Schirch	in	the	book	“Ritual	and	Symbol	in	Peacebuilding”,
Ritual	has	three	specific	characteristics.	First,	ritual	occurs	in	a	unique	social	space,	set	aside	from	
normal	 life.	 Second,	 ritual	 communicates	 through	 symbols,	 senses,	 and	 heightened	 emotions	
rather	 than	 relying	 heavily	 on	 the	use	 of	 words.	 In	 rituals,	 humans	 learn	 by	 doing.	 There	 is	 a	
preference	for	nonverbal	communication	using	bodies,	senses	and	emotions	rather	than	words	
or	rational	thought.	Third,	ritual	both	marks	and	assists	in	the	process	of	change.	It	confirms	and	
transforms	people's	worldviews,	identities,	and	relationships	with	others.	(Schirch,	2005:	2).
All	these	features	were	key	throughout	the	project,	but	ritual	and	symbol	were	particularly	crucial	for	the	
face	to	face	engagements,	as	well	as	the	exhibit	design.	First,	Kintsugi	ritual	helped	people	to	transform	
perceptions	and	create	a	shared	view	through	thinking	about	connections.	Second,	ritual	also	played	a	
key	role	in	building,	affirming,	and	creating	shared	identities	between	adversary	groups,	as	mentioned	in	
the	previous	conclusion.	Ant	third,	ritual	was	used	to	bring	people	together	and	create	relationships	by	
allowing	persons	to	do	something	together.
10. Retired	veterans:	a	treasure	source	of	prosocial	agency	for	peace
According	to	the	evaluation	results,	veterans	are	a	treasure	source	of	prosocial	agency	for	peace.	This	is	
contrary	to	the	common	belief	in	Colombia	that	would	“label”	them	as	people	against	peacebuilding	and	
reconciliation.	The	 participants	 of	 this	group	were	 the	 ones	 that	 had	more	 progress	in	general	and	in	
particular	in	their	relationship	with	others,	resignification	of	memories	and	use	of	the	project	techniques.	
The	leadership	and	 teamwork	 skills	 they	acquired	during	 the	conflict	were	valuable	 for	 the	process	of	
reconciliation	leaded	by	“Art	for	Reconstruction”	team.
11. The	implementation	of	an	expertise	in	reconciliation	is	now	measured,	proven	to	be	effective,	and	
has	the	possibility	to	be	replicated.
It	 is	 important	 to	 conclude	 that	 the	 Prolongar	 Foundation	 expertise	 in	 art-based	 and	 movement	
methodologies,	developed	in	previous	projects,	has	been	measured	in	Art	for	Reconstruction	and	proved	
to	be	an	effective	way	for	the	promotion	of	social,	interpersonal	and	individual	reconciliation.	Besides	the	
use	 of	 tools	 and	 narratives	 that	 target	 rational	 outcomes,	 the	 project	 effectively	 engaged	 in	 deep	
emotional	 and	 corporeal	 languages	 that	 fostered	 accurate	 embodiment	 of	 the	 methodologies	 in	
participants.	In	the	evaluation	of	results,	a	100%	of	participants	reported	different	types	of	changes	in
their	lives	due	to	the	project.
As	 the	 previous	 conclusions	 state,	 the	 reconciliatory	 tools	 applied	 by	 the	 Prolongar	 Foundation	 and	
strengthened	during	Art	for	Reconstruction	project,	can	be	seen	as	a	solid	base	to	establish	a	replicable	
model	for	social	transformation.	It	now	seems	possible	to	reach	new	contexts	and	populations	in	a	larger	
74
scale	based	in	a	methodology	that	has	proven	its	efficiency	and	power	to	promote	individual	and	social	
transformation.	We	strongly	believe	that	this	approach	to	reconciliation	can	lead	new	paths	to	solve	the	
cycle	of	violence	and	conflict	that	Colombia	has	experienced	in	its	contemporary	history.
12. A	continuing	challenge	 for	Art	 for	Reconstruction	Phase	II:	developing	 reconciliation	processes	
while	armed	conflict	is	not	over
An	important	challenge	of	the	project	was	related	to	the	current	situation	in	Colombia,	a	context	where	
war	is	not	over	yet.	Although,	progress	is	recognized	and	there	is	a	great	decrease	in	the	rates	of	violence	
after	 the	 peace	 agreement	 signature,	 the	 country	 currently	 lives	 in	 a	 shaky,	 uncertain	 and	 polarized	
situation.	 The	 conflict	 is	 past	 and	 present:	 "there	 is	 no	 tense	 capable	 of	 apprehending	 the	 current	
Colombian	reality,	the	constant	oscillation	between	conflict	and	peace. Currently,	we	cannot	talk	about	
war	as	if	it	were	in	the	past	and	we	cannot	talk	about	peace	as	if	it	were	in	the	future."	(Molano	2017).
This	was	particularly	relevant	for	PPR,	who	still	feel	their	life	threatened.	Although	the	project	took	place	
in	Medellin,	the	second	most	important	city	in	Colombia,	some	PPR	asked	the	audiovisual	team	to	hide	
their	face	and	change	the	tone	of	their	voice,	when	recording	the	sessions.	They	constantly	expressed	to	
feel	judged	or	rejected	by	society	and	therefore,	they	hide	their	identity	as	ex-combatants.	This	challenge	
will	continue	in	Art	for	Reconstruction	Phase	II	and	has	been	considered	since	the	project	planning.	
75
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