Colombia & Colombian Diaspora

We are seed. Together we grow.

Since 2016 Beyond Skin have been developing and delivering shared projects with Colombia and the Colombian diaspora. The original project called 'FUTyoURES" was started by Escuelas de Paz Colombia and Beyond Skin and quickly expanded birthing new projects and bringing on new partners. 

#FUTyoURES model is a participatory Peace programme linking Northern Ireland, Colombia and Colombian diaspora by developing shared creative models to address conflict and the legacy of conflict. At the heart of the project are the Arts affirming the synergy between People and the Natural Environment around them. The project is managed by Beyond Skin (Northern Ireland) & Escuelas de Paz (Colombia). Too date additional partners are International Catalan Institute for Peace, Fotosynthesis,,Agroarte, Cuerpos Gramaticales, Genesis Starts Foundation, Natali Márquez Foundation. There are links to photo albums and videos on this page.

Cuadros Verdes Vivos - Living Green Pictures. Visit the Sowing of Life Webpage

Promotional Video link on Youtube

Cuerpos Gramaticales is a project and methodology led by Agroarte collective in Medellín, Colombia. The project migrated also to Barcelona and will now take place in Northern Ireland. A FUTyoURES project & partnership. Beyond Skin, Escuelas de Paz, Agroarte, Cuerpos Gramaticales, International Catalan Institute for Peace & Fotosynthesis. Link to the story so far - International Women's Day 2019 research visit.

The programme is about sharing ideas & stories, creative thinking, exploring truth, problem solving, taking care of our planet and shaping the future where peacebuilding is inclusive and meaningful for everyone.
Through engagement with various artforms and the natural environment the project offers a very different community development and Peacebuilding approach, nurturing new and existing relationships and giving space for people to contribute and implement their ideas

Robison Sanchez (Environmental Social Street Artist - Soacha) and Luis Alberto Peraza (Manager Campo Alegre Arauca ) influenced Beyond Skin’s project delivery in Northern Ireland. ‘Reconciliation’ or ‘Healing with the land’ became an integral part of the FUTyoURES project.

In a process of mutual learning, FUTyoURES aims to champion young people as agents of change in societies impacted by the legacy of armed conflict. The project implements #youth4peace aims & objectives as part of the UN Resolution 2250 on Youth, Peace & Security
Escuelas de Paz (Colombia) and Beyond Skin (Northern Ireland) are members of the #ArtsDialogue network. www.artsdialogue.org

The focus of the project delivery is in Arauca & Soacha (Colombia) and Belfast, Craigavon, Mid Ulster & Keady (Northern Ireland). Wider support links have also been developed with partners and Colombian diaspora in UK, Ireland & Spain.

FUTyoURES project is a legacy of the work of Natali Marquez who passed away in February 2018

FUTyoURES project has had support from British Council. Arts Council Northern Ireland, Armagh Banbridge Craigavon Borough Council, Mid Ulster Council, IBIS Belfast Hotel, National Trust, Belfast Harbour, Community Relations Council & Grow Wild Foundation.

MEDIA LINKS...

Narrative Report (October 2016 - December 2018) Dropbox Link
Photos: Colombia Development Programme (December 2017) Photobucket Slideshow  Facebook Gallery
Photos: Campo Alegre. Arauca Facebook Gallery
Photos: Northern Ireland Development Programme (March 2018) Photobucket Slideshow  Facebook Gallery
Photos: Northern Ireland Imagine Peace Exhibition Programme (September 2018) Photobucket Slideshow
Photos: Northern Ireland Imagine Peace Exhibition Programme (September 2018) Facebook Gallery
Photos: Grow Wild Keady Photobucket Slideshow
Photos: International Women's Day Cookstown (March 2019) Facebook Gallery
Photos: Antonio Amador project @ Holy Trinity college (March 2019) Photobucket Gallery  Facebook Gallery
Photos: Sowing of Life Presentation (March 2019) Photobucket Slideshow  Facebook Gallery
Photos: Grow Wild Fotosynthesis John Paul II Youth Club Photobucket Slideshow
Grow Wild Keady Town webpage
Shared Future News arrticle Transforming memories of war into memories of peace: Imagine Peace
News: The Sowing of Life Cuerpos Gramaticales  Mid Ulster
Blog: La fotografía es una decisión y una manera de participar en el mundo by Antonio Amador
Blog: Peace through a different lens by Ingrid Guyon
Blog: El Mundo es Perfectamente Imperfecto by Genesis Quintero
Blog: Somos Semilla - Irlanda del Norte by Robison Sanchez