It is with deep sadness that Beyond Skin and our #ArtsDialogue partners share the loss of Natali Marquez. A creative peace educator and activist.

Natali Marquez was a young woman living in Bogotá, Colombia who dedicated her life to helping others and bring Peace to Colombia working with Escuelas de Paz (Schools of Peace).

In March 2017 she visited Northern Ireland to help facilitate a #youth4peace summit with Beyond Skin and partners from other countries.
Natali was a bright, creative, outgoing, kind and positive person, always putting others first and an inspirational role model for young people. Her visit therefore had a huge impact on young people in Northern Ireland and other Peacebuilders from around the globe. Natali helped to establish the #ArtsDialogue network forging together strong relationships with artists and peace activists working across the world in areas of conflict & post conflict.

Three months later after her Northern Ireland visit Natali was diagnosed with a brain tumor. Through many medical procedures with three craniotomies Natali fought as long as she could with a brave heart.

For all her friends and family our hearts break to morn the loss of the energetic girl with the big smile. Our thoughts go out to Natali's family.

Link to a blog Natali wrote about Northern Ireland visit
http://www.beyondskin.net/from-colombia-to-northern-ireland-1

"Natali has done so much for the peace process in Colombia, but what is more remarkable and humbling was her passion & commitment to Northern Ireland peace & beyond. The positive ripples from her visit can still be felt.  As Natali would have wished we the #ArtsDialogue team will ensure her passion and joy working to see a more peaceful world lives on. We have lost a dear friend but hold on to good memories"  Darren Ferguson (Beyond Skin).