Colombia 2017

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Colombia 2017 Colombia 2017 Pathways to Peace: Art, Culture & Social Justice 1 The Pathways to Peace trip is designed to facilitate student engagement with Colombian contemporary life through three different lenses; art, culture and social justice. During this immersion experience, students will learn about the past and present of this beautiful country while immersing themselves in the local culture and traditions. Throughout the trip, students will have an opportunity to listen to different perspectives about the recent negotiations surrounding peace in Colombia as well as the social reconstruction required for the nation to successfully navigate this post-conflict era. They will also explore how Colombian artists use their work-- everything from graffiti street art to internationally acclaimed pieces--- to further social justice and help heal a nation. This program includes an opportunity for Friends Seminary students to collaborate with peers from a high school in Bogota to consider ways they might use their own voices to further peace and justice in the world. 2 Art We explore different forms of artistic expression throughout the country and analyze the implicit and explicit messages within Colombian art. We will also consider the role of art as a powerful force of empowerment, as a driver of social change, and a source of restorative justice. Culture Understanding the culture, traditions and way of living in a society are critical competencies to build understanding within a new context. Through meaningful interactions with peers form a local high school and inhabitants of small and large towns, students have the opportunity to learn first hand the many different stories, perceptions and histories from individuals who share Colombian nationality. Social Justice Social Justice issues are present in all our lives on an everyday basis. Being able to recognize, understand and act upon them is a skill that as humans we are constantly developing. Throughout this immersion experience, students will have the opportunity to consider social justice issues amidst Colombia’s attempts to heal from the largest contemporary conflict in the Western hemisphere. 3 Program Locations 1. Bogotá Days 1 - 4 Elevation: 8,530 ft 2. Guatavita and Tominé Days 4 - 6 Elevation: 9,180 ft 3. Ráquira Day 7 Elevation: 7,120 ft 4. Villa de Leyva Days 8 - 10 Elevation: 7,050 ft 4 5 6 Program Highlights La Candelaria The historic La Candelaria area in Bogota is home to many of the events that shaped modern Colombia, with the impacts written large amongst the city streets. We will walk the area and participate in a graffiti tour that explores the way this type of art has blended with the colonial architecture to communicate powerful local narratives. Local Artists We meet with local artists whose work has had an impact both nationally and internationally and discuss their views of contemporary Colombia, as well as the role of their work in transforming a society. Students will visit the physical spaces that internationally-acclaimed artist’s work, such as Doris Salcedo, have occupied over time, while looking at the images of those installations. The tension between absence and presence will further highlight the role of mourning, remembering, and becoming a witness and participant in the society. 7 School Collaboration Through a school collaboration with Gimnasio La Montaña, a private K-12 school in the north of Bogota, we will discuss issues around Colombian post-conflict and social re-construction as well as social justice affecting citizens in the United States. Additionally, students will consider ways to use their own artistic voice in bringing about the change they wish to see in the world. This collaboration will unfold both in- school and in Tominé, with local students traveling with us. Galleries and Museums Exploring different galleries, museums and workshops in Bogotá provides context for understanding the different roles that art plays in society. After we build understanding of this country’s unique and storied history, we will begin developing our own narratives and competencies to understand the country’s social justice struggles. In particular, we will visit the Botero Museum, the Gold Museum, The Galeria Sextante and the Taller Arte Dos Gráfico. 8 9 Guatavita A sacred lake of the Muisca native people, rituals conducted at Guatavita are widely thought to be the original basis for the legend of El Dorado. We then delve into the historical importance of Colombia’s resources moving from the exhibits of the Gold Museum in Bogota to the spectacular Lake Guatavita outside of the city. 10 Local Rural Artists A longstanding pottery-making village, Raquira is known as the Ceramics Capital of Colombia. As globalization created higher demand for “authentic” pottery, pre-industrial craft has gradually been transformed into an industrialized occupation, causing shifting tensions in this community. We follow the value chain from the artisans themselves to the local shops, meeting the people involved in each stage of the process. From this experience, we build understanding of how the local economy revolves around this evolving industry. Villa De Leyva Students participate in a version of an “Amazing Race” designed to push them to engage in meaningful interactions with local people in the Villa de Leyva town. At the same time, we discuss the role of tourism in local development, identifying bright spots and challenges. We also explore the National Natural Park of Iguaque and learn about the Páramo ecosystem, considered by ecologists to be Colombia’s crucial “water fabric”. Finally, we explore Plazas de Mercado on Sunday and contrast it to our more urban experience in Bogota. 11 Program Itinerary Day 1 - March 18 • Flight New York City - Bogota. Day 3 - March 20 • Full Value Contract. • Discussion with internationally • Health Safety and Security recognized local artist. Brief. • Visit artists workshop. • Night: Bogotá. • Visit the gallery Galeria Sextante and then tour Taller Day 2 - March 19 Arte dos Gráfico. • Meet with the founders and • Graffiti Tour and Exploring La explore their view on the role Candelaria. of art as a peace building • Visit locations chosen by Doris instrument. Salcedo for her installations. • Night: Bogotá • Botero Museum Visit. • Cable car to Monserrate. • Night: Bogotá 12 Days 4 -6 - March 21-23 Day 8 - March 25 • Travel to Gimnasio La Montaña • Day Hike • Discussion with Students at • Páramo de Iguaque. Gimnasio la Montaña and Iguaque National Natural Park. co-creation of social justice • Night: Villa de Leyva initiative. • Explore Guatavita Lagoon and new Town location Day 9 - March 26 • Relocating and Adapting to • Scavenger Hunt Villa de Leyva change analysis • Tourism, development and • Night: Tominé social impact workshop. • Visit the Plaza de Mercado in Day 7 - March 24 Santa Sofía-- a Typical Sunday in the Rural Areas • Travel to Ráquira • Unpacking and Reflecting: Art, • Local Artisans Visit and Culture and Social Justice. Workshop. • Night: Villa de Leyva • Discussion - Local Art and Economic Avenues to Development. Day 10 - March 27 • Travel to Villa de Leyva. • Travel back to Bogotá • Night: Villa de Leyva • International Flight Bogotá - New York 13 Applications and Program Costs Eligibility • The Pathways to Peace: Art, Culture and Social Justice trip is designed for all Upper School students interested in learning more about the contemporary and historical challenges of Colombia through exploration of art and engagement with locals at multiple levels. • Spanish is not required to apply to this program, however, this program is a good opportunity to hone language skills through interaction with native speakers. Applications • Applications should be made online at www.envoys.com by entering the program code ‘friendsseminary’ in the website menu. • Applications are due on November 21st, 2016 and decisions will be made by December 5th, 2016. friendsseminary Program Leaders • This program will be lead by Jesse Pasca and Deanna Yurchuk from Friends Seminary. They will be accompanied by two Envoys staff members. Program Cost • Friends Seminary is underwriting certain costs of the trip to make it as affordable as possi- ble to all families. The total projected cost per student (including airfare) for this trip is es- timated to be $3,500. Increase or decrease of costs will depend on final group numbers. • Inquiries regarding financial assistance for global education trips should be made to Boji Wong, Director of Financial Aid. 14 15.
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