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Production and Dissemination of Information on Firearms

Fungamma, through extensive research and publication, have been raising awareness of Colombian civil society regarding the issues surrounding the widespread transport, possession, and use of firearms in Colombia.

Description

“Fire Arms - Colombia: Its impact on the lives of people, families and communities” is part of the global process of production and dissemination of documents around the problem of fire arms in Colombia:

1. Compilation of Colombian norms and legislation about Small and Light Arms 1970-2004. Fundación Gamma Idear compiled decrees, laws, proposed laws, and intern norms of each one of the governmental departments for the period 1970-2004, with emphasis on the post-constitutional period: 1991-2006. The document was distributed in all the activities and workshops during 2003 and 2004. The members of the Inter-sectorial Commission revised the document, updated it and approved it. The final version, “Regulation and legislation about fire arms in Colombia – period 1970-2004” was also given to participants in the activities of 2004 and 2005 and to the members of Parliament of the Commissions 1ª and 2ª from Camara and Senate, and from the Peace Commission of Peace and Human Rights.

2. Spanish translation and publication, on CD and in digital format for the internet, of 5 documents from SaferAfrica. 2004.

3. Print publication (photocopy), on CD and in digital format for the internet, of the main international regulations on the subject of small and light arms (especially United Nations, Organisation of American States, and Andean Community).

4. Spanish translation and print publication (photocopy) of the two manuals from BICC-TRESA about “Basic definitions” and “Investigation for the Action in fire arms”, 2005.

5. Investigation, compilation and publication of the book “Chronology of Latin-American experiences in the prevention, battle and eradication of small and light fire arms”. 1000 copies between March and June 2006.

Aims / Objectives

The aims and objectives of this initiative derive from the results of Metaplan (a methodology for organising ideas within a group) carried out by the civil society attendees of the first Fungamma workshop of 2003, where the following was defined:

How it is Articulated

1. Investigation of related issues.

2. Dissemination of the information in all seminars, workshops and activities for stakeholders, NGO's, members of parliament and productive sector, among others.

3. Print publication (budget allowing) and produce CD (for better dissemination with less cost).

4. Publication on the website of Ariansa allowing the document to be downloaded by interested persons and institutions.

Achievements / Learning Points

Main Achievement

Primer “Fire arms – Colombia: Its impact on the life of people and communities”, represented the main tool to demonstrate to civil population and governmental agencies that the problem of fire arms is more related with daily urban violence than with the supposed political violence of the armed conflict. The primer showed the real links and the particular interests behind the arms problem, revealing what had previously been unknown information for the great majority of Colombians. The information on the primer produced an enormous reaction on mass media. In total 10 000 copies were printed.

Learning Points

The seeming indifference and apathy of the Colombian civil population is in part the product of a manipulation of information. The knowledge of real data and true facts that coincide with the situations that people live, combine with their “intuitions” about problems, becoming a strong catalyst for changing their behaviour.

Geographical Area of Operation

Bogotá and 15 departments of the country.

Funding Resources

Associated Organisations