Corporación Nuevo Arco Iris (CNAI)

Corporación Nuevo Arco Iris has a direct presence in 12 departments in Colombia, working towards Peace and Civility. Their programmes include the rehabilitation of ex-combatants into civil society, political visibility for victims of violence and a school for democracy, peace and tolerance.

Overview

CNAI is a Colombian NGO that arose from the 1994 peace agreements between the Colombian state and the Corriente de Renovacion Socialista (CRS). Its 12 years of existence and continuous work in 12 departments of the country have consolidated CNAI as an important centre of thought and political action for peace and development.

One of their first engagements was the reintegration to civil and democratic life of around 800 ex-combatants and members of the CRS. In this period of transition to civilian life CNAI helped to guarantee the ex-combatants access to education, healthcare, housing, employment, and income generation. These projects were partly funded by the ex-combatants themselves, their families, and the communities affected by the conflict.

CNAI believes in the importance of relationships based on dialogue and debate and in the inter-relationship between peace and development. Development is a fundamental condition for a lasting peace and, in its turn, peaceful coexistence is vital to development.

What Services Are Provided?

• Promotion of communitarian structures for the peaceful and democratic resolution of territorial conflicts;
• Research into the conflict dynamic between the paramilitaries and the guerrillas;
• Increasing the political visibility of the victims of violence regarding aspects of truth, justice and reparation;
• Fostering productive initiatives in rural communities, e.g. in departments like Tolima, Huila, Caqueta and Antioquia, producing economic growth through training programmes, incentives for entrepreneurs, and assistance for cooperatives; and
• IT programmes to close the digital gap in Bogotá and Cundinamarca.

Geographical Area of Operation

CNAI has a direct presence in 12 departments of Colombia with chapters and regional offices in the cities of Bogotá D.C, Ibague, Armenia, Pereira, Pasto, Cali, Cucuta, Cartagena, Corozal and Medellín.

Funding Resources

• International cooperation with Inter-American Development Bank, Swedish International Cooperation Development Agency, European Union, United Nations Development Programme, German Technical Cooperation/GTZ, and Catalan Agency for Cooperation Development;
• Colombian Ministry of Agriculture;
• Local Government of Huila; and
• Secretariat of Government of Bogotá D.C.

What Further Information Would You Like?

• Sources of finance;
• International networks of NGOs oriented to peace processes and human rights;
• International studies programmes at European universities; and
• Links to international volunteering, internships and scholarships.

What New Contacts Would You Like To Make?

Other organisations at a local, regional, national or international level.

Associated Organisations

• Redprodepaz;
• Redepaz; and
• Alianza Postlondes.

Stories

Semana News - 10th February 2007 - Spanish language newspaper article covering CNAI's investigation into "la para-política".