Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
La Paz (Agenzia Fides) – On October 14, the campaign entitled “Live Together-Sow Peace” was launched. The campaign is being organized by the Catholic Church, the United Nations, the Defender of the People group, the UNIR Foundation, the Center for Human Development in Santa Cruz, and the AVINA Foundation. This campaign hopes to create an environment that leads all of Bolivia’s people to take action and commit themselves to peace; a peace that makes change and respect for others possible.
This initiative has come about in response to the conflicts in Pando, where there were many tragic deaths and a study done by the United Nations showed that more than seven out of every ten Bolivians wants the government and regional authorities to make changes for peace. In this initial stage of the campaign, advertisements have been put up on the television, messages on the radio, in addition to other printed publicity and the web page (www.sembrarpaz.com). The invitation is open to all the institutions and people who wish to participate in the campaign, registering on the web page or in the sign-up books in information centers of the UN. Representing the Catholic Church in the launching of the campaign was Bishop Jesus Juarez, Secretary General of the Bolivian Bishops’ Conference and Bishop of El Alto. Bishop Juarez presented the “Seeds for Living Together,” which is like a decalogue that the campaign wishes to propose to the Bolivian people, for living out in their daily life: Respect and defend life, no matter who it is; Seek what unites us and not what separates us; Learn to listen to those who think differently than I; Remember that even though we are different, we are all persons; Dialogue without imposition; Seek solutions without excluding anyone; Reject all forms of violence; Work for a decent life for all, because poverty and iniquity are the worst form of violence; Be courageous and chose peace.
Bishop Jesus Juarez finished his presentation by inviting “all Bolivians, wherever they live, to be sowers of peace.” (RG) (Agenzia Fides 16/10/2008)
