ITS Workshop: "La paz quemada: Students’ civic subjectivities amidst transition in Colombia"

La paz quemada: Students’ civic subjectivities amidst transition in Colombia. A case study at a public school in Eastern Antioquia

Friday, April 1, 12:00 - 1:00 PM EST

Presenter: Dr. Daniela Romero-Amaya, Goldberg Post-doctoral Fellow, Teachers College, Columbia University

Zoom link: https://teacherscollege.zoom.us/j/7922330773

Students construct understandings of historical change, continuity, and relapse as they engage with critical social and political issues inside and outside of school. In doing so, they outline the possibilities and constraints of conflict transformation while positioning themselves within the complex mapping of protracted violence. In this presentation, the researcher will discuss students’ experiences of civic “disjuncture” as they face the ongoing transition in Colombia. Focusing on the ways that youth position themselves within society and in relation to the armed conflict, this presentation offers insights about student civic engagement and considers the concept of “burnt peace” (paz quemada) as an entry point to explore the “authenticity gaps” that arise for young citizens during post-agreement times. It also investigates how they develop their civic lives despite the challenges that these gaps present. The researcher argues that “burnt peace” does not imply the surrender of youth agency but rather suggests the recognition and undertaking of manifold tensions between the civic narratives that students encounter as well as the ones that they build amidst the challenging national political context. Findings of this study contribute to a broader conversation about the ways youth—as key civic actors for conflict transformation—engage with peace pedagogies and how they grapple with particular forms of civic engagement that the school encourages or discourages.  

This event is part of the International & Transcultural Studies Workshop series. 

To request disability-related accommodations contact OASID at oasid@tc.edu, (212) 678-3689, (212) 678-3853 TTY, (646) 755-3144 video phone, as early as possible.