Castleberry Peace Institute-University of North Texas

Professor Jacqueline DeMeritt and Professor James Meernik took part in a panel discussion of their recently completed study of the Peace Table at the Itagui Prison in Colombia. At this maximum security prison outside Medellin, there is a discussion between the leaders of the major criminal structures in Medellin and the Aburra Valley and the Colombian government regarding an urban peace plan. Castleberry Peace Institute partners Aulas de Paz conducted the interviews of the members of the Peace Table for this National Science Foundation funded project. The panel discussion took place at the Medellin Museum of Memory on March 20, 2025. It focused on the suggestions of the Peace Table members regarding urban peace and analysis of the prospects for a long-term peace plan for these organizations.

In the photo moving from left to right: Juan Camilo Gaviria (Aulas de Paz), Professor Gustavo Duncan (EAFIT University), Jacqueline DeMeritt, and James Meernik.

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The Castleberry Peace Institute was in Nabusimake - Capital of the elder brother, and had the honor of reaching an agreement to work with the Arhuaco people of the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta - Heart of the World and the United States Institute of Peace to understand the consequences of the conflict in this territory. The Arhuaco people will provide guidance and strategies to deal with the impacts when nature has been declared a victim, which the Special Jurisdiction for Peace of Colombia has ruled in a landmark decision.