Nelsa Libertad Curbelo
Nelsa Libertad Curbelo Cora is a proponent of non-violence who has fought for indigenous people's rights and worked as a mediator in armed conflicts throughout South America. In 1999, she founded the organization Ser Paz (Being Peace) specifically to work with youth gangs in Ecuador's southern city of Guayaquil. Through her work, many of Guayaquil's most dangerous gangs have disarmed, agreed to abandon violence and are now working together to rebuild the community.Videos featuring Nelsa Libertad Curbelo
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Barrio De Paz
Youth worker Nelsa Libertad Curbelo Cora describes the inspiration behind Barrio de Paz (Peace Town), a non-violent youth movement in Guayaquil, Ecuador. It brings together street gangs to provide services to the struggling community. Gang members band together out of a need for unity, structure, and love when their social fabric has been torn apart. Mirroring the society that marginalizes them, gangs use this unity for domination and aggression. Nelsa shows how this instinct toward oneness can be transformed into a power of service, life, and love.
(17 min) -
Barrio De Paz (9 minute version)
Youth worker Nelsa Libertad Curbelo Cora describes the inspiration behind Barrio de Paz (Peace Town), a non-violent youth movement in Guyaquil, Ecuador. Barrio de Paz brings together street gangs to provide services to the struggling community. Gang members band together out of a need for unity, structure, and love when their social fabric has been torn apart. Mirroring the society that marginalizes them, gangs use this unity for domination and aggression. Nelsa shows how this instinct toward oneness can be transformed into a power of service, life, and love.
(8 min 59 sec)
"Everything in society tells us to distrust others. I think it's the other way around. We need to profoundly trust in those around us, in their potential and in who they are."
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