On Tuesday, February the 8th, the students of Seventh Grade attended a visit to the Centro de Memoria, Paz y Reconciliación as part of their PBL course where they are in the process of proposing research projects on the topic of Historical Memory. The goal of the visit was to bring the students closer to the importance of building a collective memory of our past that brings together different perspectives and that helps heal the traumas of our history.
At our arrival to the beautiful building of such an institution the students were welcomed by the experts that work there who gave them a glimpse of the history and the importance of this organization. We were then divided into two groups; one went to have a tour around the building and what used to be the Cementerio Central de Bogotá. This group was able to get a deeper understanding of the value of this building for the victims of the Armed Conflict and to reflect on how remembering these events can contribute to having a more inclusive and empathetic view of our society.
The second group received two workshops, one on cartography of Bogotá and its events related to the violence of the conflict, and also one about the testimonies of victims of the war across the rural areas of Colombia. The students were able to see and to read real life stories and to sensibilize themselves about a reality that might not be theirs but that is part of their country’s past. Then, both groups switched and got to experience both moments.
This visit was a beautiful opportunity to see, hear, and reflect on the past of our country from different perspectives, and to bring the students closer to contexts that go beyond their immediate reality. This will, hopefully, activate new curiosities and questions about their country, their city, and themselves as well as to help in their research for the PBL course.
