Paisa people, onward and thriving

April, 09, 2008

Dr. Ivan Dario Agudelo Zapata delivers parchment to Dr. Soto.

On March 31st in Medellín, known as “The City of Eternal Spring” and also as one of the three most important cities of Colombia, the Department As embly of Antioquia bestowed upon Dr. William Soto an Award of Distinction for his pacifist work undertaken world wide in the forum: "Antioquia: A Source of Peace for Colombia and The World;" attended by municipal mayors and delegates of Arboletes, Angelópolis, Betulia, Carmen de Viboral, Envigado, Itagüí, Sabaneta, Segovia and Turbo.

The beautiful scroll awarded by Dr. Ivan Dario Agudelo Zapata, the Assembly’s President,acknowledges among other virtues that: “Dr. William Soto Santiago has worked in favor of peace  worldwide for over 30 years, carrying out an important work in favor of peace in different regions of Brazil and over the world. He is one of the most important and outstanding leaders in the subject of peace. "

Nelly Garcia and silleteros delivering the Agents of Peace wreath.

But the recognitions of the Paisa people (the inhabitants of the Department of Antioquia), did not conclude there, artisan Nelly Garcia also participated in the event.  She was the winner of the 2007 Carrier’s Competition, whom utilizing only flowers, weaved a representative symbol of the region, a spectacular tapestry of the Agents of Peace logo.

Additionally, Mr. Alfonso Acero, the Coordinator of the Agents of the Peace campaign in Medellín, bequested to the International Director of AMISRAEL typical clothing of the region, composed of a hat, a carriel, which is a pouch used by the Paisas, a poncho and machete, representing the carriers, strong men who colonized the land in which one of the bravest Departments of the beautiful Colombia was created.
 
“This clothing is given to you so that just like Antiochian carriers built their Department, Dr. Soto continues to build paths to peace, which is greatly desired in the world,” stated Mr. Acero.

In addition to the warm welcoming words given by the President of the Department Assembly, the words delivered by Mr. Edwin Tapias Buritica, a communitarian leader from the region of La Sierra, were heard with much interest.  He confirmed the positive transformation seen in the region and praised the intervention of the Agents of Peace.

Former Deputy Gildardo de Jesus Lopera, an outstanding Agent of the Peace, reviewed the work undertaken by Antioquia’s Commission of Peace in 2007, highlighting the reconciliation between contenders of conflicts in the Department.

In the midst of joy and fellowship the event concluded, and the words of Dr. Soto were in everyone’s mind: "Medellín is a model city of peace.”

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