Caceroliando: Promoting creative Storytelling for Change among activists shaping Colombia's peacebuilding Process

Imagine this: A workshop uniting Colombian activists focused on the peace process and reconciliation, where they learned to communicate through creative storytelling at the House of Peace in Bogotá. This event was a key outcome of the collaboration between Tactical Tech’s Exposing the Invisible project and Caceroliando, an independent media initiative rooted in Colombia’s vibrant countercultural movement. Dedicated to producing alternative media that highlights gender perspectives, human rights, and peacebuilding, Caceroliando empowers citizens to share their stories through innovative formats like podcasts and video.

The workshop, held at Bogotá’s La Casa de La Paz, utilized Tactical Tech’s “Exposing the Invisible Kit” to guide 17 participants from various organizations in creating compelling narratives about social projects and investigations.

In addition to the workshop, the collaboration resulted in a three-part video podcast series. These episodes were based on key articles from Tactical Tech’s toolkit, including “Interviews: the Human Element of Your Investigation,” “Investigation is Collaboration: How to Make it Work,” and “Eight Breakable Rules of Investigative Writing.” The podcast featured interviews with figures such as Paola Carvajal from Memorias Colombia, an organization working with survivors of the Colombian armed conflict, and Rafael Quishpe, the founder of Biblioteca Musical de la Paz, a Colombian music library dedicated to peace. These interviews highlighted the power of community-driven documentation and storytelling in preserving memories and fostering dialogue in the context of Colombia’s ongoing peace process.

Caceroliando’s efforts showcase the impact of communication technologies on peacebuilding, providing citizens with tools to document their histories and contribute to social justice in Colombia. This partnership has opened new avenues for content production and strengthened relationships with other social collectives, emphasizing the importance of multidisciplinary teams in amplifying social investigations. As Caceroliando bridges grassroots organizations with international platforms, they play a crucial role in Colombia’s post-conflict narrative, promoting peace and advancing democracy in a society healing from the traumas of war.