Herbolzheimer, Kristian

Herbolzheimer, Kristian

Kristian Herbolzheimer

1 December 2002Feature

The participatory peace and democratic initiatives emerging at the local and regional level in Colombia usually lack a solid base of support in Europe. Kristian Herbolzheimer looks at the possibilities for a decentralised response, involving not just citizens' groups but local institutions.

Cooperation for development has long ceased to be the prerogative of states. Apart from the big NGOs and church organisations, there are more direct ways in which citizens of countries in the North - be it through unions, small NGOs, or sup-port committees - have been playing an active part in building solidarity between peoples.

In step with the growth of civic consciousness and commitment, local and regional administrations have become more involved. The sum of these social…