From July 30 to August 1, 2024, the Community of Practice in Peace Construction met in the city of Bogotá Colombia to strengthen their ties and redefine their work strategies, in an atmosphere of fraternity and commitment. This meeting highlighted the importance of working together, especially for faith-based organisations, such as Caritas, which play a crucial role in peace-building and social justice. The meeting was also marked by a deep spirituality through the Holy Mass and self-care spaces that enriched healthy coexistence between the organizations, beyond the work agenda.

During the meeting, the internal commissions were reviewed and reorganized. The need to create new commissions was highlighted, such as one dedicated to the care of the common home, another for strategic alliances and one more for research. These proposals seek not only to expand the reach of the community, but also to systematize and recover the good advocacy practices that already exist. This collective effort reaffirms the commitment of all participating organizations to strengthen their structures and strategies.

A key point of the meeting was knowledge management. It was decided to create a specific commission for this purpose, in addition to the already existing training commission. Taking advantage of the experience of organizations like CRS in knowledge management is vital to adapt these practices to concrete community action. This transversal approach will allow the community to capitalize on its accumulated wisdom and apply it in effective actions for peace and justice.

Collaboration and articulation with other instances and organizations were also central themes. It was proposed to establish agreements with the CELAM Knowledge Management Center and the Platform for Peace, Democracy and Human Rights. Identifying those responsible for energizing each commission and clearly defining its scope and limits, especially the investigation commission, will help focus the community's efforts and maximize its impact.

In a gesture of shared commitment, it was agreed to prioritize the current issues of the region and centralize the efforts of the investigation subcommittee. The importance of systematizing experiences to generate knowledge and make peace-building actions visible in pastoral spaces was emphasized. These decisions reflect the community's willingness to work together, taking advantage of the expertise of all its members to respond effectively to current challenges.

The reflection on the reality of Latin America and the Caribbean highlighted challenges such as authoritarian governance, violence against vulnerable groups and socio-environmental conflicts. The meeting concluded with a call for greater articulation between the actions of the Church in the region and the visibility of these actions to counteract polarization. The organizations present, including Cáritas, reaffirmed their commitment to continue working together in defining and prioritizing their actions, to achieve a significant impact on the construction of peace and social justice. The shared spirituality and moments of conviviality strengthened the ties between the participants, creating an environment of collaboration and mutual support that will be essential for future challenges.