By Mariafernanda Burgos Ariza, a Rotary Peace Fellow —
My journey toward being a peacebuilder began shortly after I joined the Rotaract Club of Bogotá Centro Histórico in 2015. Rotaract planted the seeds of peace within me, which I am now using to support those facing injustice and helplessness both in my community and the world.
In Rotaract, I was privileged along with members of my club to design and implement a project to teach science to low-income girls and teens in Bogotá. The young women learned about DNA, cells, and molecular biology. Beyond the scientific knowledge, the project taught them to think innovatively and engage in creative problem-solving, tools they could use to build peace. They were empowered to explore new ways to address local challenges, fostering both personal growth and community development.
After that, I led the “Paz a la Vista” initiative, which gave young leaders from vulnerable areas in Bogotá a platform to replicate art and practice their creativity. We used the “train-the-trainer” methodology, building up local leaders and recognizing their value so they could continue to be pillars of change in their community.
Through Rotaract, I realized that peace is not merely the absence of violence. It encompasses many aspects of life including well-being, social unity, and access to basic needs. The work that I did with my club at that time gave me the humility to understand that, although I believed we were touching the lives of many, it was they who were truly touching us deeply.
From local realities to global challenges
In Rotaract, I learned the values of fellowship, integrity, diversity, service, and leadership. These motivated me to apply and be accepted as a Rotary Peace Fellow at the Rotary Peace Center at the University of Bradford, England, in 2019. I had the opportunity to expand that learning, this time globally in an international context.
After completing my master’s degree in Advanced Practice in Peacebuilding and Conflict Resolution, I collaborated with the municipality of Istanbul on a sustainable development strategy for the city. I also assisted WATAN, an international organization, in designing projects for communities impacted by the conflict in Syria. I further supported a migrant protection organization in Lesbos, Greece. More than 400,000 refugees seek shelter there each year, mainly fleeing violence. This experience touched me deeply, teaching me the profound and lasting consequences that armed conflicts have on individuals, and the far-reaching impact they have worldwide.
Today, I work at the Kroc Institute for International Peace Studies at the University of Notre Dame. In my role as a Monitoring and Evaluation Specialist for the Peace Accords Matrix (PAM) program, I monitor key programmatic indicators of progress in implementing the peace agreements between Colombia and Mindanao-Philippines. I gather data from various sources, including local organizations, government agencies, and international community organizations. Our work allows us to assess the effectiveness of peacebuilding efforts, driving accountability and ensuring that our efforts are leading to lasting peace.
The Peace Accords Matrix program holds the largest database on peace agreement implementation, including data on 34 agreements signed between 1989 and 2012. Currently, it monitors two peace agreements in real time in Colombia and the Philippines. Our impact today lies in being a neutral actor that provides regular, validated information, serving as a bridge between different stakeholders and facilitating dialogue through technical support. This information allows decision-makers to make informed choices, ensuring the effective and transparent implementation of peace agreements. As a result, the ongoing PAM efforts contribute to concrete actions, making peace real and achievable for societies that have suffered decades of armed conflict.
Through Rotary, we can have a powerful impact on our communities and social causes, acting like seeds that grow and reach others. Our ultimate goal is empowering individuals to progress independently through self-determination, sustainable action, and through the multiplying effect of methods that train the trainers. Join us on this journey as we collaborate to build lasting peace and create positive change.
Mariafernanda Burgos Ariza is a former Rotaractor and Rotary Peace Fellow. A native of Colombia, she currently lives in the United States, where she is the Peace Accords Matrix Monitoring and Evaluation Specialist for the Kroc Institute for International Peace Studies.
https://blog.rotary.org/2025/03/27/a-colombians-journey-of-peace-rotaract-rotary-and-the-rotary-peace-centers/