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Presidential Commission for Peace and Understanding Opens Phase of Dialogues and Proposals

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1. There will be different spaces. The Intercultural Dialogues cycle begins in Temuco on May 4, and to attend, registration must be completed online. The Self-Convened Territorial Meetings will require registration through a record provided by the Commission.

"Self-Convened Territorial Meetings" and "Intercultural Dialogues." These are the names of two of the different and new spaces for gathering, conversation, debate, and proposals that the Presidential Commission for Peace and Understanding has made available—starting this April—in the regions of Biobío, Araucanía, Los Ríos, and Los Lagos.

Both are part of the "Dialogues for Understanding" phase, in which the cross-sectoral body will focus—as its legal mandate states—on fostering dialogue to reach consensus and legitimize the measures it will propose at the end of its mission. This was explained by the Commission's co-chairs, Francisco Huenchumilla and Alfredo Moreno, and the executive secretary Víctor Ramos.

The latter emphasized that this new phase is "for all people who wish to engage in respectful dialogue and contribute concrete ideas to lay the groundwork for resolving the conflict in these regions, to have alternatives. So that Mapuche and non-Mapuche individuals, communities, farmers, productive guilds, victims of violence, or civil society in general have spaces to debate, reflect, and propose initiatives."

Self-Convened Territorial Meetings: Organize and request a record

The "Dialogues for Understanding" phase consists of different spaces. Some are the "Self-Convened Territorial Meetings," where Mapuche communities, civil society groups, or organizations can gather to debate and present proposals under their own deliberation methods.

"Organize and convene a meeting with people interested in presenting these proposals that contribute to Peace and Understanding," urged co-chair Huenchumilla to residents of the four regions. He explained that this is done by requesting "a record from the Commission to register that meeting and the agreements you reach."

Executive Secretary Víctor Ramos emphasized that "we know the Mapuche people have particular ways of organizing, and we seek to establish a mechanism that supports their forms of organization and deliberation. With this approach, we also aim to respect the different spaces of civil society and make it easier for all who wish to contribute to do so."

To hold a Self-Convened Territorial Meeting, interested individuals only need to contact the Executive Secretariat via email at secretariaejecutiva@comisionpazyentendimiento.gob.cl; via WhatsApp at +56 9 96521096, or by calling the landline at +56 22 6945987.

Intercultural Dialogues begin on May 4: Get informed and register

For the Intercultural Dialogues, registration is required instead of self-convening. These will be different meetings as they will follow a methodology to facilitate conversation, reflection, debate, and proposals.

Participants must be over 18 years old, and as co-chair Moreno explained, "if you live in these regions, go to the website www.comisionpazyentendimiento.gob.cl. In the 'Participate' section, click on the 'Intercultural Dialogues' tab. Register for the date and location of the dialogue you prefer." The list of these meetings will be updated regularly.

The first Intercultural Dialogue will take place on Saturday, May 4, at the Liceo Bicentenario in Temuco. "This is a cycle of respectful conversation spaces to present and share ideas for a lasting solution to the conflict. Be part of this historic opportunity to resolve this issue. Your proposals will help us build consensus," Moreno elaborated.

This new phase will continue to be promoted by the Commission, a cross-sectoral body established in June 2023, which advises the President of the Republic to lay the foundations for a long-term solution to the territorial issue in these four regions.

Proposals and contributions can also be submitted to the Commission through the online form on the same official website.