The long and winding road to peace

Erich Mellado and Elisabet Juanola.
Santiago de Chile. 

This year a number of Latin American nations have celebrated the 200-year anniversary since independence, Chile is amongst them. The idea of celebrating and the desire to look back on what has happened in these two centuries has inspired many of these countries to prepare an offering for the anniversary. The results are in the hands of historians, politicians and all those who imagine a different country. This national celebration also provides an opportunity to look at how peace has been built, the hopes for peace and what is yet to be done in order for this culture to permeate more deeply in to society.

Evaluating the history of peace in Chile over the past 200 years is a big challenge; as opposed to the clear line drawn by chronology, the road to peace, is more of a winding track, in some places it is barely visible and in others the track disappears all together only to reappear some time later. In Chile peace has not been continual or enduring. There have been many wars, disputes, and examples of the strong imposing their will on the weak.

But if you take a close look you can catch glimpses of peace, that perhaps go unexplored in history books, which tend to recount exploits, triumphs or defeats. Over the last 200 years the road to peace has gained visibility in Chile in a number of ways. At every cultural crossroads an undeniable wealth is built. Although not exempt from pain and death, the meeting of indigenous and foreign people has woven a rich amalgam that can be seen from North to South, all along the 4300km length of the country. For many years after colonial supremacy people were despised for having autochthonous blood. Today the contribution made by Kunzas, Onas, Changos, ,Atacameños, Diaguitas, Kawéskar, Coyas, Aymaras, Araucanos, German, Swiss, Croat and Spanish people adds up and grows and aims to celebrate the unique aspects of each culture. And each and every one of these groups leaves their own unique imprint.

The road to peace became apparent in Chile’s history when agreements were made between political adversaries and laws of integration were passed: such as women’s participation in democratic life in 1952, the agrarian reform that allowed land to be distributed and led to the incorporation of rural workers into the country’s political and cultural life. Literacy rates improved, as did other parameters that help distinguish Chile as having the best rate of human development in Latin America.

Two Nobel Peace Prizes made peace shine out even more in Chile. The prizes were awarded to Gabriela Mistral and Pablo Neruda, and served to acknowledge the importance of poetry, which spreads a sense of hope and helps people see the deep spirit of peace that exists in this land.

Whilst some insist on pointing out that Chile is the product of wars, conquests and battles, peace culture weighs things up differently. The power of reconciliation, civil friendship, dialogue and the need to agree in order to go forwards, which are all long processes in a state of work in progress. Chile, the land of brothers and sisters, a place for everyone at the table, these mottos have been used in reference to this country in order to add to a sense of unity. Today in Chile people find forgiveness very painful, possibly because in order to forgive we must believe in the process whereas throughout history we have been taught to focus on the significant dates that signal triumphs and defeats. Today more than ever we must listen to others and recognise the space that they are in.