Network Analysis for Participatory Peace Building in Las Palmeras Neighborhood, Córdoba

Abstract

The participatory study of networks (institutional and base groups) in Las Palmeras (Córdoba) outlines the neighbourhood’s current dynamic relational-reticular framework and constitutes a basic tool for the Participative Planning of Proposals for Peaceful Coexistence and for Building Strategies for a Comprehensive Development of the Local Community. Besides shedding light on the different active networks, their relations and their strength, the existing hierarchies, the elements and actors that function as bridges, and the impact of these in the situations prevailing in the community, the participatory perspective from which this research project has been developed has allowed a greater implication of the citizenry in the whole process of reflection, facilitating the assumption of social responsibilities by the neighbours, for the implementation of proposals for Peaceful Coexistence, through the creation of mechanisms and structures for participation, reflection and consensus that will be able to independently and effectively tackle the clashing situations resulting from conflicts.

The intervention strategy started from a community construction-reflection focused on the networks and relations, approaching the community’s social problems and initiating the search, development and implementation of the agreed proposals able to generate more and better peaceful coexistences.