The United Nations Regional Centre for Peace, Disarmament and Development in Latin America and the Caribbean (UNLIREC), within the framework of its programme ‘Strengthening Human Security and Community Resilience by Fostering Peaceful Coexistence in Peru’, brought together more than 800 adolescents in the city of Trujillo from 19 to 20 August 2016 to view theatrical dance routines. These artistic performances sensitize and raise awareness about the use of firearms and their impact upon society and community. The event was attended and supported by local and regional authorities.
The dance performance is the result of a joint initiative between UNLIREC and the Cultural Association Angels D1 (Asociación Cultural Ángeles D1), led by the well-known Peruvian choreographer and dancer, Vania Masias. The performance, entitled Stories of Fire, was elaborated by D1 and performed by its young artists. Through artistic dance and urban music, the young dancers recreate stories sending a clear message about the presence and circulation of firearms in the communities, as well as the impacts that their use has upon cohabitation and social structure.
The performance was carried out in Trujillo, in the district of El Porvenir, which is the second district with the highest homicide rate registered nationwide (22 per 1000,000 inhabitants) in 2015.
The UN Joint Programme for Human Security, works in an articulated manner with public institutions and authorities of Trujillo, particularly in the districts of El Porvenir, La Esperanza and Florencia de Mora, in order to reduce and prevent crime in general, gender-based violence and adolescent involvement in criminal activities.