Nariño, a department in southern Colombia, forms part of the traditional territory of several Indigenous groups, including the Awá. Indigenous groups and Afro-Colombians have been seriously impacted by Colombia's armed conflict in this area. Most recently, fumigations under Plan Colombia have pushed coca cultivation from the northeast of Putamayo and southern Cauca into Nariño. Paramilitaries, the Colombian Armed Forces, and further fumigations havefollowed. Two left-wing guerrilla organizations are also active.

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The convergence of armed actors, coca cultivation, multinational megaprojects, and Plan Colombia have escalated the conflict in Nariño and in Awá territory, making it one of the most violent regions in Colombia. Delegates will have the opportunity to be part of the CPT Colombia Team intermittent accompaniment of Awá communities that began in the fall of 2006. Delegates will meet with Indigenous and other human rights and social justice organizations in Bogotá, then travel with Team members to Nariño to hear first-hand about the struggle and Plans for Life of the Awá People.