The Konrad Lorenz University Foundation was the venue for the official launch of the international project ARTS CHANGE, an interdisciplinary initiative that seeks to address the root causes of gender-based violence in Latin America through scientific research and arts-based interventions. On January 16 and 17, 2025, the ARTS-CHANGE team gathered at Fundación Universitaria Konrad Lorenz in Bogotá for the official launch of the project. The event brought together experts in psychology, community engagement, and the arts, who discussed how these disciplines can work together to combat gender-based violence and build a more equitable society.

ARTS-CHANGE is a project funded by the Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC) and led by a distinguished team: Professor Huseyin Cakal, PhD, from Keele University (United Kingdom); Dr. Claudia Pineda Marín from Fundación Universitaria Konrad Lorenz (Colombia); and Dr. Lisa Dikomitis, PhD, from the University of Kent (United Kingdom). Its main objective is to bring together a diverse, interdisciplinary working group to investigate the historical and current roots of gender-based violence in Colombia, Ecuador, Bolivia, and Peru. The project aims to develop an inclusive conceptual framework to support the implementation of arts-based interventions as tools for social change and survivor support.

During the inaugural meeting, a diverse, interdisciplinary working group was established with the mission of investigating the historical, cultural, and social factors that underpin gender-based violence in Colombia, Ecuador, Bolivia y Perú. Building on this foundation, the team will develop an inclusive conceptual framework to implement arts-based interventions as tools for social change and survivor support.

The event provided a space for reflection and collective development, where innovative approaches integrating art and science were discussed to promote equity and well-being in the communities most affected. The conferences, workshops, and discussions held over the two days highlighted the transformative potential of the arts to raise awareness, heal wounds, and encourage social participation.

Through this initiative, Fundación Universitaria Konrad Lorenz reaffirmed its commitment to applied research and social change, demonstrating that collaborative and creative work is key to addressing complex issues such as gender-based violence in Latin America.