Colombia turns bullets into pens as symbol of peaceful future

Latin America

The Colombian government has ordered bullets be turned into pens to commemorate an impending peace accord with the FARC rebel group.

CCTV America’s Michelle Begue reports Bogota, Colombia.

In the country’s version of beating swords into ploughshares, each bullet bears the message: “Education is going to write our future.”

“We need to invest in education the resources that once went to war so that Colombia can be a country with the equal opportunities, and this … a bullet, turned into a pen… is that symbol,” Colombia’s Minister of Education Gina Parody said.

The bullet pens are made from live ammunition deactivated by the state-owned weapons manufacturer, Indumil.

The Colombian government commissioned them at the end of February as a joint creation of the Education Ministry and McCann Colombia advertising agency.

Five hundred of the bullet pens have been given to historians, journalists, and public officials.

Political Journalist Lariza Pizano received a pen, and said she hopes the symbols can one day become a reality.

“We also hope in the journalism world that we can start writing with pens like these , stories that truly reflect a country in peace.. not just discourses. Stories that talk about a rise in education or rises in income, and better work,” Pizano said.

The most important use of this pen may come on March 23rd, as the Ministry of Education says one of the bullet pens will be used in the signing of a final peace agreement with FARC.