Promotion of a Culture of Peace in El Salvador The Central American University (UCA) in San Salvador is one of 3 Jesuit-run universities in the region. For many decades, these universities have provided a focus for intellectual, moral and social action in support of the poorest sectors of society. Throughout the years of conflict in El Salvador, the UCA was a leading force in the defence of human rights and an outspoken opponent of the state-sponsored military repression. In November 1989, 6 of the Jesuit priests working at the UCA were murdered by the army. In spite of the violence and repression, the UCA has continued firm in its pastoral role to accompany grassroots Christian communities, promote peace and reconciliation and help maintain an awareness of the country’s history.  19 years after the signing of the peace accords, El Salvador still faces huge challenges in the achievement of a peaceful, just, equal society where human rights are respected and citizens are fully aware of and able to exercise their rights to responsive state institutions. 
It was during wartime when the Social Outreach Programme was developed and consolidated. It was part of the response of the UCA to the country's crisis. In 1985 the Institute of Human Rights (IDHUCA) was established for the purpose of documenting and disseminating human rights violations being committed, as well as encouraging compliance. In 1989, the Monsignor Romero University Pastoral Center was created, including in its mission a number of pastoral religious activities that were already being developed. The Social Outreach Programme is noticeably enhanced with the opening of YSUCA, a participatory, educational and informative radio station. The operation of these units has been made possible by the support of many international agencies, which since their inception have financed these in support of contributing to the legacy and aspirations of Mons. Romero, the Jesuit martyrs and countless others who suffered for their faith, commitment and thirst for justice. 
The project itself represents an effort by UCA’s Social Outreach Department to integrate in a single proposal the gamma of activities that will be implemented in its goal to promote a Culture of Peace in El Salvador. The primary objective is to promote the reflection, dissemination and the practice of a Culture of Peace based in Christian inspiration and a commitment for justice. This goal will be attained through educating citizens in building a just and inclusive society, actualizing the historical memory, both in its past and present dimensions,  and the dissemination of that memory as an horizon or testimony for citizen identity and a potential for human values. 
This project will be coordinated by UCA’s Social Outreach Department using an integral approach, incorporating 3 areas, which together will contribute to the promotion of a Culture of Peace in Salvadoran civil society. The context and motivation for this lofty statement is the martyrdom suffered by Jesuit priests and collaborators of the UCA and thousands more during the civil war conflict. The 3 intervening units of UCA’s social outreach programme include IDHUCA with the formation and education of community leaders, Radio YSUCA with its nurturing of mass public opinion and dissemination of information and the Mons. Romero Pastoral Centre with its greater articulation, promotion and preservation of the country’s collective memory.