The Conference of Latin American Bishops at Medellín, Colombia stated on 6 September 1968: 'There are many studies of the Latin American people. All of these studies describe the misery that besets large masses of human beings in all of our countries...the Conference wishes to voice its pastoral concern for the extensive peasant class... If it is true that one ought to consider the diversity of circumstances and resources in the different countries, there is no doubt that there is a common denominator in all of them: the need for the human promotion of the peasants and Indians.' Following the Conference, Christian grassroots communities (Communidades Eclesiales de Base, CEB) were formed that were intended to empower the poor by organizing projects that would relieve their immediate economic distress.