Peace negotiators seeking to end Colombia’s five-decade-long conflict are beginning to tackle the final issues, including how to reintegrate former insurgents into civilian life. On January 29th, the U.S. Institute of Peace held a discussion of this vexing question with experts including a former negotiator at the peace talks in Havana.

Columbia Peace Forum

As the parties in the talks prepare for their 32nd round of negotiations in early February, the key remaining issues to be resolved focus on establishing processes that ensure victims of the war will be able to secure their rights to truth, justice, reparations, and guarantees that violations won’t be repeated. Another challenge regards negotiating how former combatants and their associates will make the transition back to civilian life, a process known as demobilization, disarmament, and reintegration (DDR).

Two panels at this Colombia Peace Forum on Paths to Reintegration analyzed the successes and pitfalls of DDR processes from around the world, lessons from Colombia’s past reintegration efforts, and policy recommendations in a new report from the International Crisis Group. Continue the conversation on Twitter with #ColombiaPeaceForum.

Speakers

Virginia M. Bouvier
Senior Advisor for Latin American Programs, United States Institute of Peace

Alejandro Eder
Former High Commissioner for Reintegration
Former Alternative Plenipotentiary at the Havana Peace Talks

Mark Schneider
Senior Vice President and Special Adviser on Latin America, International Crisis Group

Kathleen Kerr
Deputy Chief of Mission-Colombia, International Organization for Migration

Sandra Pabón
Reintegration and Prevention of Recruitment Team Lead, Office of Vulnerable Populations, U.S. Agency for International Development-Colombia

Michael Duttwiller
Legal Analyst, Transitional Justice Unit, Mission to Support the Peace Process, Organization of American States

Kimberly Theidon
Senior Fellow, Latin America Program,  Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars

Adam Isacson
Senior Associate for Regional Security Policy, Washington Office on Latin America

Agenda

2:00 | Welcome and Introductions        

  • George Lopez, VP, Academy for International Conflict Management and Peacebuilding, USIP
  • Ginny Bouvier, Senior Advisor for Latin America, USIP

2:15-3:15 | Panel I: Lessons from Colombia: What Has Worked and What Has Not?

  • Experiences of Reintegration from the Office of the High Commissioner for Reintegration
    Alejandro Eder, former High Commissioner for Reintegration
  • Lessons Learned from the AUC Demobilizations
    Sandra Pabón, Team Lead for Reintegration and Prevention of Recruitment, Office of Vulnerable Populations, U.S. Agency for International Development-Colombia, and Kathleen Kerr, Deputy Chief of Mission-Colombia, International Organization for Migration
  • Reintegration in Urabá: Role of the Evangelical Churches
    Kimberly Theidon, Senior Fellow, Latin America Program, Woodrow Wilson Center for International Scholars
  • Challenges to Demobilization and Transitional Justice: Lessons from the Organization of American States’s Mission to Support the Peace Process (MAPP-OAS)
    Michael Duttwiler, Legal Analyst, Transitional Justice Unit, MAPP-OAS

Break 3:15-3:30

3:30-4:30 | Panel II: Policy Recommendations for a Forward-Looking Reintegration Process

  • “Ending the Conflict in Colombia: The New ICG Report,” Mark Schneider, Senior Vice President and Special Advisor on Latin America, International Crisis Group
  • Commentators:
    • Adam Isacson, Senior Associate for Regional Security Policy, Washington Office on Latin America
    • Ginny Bouvier, Senior Advisor on Latin America Programs, USIP

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sCp0BipFQB0

Related Publications

China-Colombia Relations are Growing, if Slowly

China-Colombia Relations are Growing, if Slowly

Wednesday, November 15, 2023

By: Margaret Myers

Colombian President Gustavo Petro’s visit to Beijing in October amounted to a notable — if quite small — step forward for China and Colombia, building on growing trade and other ties, while also laying the groundwork for cooperation on issues, such as media and security, which China has promoted across the region.

Type: Analysis

Global Policy

La guerra entre Israel y Hamas divide a América Latina a través de líneas partidistas

La guerra entre Israel y Hamas divide a América Latina a través de líneas partidistas

Wednesday, November 8, 2023

By: Mary Speck, Ph.D.;  Nicolás Devia-Valbuena;  Lucila Del Aguila;  Sebastián Guerra

A medida que aumentan las bajas civiles en el conflicto entre Israel y Hamás, muchos líderes latinoamericanos están intensificando sus críticas al gobierno israelí. Bolivia recientemente se convirtió en el primer país en romper relaciones con Israel; Chile, Colombia y Honduras llamaron a sus embajadores para consultas; y diplomáticos de Argentina, Brasil y México han condenado a Israel por su violencia, exigiendo un cese inmediato de las hostilidades.

Type: Analysis

Global Policy

Israel-Hamas War Divides Latin America Along Partisan Lines

Israel-Hamas War Divides Latin America Along Partisan Lines

Wednesday, November 8, 2023

By: Mary Speck, Ph.D.;  Nicolás Devia-Valbuena;  Lucila Del Aguila;  Sebastián Guerra

As casualties mount in the Israel-Hamas conflict, many Latin American leaders are intensifying their criticism of the Israeli government. Bolivia recently became the first country to sever ties with Israel; Chile, Colombia and Honduras recalled their ambassadors for consultations; and diplomats from Argentina, Brazil and Mexico have blasted Israel for the bloodshed, calling for an immediate end to hostilities.

Type: Analysis

Global Policy

View All Publications