In an effort to shed light on peacemaking efforts within Colombia, USIP is bringing together perspectives on recent initiatives regarding the peace process and the role of the international community.

In his first term, President Uribe backed a Justice and Peace law that demilitarized approximately 32,000 paramilitary combatants. Two illegal armed guerilla organizations remain—the FARC and the ELN—and there are new peacemaking initiatives underway in relation to each. The Spanish, French, and Swiss governments are supporting the creation of a demilitarized zone for a humanitarian exchange of FARC hostages and prisoners. Congressman Jim McGovern (D-MA) and others on the Hill have indicated their willingness to support the European initiative. The other armed guerrilla group, the ELN, is currently engaged in talks with the Colombian government (also with European facilitation), and they appear to be close to a preliminary agreement.

This briefing will focus on the ELN process, the humanitarian accord with the FARC, and the role of the international community in supporting peace efforts in Colombia.

Agenda

Welcome

• David Smock
  Vice President, Center for Mediation and Conflict Resolution, Associate Vice President, Religion and Peacemaking Program, U.S. Institute of Peace

Opening Remarks

• Congressman Jim McGovern
  (D-MA)
• Virginia M. Bouvier, Moderator
  Senior Program Officer, U.S. Institute of Peace

Panel I: Briefing on Recent Initiatives with ELN and FARC

The ELN Peace Process

• Leon Valencia
  Political Analyst and President, Corporacion Nuevo Arco Iris

The Spanish-French-Swiss Humanitarian Accord: Gateway to Negotiations with the FARC

• Angela Giraldo
  Peace Commissioner, Cali; and sister of Francisco Giraldo, Valle del Cauca departmental legislator kidnapped by the FARC in 2002

Panel II: The Role of Third-Party Actors in Colombia

The International Community in the ELN/FARC Processes

• Rémy Friedmann
  Head of the Colombia Peace Policy Programme at the Swiss Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (Berne)

Preparing the Ground for Peace: Informal Avenues for Dialogue

Dr. Jennifer Schirmer
Senior Fellow, Jennings Randolph Program, U.S. Institute of Peace

Discussion

Archived Audio

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