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Publications
Articles, publications, books, tools and multimedia features from the U.S. Institute of Peace provide the latest news, analysis, research findings, practitioner guides and reports, all related to the conflict zones and issues that are at the center of the Institute’s work to prevent and reduce violent conflict.
Colombia’s War Survivors Appeal for U.S. Support, Responsibility
Victims of the five-decade war in Colombia, one of the world’s most longstanding conflicts, appealed during a visit to Washington this week for the U.S. and other nations to accept their share of responsibility for the effects and help end remaining fighting to improve the odds for the peace being negotiated in Havana.
Could Colombia's Election Kill Its Peace Process?
Colombia's presidential campaign is in its final days before run-off elections on Sunday, June 15, and as the contest winds down, it has become clear that the fate of the two peace processes that have been spearheaded by President Juan Manuel Santos hang in the balance. An election marked in an earlier phase by dirty politicking and mudslinging -- with mutual accusations over narco-financing and wiretapping (complete with authenticated audiovisuals of efforts by challenger Oscar Iván Zuluaga'...
'Women of Courage' Awardees Challenge Social Norms Head On
Roshika Deo’s announcement that she would run in her country’s first election since a military coup eight years ago drew vicious condemnation on social media – racist and homophobic comments, threats of rape. Her story hails from the South Pacific island nation of Fiji, but it reflects the kinds of attacks, verbal and physical, also faced by her fellow recipients of the U.S. State Department’s International Women of Courage Awards this year.
Human Rights and the Colombian Peace Process
Dr. Virginia M. Bouvier, senior program officer for Latin America at USIP, gave the following testimony before the Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission, U.S. House of Representatives
Land, Conflict, and Peace in Colombia
USIP’s Virginia “Ginny” Bouvier discusses the connection between land, conflict and peace in Colombia.
USIP Hosts Roundtable Discussion on Colombian Peace Process
On March 15th, USIP hosted a roundtable discussion on the Colombian peace process launched in Norway in October 2012 and now in its seventh round of talks in Havana.
25th Anniversary of Esquipulas II: Lessons for Peace in Colombia?
August 2012 marks 25 years since the signing of the Esquipulas II agreement in Guatemala that brought an end to the wars of Central America. USIP's senior program officer for Latin America, Virginia Bouvier, explores what lessons Esquipulas II might offer for peace in Colombia.
Summit of the Americas
The theme of the sixth summit of the Americas to be held in Cartagena, Colombia from April 14-15, 2012, is “Connecting the Americas: Partners for Prosperity.” USIP's Colombia expert, Virginia Bouvier, previews the summit.
A Historical Case Study of Violence in Colombia
Colombia’s National Committee of Reparation and Reconciliation (CNRR) established a Historical Memory Group, an independent, autonomous unit of 14 respected academics charged with producing an account of the origins and evolution of Colombia’s internal armed conflict, giving special attention to the perspectives of victims. USIP has been supporting the work of the gender unit of the Historical Memory Group.
Demobilization and Reintegration of ExCombatants in Colombia
With the support of USIP, the Fundación Antonio Restrepo Barco developed a model psycho-social treatment program for 100 ex-combatants. Three professional counselors trained a group of thirty ex-combatants from the Caribbean coastal region in strategies to assist in their own social reintegration and to train them as peer counselors.