Seminar: Colombia at a crossroads (København)

The end of the peace negotiations between the government of Colombia and the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) reflects an important political achievement in the country’s recent history. The agreement comes after more than 52 years of war – a conflict which has led to over 8 million victims, and is estimated to have resulted in more than 220,000 deaths and over 7 million internally displaced persons. The highest in the world according to the UN. 

At this seminar, we turn our attention to the Colombian presidential election on 27 May. Issues such as street crime and corruption scandals involving public funds have dominated the race. A main punching bag has also been the peace deal with the FARC.

While it is unlikely that major changes to the deal would be easily achieved under a new government, Colombias’ deep political divisions could mean that parts of the accord could end up in the cross hairs, as the next government puts them into effect.

This seminar looks at the challenges ahead for the victims of the civil war, the FARC and the prospects of peace in this deeply polarized society.

Speakers

Caroline Delgado, PhD Student, Humanitarian and Conflict Response Institute, the University of Manchester

Julia Suarez-Krabbe, Associate Professor, Department of Communication and Arts, Roskilde University

Merete Hansen, The Danish Embassy in Colombia (via Skype connection)

Jairo Munive, Senior Researcher, DIIS

Programme

14.30-14.35: Introduction
Jairo Munive

14.35-14.55: FARC, and the security vacuum it left behind
Caroline Delgado

14.55-15.15: The bullet as the ballot. War-based democracy and imperialism in post-conflict Colombia
Julia Suarez-Krabbe

15.15-15.25: Coffee break

15.25-15.45: Implementation of the peace accord and international cooperation: Danish perspectives (via Skype connection)
Merete Hansen

15.45-16.15: Discussion

Chair: Jairo Munive

Practical information

The seminar will be in English and livestreamed on https://www.diis.dk/.

Participation is free of charge, but registration is required. Please use our online registration form no later than Tuesday 1 May 2018 at 12.00 noon. Livestream does not require registration.

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