An opportunity for Colombia's exiled and immigrant community to participate in the peace process

A delegation of five cross-party representatives of the Colombian Congress will visit London on 19 and 20 May to promote public participation in the Colombia peace process, as part of a series of events being held in western Europe.

Their goal is to listen to the voices of the Colombian diaspora and to increase social and institutional support in the UK for the peace efforts in Colombia.

Background

The Government of Colombia and the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) have been engaging in peace talks in Havana since October 2012. Their aim is to end almost five decades of armed conflict that has caused hundreds of thousands of deaths and displaced millions of people.

Both sides share an understanding that public participation is essential for the success of the peace talks. The Commission for Peace of the Colombian Congress has therefore organised several Peace Forums across Colombia, with technical support from the United Nations.

The voice of the diaspora

To enable the Colombian diaspora to be part of the peace process, a group of Europe-based NGOs, academic institutions, and other organisations have combined efforts to organise similar Forums in London, Brussels, Paris and Barcelona. This is a unique innovation in the global practice of peacemaking.

Millions of Colombians have left the country, many of them as a direct consequence of conflict. These Fora will be a landmark opportunity for the diaspora to make our voices heard and to become part of this collective effort to build a more inclusive society. Peoples’ participation is essential for a just and lasting peace.

Miguel Puerto, a community organiser based in London

In London the Colombian MPs will:

  1. Promote dialogue among the diaspora, through public fora with some 200 participants (Sunday 19 May, 2–4pm).
  2. Meet with the UK Government and Parliament (Monday 20 May).
  3. Engage with media to increase the awareness and interest in the Colombia peace process.

There is a need to demystify the process. Peace won’t trickle down from the negotiating table in Havana; it has to be the result of a joint commitment from the whole of society. There are multiple paths to peace and, for it to succeed, people need to feel ownership of the process.

Kristian Herbolzheimer, adviser on peace processes at peacebuilding NGO Conciliation Resources

All Colombians, regardless of ideology, are invited to participate in the dialogue and to bring forward their proposals for a peaceful future.

After the fora, the MPs will hand over the proposals of the Colombian diaspora to the two parties at the negotiating table.

Colombians have different perspectives on the root causes of war; but we all share the hope for a common future. The different political parties in Congress have a shared commitment to promote dialogue and reconciliation, which is why we are promoting these Forums in Colombia and now – for the first time – also with our diaspora.

Joaquín Camelo, co-Chair of the Commission for Peace of the Congress, and spokesperson for the MP delegation to Europe

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>> Notes to editors

Media contacts

  • Andrei Gómez A.Gomez@sussex.ac.uk Rodeemos el Diálogo. Tel: 07946138792
  • Charlotte Melly cmelly@c-r.org Coordinator of the London Peace Forum
    Tel: 020 7288 8396. Mobile: 07530 256 063

Delegation of MPs

  • José Joaquín Camelo Ramos (Partido Liberal), Coordinator.
  • Gloria Stella Díaz Ortiz (Movimiento MIRA)
  • Hernando Hernández Tapasco (Polo Democrático Alternativo)
  • Juan Carlos Martínez Gutiérrez (Partido de la U)
  • Mercedes Rincón Espinel (Cambio Radical)

Further Information

London Forum – Sunday 19 May – event flyer

Online registration for the public participation event

Convening organisations in London:

  • ABColombia
  • Conciliation Resources
  • Justice for Colombia
  • Mesa Permanente por la Paz
  • Rodeemos el Diálogo
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Conciliation Resources is an independent, international peacebuilding organisation working with people in conflict to prevent violence and build peace. With 16 years’ experience of working internationally to prevent violent conflict, we make a commitment to be there for as long as we’re needed to provide advice, support and practical resources. We work with partners – local and international civil society organisations and governments - in Africa, Asia, Europe, Latin America and the Pacific. In addition, we take what we learn to government decision-makers and others working to end conflict. 
 
Conciliation Resources is funded through grants from governments, multilateral agencies, independent trusts and foundations. Conciliation Resources is a registered UK charity (1055436).