Provisional programme Turbulence in peace processes: what next for Colombia? Wednesday 29 Friday 31 March 2017 WP1533 Context and rationale The Colombian peace agreement reached at the end of 2016 brought a fifty year-long conflict to an end. The agreement has striking innovative aspects that could hold lessons for other peace processes in the future, notably with regard to process-design, gender issues, and transitional justice. Although strongly criticised by important Colombian political figures, a policy of conducting negotiations (with military participation) while waging war, and vice versa, has been a very common feature of efforts to end internal conflict. It is now critical to discuss and debate among key Colombian and international policymakers, as well as other stakeholders, the benefits of the agreement and the importance of supporting it. The purpose of this forum is to learn from the process that resulted in a peace agreement in Colombia, have a debate about the challenges and priorities of peace implementation, and asses the role of international actors in supporting Colombia s post-accord scenario. The discussions will contribute to the dissemination of the agreement and explore options for gaining international and national political and public support. At a time when Colombia faces the opportunities and challenges of peace implementation, this forum will gather the views of Colombian and international diplomats, policymakers, scholars, activists and members of NGO and civil society organisations. The participatory format of the meeting, encompassing extended roundtable discussion during plenary sessions, plus substantial time spent in smaller breakout groups, will help generate fresh insights and analysis. It will be held on the basis of non-attributable discussion in a neutral environment designed to encourage open and constructive exchange. In association with NOREF Norwegian Centre for Conflict Resolution (Speakers invited and themes proposed ^ denotes expected, role in programme to be confirmed; * denotes to be confirmed) Wednesday 29 March 1300-1430 Participants arrive and buffet lunch available 1445-1500 Welcome and introduction Robert Grant Programme Director, Wilton Park, Steyning In association with: 270317 RG
Mariano Aguirre 1500-1700 1. The Colombian peace agreement: the domestic and international context What conditions and policies, both domestically and internationally, enabled the success of the agreement and the ability to renegotiate it after the referendum defeat? What are the sources and reasons for the political challenges to it, and how significant a threat do these represent? Sergio Jaramillo (via video link) High Commissioner for Peace in Colombia, Office of the President, Bogotá Iván Márquez (via video link) Head, FARC Peace Delegation, Havana Dag Nylander Former Special Envoy of the Norwegian Government to the Colombian Peace Process; Senior Adviser, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Oslo Eamon Gilmore EU Special Envoy for Peace in Colombia, European External Action Service (EEAS), Brussels 1700-1745 Photograph followed by tea/coffee 1745-1915 2. Key innovative elements of the peace agreement: process design, gender issues, and transitional justice What were the key conceptual and structural features of the Colombian peace process? How was the participation of women s organisations built into the negotiations, and what impact did this participation have? What are the major elements of the agreement s provisions on transitional justice? What role did victims play in the negotiation of these provisions? Are there lessons from these key features of how the agreement was negotiated that could be applied to the implementation phase? Which aspects of the Colombian peace process and agreement could potentially have wider applicability to other conflicts? Kristian Herbolzheimer Programme Director, Conciliation Resources, London Juanita Millan Adviser, High Commissioner for Peace, Military Forces of Colombia, Bogotá Juanita Goebertus Senior Associate, The Institute for Integrated Transitions, Bogotá 1915 Reception followed by dinner 1915 Wilton Park/NOREF briefing for session 5 chairs in the conference room Thursday 30 March 0800-0900 Breakfast 0900-1045 3. Implementation challenges: laying down weapons, reincorporation and transitional justice What is the current state of progress in the process of laying down weapons? What further steps are needed to continue the process as expeditiously as possible under the agreed
1045-1115 Tea/coffee timetable? What are the current major risks that could impede the process? In what ways could the government and FARC attempt to use the process of laying down weapons to reinforce support for the peace agreement? What are the overall strengths and weaknesses of the reincorporation provisions of the peace agreement? How can the early stages of the reincorporation programme be implemented so as to maximise support to the conclusion of the process of laying down arms? What measures has the National Reincorporation Council taken to date and what has the impact been of this activity? What are the major threats to successful implementation of the reincorporation programme? What are the most controversial elements of the provisions on transitional justice? Are there ways of addressing and mitigating some of these controversies through early implementation activities? What needs to happen to enable the Special Jurisdiction for Peace (SPJ) and the truth commission to get started as efficiently and effectively as possible? For all three of these areas, are there lessons from other peace processes that are potentially applicable to Colombia? Rodrigo Uprimny Professor and Researcher, University of Bogotá; Centre of Studies (Dejusticia), Bogotá Carlos Rojas Tirado Major General, Colombian Army, Bogotá *Imelda Daza Cotes Spokesperson, Voices for Peace, Congress of Colombia, Bogotá 1115-1300 4. Implementation challenges: land, drugs and security 1300-1430 Lunch Are there significant linkages and interaction between rural reform, illicit economies and security, and if so, of what nature? What are the highest priority actions for implementing rural reform, for developing alternatives to drug cultivation, and for preventing security vacuums that drug cartels and other illegal armed groups from Colombia, as well as neighbouring countries, can move into? What are the major obstacles to successfully taking these actions? Are there any sequencing issues to take into consideration between land reform, drug substitution and security, and ways of creating positive synergies between them? What role can the private sector play in the development of rural infrastructure and alternative livelihoods to drug cultivation? Are there lessons from other post conflict environments in the areas of land reform, developing alternatives to drug cultivation and maintenance of security that are potentially applicable to Colombia? Ivan Briscoe Programme Director, Latin America and the Caribbean, International Crisis Group (ICG), Bogotá Martin Jelsma Programme Director, Drugs and Democracy, Transnational Institute (TNI), Amsterdam Pontus Ohrstedt Head, Office Resident Coordinator, United Nations Mission in Colombia, Bogotá 1430 Wilton Park/NOREF Briefing for session 7 chairs in the conference room 1500-1630 5. Role playing breakout groups: perspectives and interests of key stakeholders Each group will role play a key stakeholder in the implementation of the peace agreement,
1630-1700 Tea/coffee discussing the perspectives and interests of its stakeholder. What does each stakeholder hope to achieve from the agreement? What are the major concerns of each stakeholder regarding implementation of the agreement? How would each one like to see its concerns addressed? Group one: the government Chair: Mabel González Group two: the FARC Chair: Alberto Lara Lozada Director, Social Development Group, Bogotá Group three: the opposition Chair: Ivan Briscoe Programme Director, Latin America and the Caribbean, International Crisis Group (ICG), Bogotá Group four: the security forces Chair: Calm Orlando Romero Reyes Delegate of the National Government in the Tripartite Mechanism of Monitoring and Verification of the Ceasefire and the Abandonment of Weapons, National Armada of Colombia, Bogotá Group five: victims Chair: Angela Cerón Lasprilla Occupational Therapist with Specialisation in Women and Gender, Women Initiative for Peace (IMP), Bogotá Group six: the private sector Chair: Maria Carolina Suarez Secretary General, Association of Business Foundations (AFE), Bogotá Group seven: civil society Chair: Louise Winstanley Programme and Advocacy Manager, ABColombia, London 1700-1830 6. Report back in plenary session from breakout groups 1845 Reception 1915 Conference dinner Each of the breakout groups will deliver approximately 5 minute summary reports of their conclusions and recommendations, followed by roundtable discussion on the interplay between the interests and concerns of the different stakeholders and integrated strategies for addressing them. Where are the major points of tension between the interests and concerns of the stakeholder groups, and how can they be addressed? 2045 Fireside chat (in the conference room) Kristian Herbolzheimer Programme Director, Conciliation Resources, London Priscilla Hayner Senior Mediator Adviser, United Nations Standby Team of Mediation Advisers, New York Rodrigo Uprimny Professor and Researcher, University of Bogotá and Centre of Studies 'Dejustica', Bogotá
Friday 31 March 0800-0900 Breakfast and checkout 0900-1100 7. Breakout groups on key implementation challenges 1100-1130 Tea/coffee Drawing on the insights from the preceding discussions, breakout groups will meet in parallel to assess options and make recommendations regarding implementation of provisions on laying down weapons and reintegration, rural reform, justice, and security. Group one: laying down weapons and reintegration into civilian life Chair: Anna Widepalm Project Manager Colombia, Folke Bernadotte Academy, Sandöverken Group two: rural reform Chair: Gimena Sánchez-Garzoli Senior Associate for the Andes, Washington Office on Latin America (WOLA), Washington DC Group three: transitional justice Chair: Priscilla Hayner Senior Mediator Adviser, United Nations Standby Team of Mediation Advisers, New York Group four: security Chair: Vicenç Fisas Peace Process Analyst, University of Barcelona, Sant Cugat 1130-1140 8. equestionnaire Completion of online equestionnaire 1140-1300 9. Report back from breakout groups and concluding discussion 1300 Lunch 1400 Participants depart This session will examine the outcomes of the breakout groups and how they fit together, as well as sum up the key takeaways from the conference discussions. Mariano Aguirre ^Gerson Arias Adviser, Office of the High Commissioner for Peace in Colombia, Bogotá This is a preview programme and as such may be subject to change. This is an invitation only conference. Enquiries about participation to: Sandry Koo, Project Manager T: +44 (0)1903 817765 F: +44 (0)1903 879231 E: sandry.koo@wiltonpark.org.uk Enquiries about the programme to: Robert Grant, Programme Director T: +44 (0)1903 817797 F: +44 (0)1903 879231 E: Robert.grant@wiltonpark.org.uk