Session in cooperation with IKV/ Pax Christi, The Netherlands

 

 

Local governments in various parts of Colombia encounter great problems in providing a peaceful environment for their citizens. On a daily base, they cope with confrontations with illegal armed groups that form a serious threat to local democracy and to the human security in the municipalities. Local governments (and their associations) can fulfill a meaningful role in peacebuilding. Furthermore, local governments from abroad can help their Colombian partners in dealing with their daily problems, by providing expertise, showing solidarity, waking up the international community and national governments, etc.

The session will focus on the question how to express international solidarity with local government representatives under threat. The following elements are discussed:
- political lobby (also towards central government)
- exchange of knowledge
- local peace initiatives and humanitarian dialogue
- positive and negative effects of financial support

Solidarity actions can result in the following:
- increase of civil resistance against the conflict. This has a positive effect on the human safety situation in the municipalities
- strengthening of local democracy with regard to good governance, peacebuilding and respect for human rights
- possible decrease of the influence of illegal armed groups and criminal groups on local democracy structures.

The session will be a platform where Colombian local government representatives can explain what action they need from their international counterparts. At the same time, local government representatives from abroad can elaborate on what they can offer to their Colombian colleagues, in relation to their own experiences (for example in el Salvador).

Moderator
Jesus Maria Ramirez, Secretary of the Interior of the Medellín Municipality, Colombia

Speakers
Gilberto Toro, Executive Director Federación Colombiana de Municipios

Carlos Andrés Betancur, Mayor of Jambaló, Mayor of Jambaló, Colombia

Enelia Salinas Chivatá, Mayor of Caldono, Colombia

Gilberto Munoz Coronado, Mayor of Corinto, Colombia

Report Pax Christi

 

Local democracy, the tie that binds us city diplomacy for peace-building in the northern part of the Cauca, Colombia by Andrés Paz Ramos
and Marianne Moor (out of the book on city diplomacy which will be presented during the conference )