Ways Forward for Colombia's Peace Process: Latest Insights

Organized jointly with the Permanent Mission of Colombia to the United Nations in Geneva and the Swiss Federal Department of Foreign Affairs as part of the Geneva Peace Week

The peace process in Colombia has recently taken turns that few would have anticipated. On October 2, a narrow majority of Colombia’s electorate rejected the historic peace deal signed between their government and the FARC-EP. Just a few days later, and in spite of the plebiscite’s result, President Juan Manuel Santos was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for his “resolute efforts to bring the country’s civil war to an end”. Moreover, it has been announced that official negotiations with the ELN, the second largest armed group in Colombia, shall take place soon. What is next for Colombia’s peace process? Can the “No” vote turn into an opportunity for nationwide dialogue? What will the future negotiations with the FARC-EP, as well as with the ELN, look like? How can different actors in the country, including the government, the political opposition, armed groups, as well as civil society organizations contribute to saving the peace process?

Words of Introduction

Her Excellency Ms. Beatriz Londoño Soto
Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary, Permanent Representative of Colombia to the United Nations Office in Geneva

Her Excellency Ms. Sabrina Dallafior
Permanent Representative of Switzerland to the Conference on Disarmament
Deputy Permanent Representative of Switzerland to the UNOG

Moderator

Dr. Thania Paffenholz
Director of the Inclusive Peace and Transition Initiative at The Graduate Institute

Panelists

Alvaro Sierra
Colombian Journalist/Analyst

Carla Ruta
Programme Manager for Colombia at Geneva Call

Mia Schöb
PhD student in International Relations/Political Science, research focus on Colombia