Thursday 22nd of December 2016, PazAlaCalle Benefit. Open dialogue: Peacebuilding in Colombia post conflict: A review from different perspectives. Volkseten Vegazulu, 7pm.
Colombian peace deal and its endorsement
In the last 52 years Colombia has suffered from an armed conflict between their government and several groups of rebels. Among these groups is FARC-EP (Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia – People’s Army). In the last 30 years FARC and the Colombian government have tried twice to solve the conflict through dialogue, unfortunately without the desired result. On the 5th of August 2014 the Colombian government, led by President Juan Manuel Santos, and the guerillas officially announced that new peace talks would be undertaken in Havana, Cuba. After four years of intense negotiations the world witnessed the signing of a historical peace agreement on the 26th of September 2016.
The peace agreement was rejected by more than the half of people in Colombia through referendum. The referendum showed the country heavily divided as inhabitants of areas where FARC had more impact supported the agreement while areas less impacted by the conflict did not. Finally, last 30th of November Colombian Congress endorsed a modified agreement worked by the negotiation team, it took into account in a big portion the disagreements of the “no” defenders.
Peace to the Street Movement
Realizing the possible disastrous consequences of the rejection, a popular movement evolved that demanded the FARC and the government to continue the negotiations, while taking into account the arguments of the people who voted “No” and effectively achieve an end of the conflict. Part of this popular movement was Peace to the Street that organized discussions on the streets, trying to overcome differences between both sides by focusing on the common desire for peace. In the current scenario where the Peace Agreement has been endorsed, the movement looks forward to actively monitoring its implementation.
Open Dialogue
In this context the members of Peace to the Street – The Netherlands want to organize an open dialogue which will allow the movement to maintain the political discussions in the conjuncture of process of peace in Colombia, it also will represent an opportunity to formulate other initiatives in order contribute to the social mobilization.
The conversation are going to discuss about the following points:
* Peacebuilding perspectives addressed by three topics: FARC political participation; issues related with post-conflict
*Communication approaches and mass media contribution to peacebuilding
Volkseten Vegazulu is a people’s kitchen, every monday and thursday, all year long. Door opens at 7pm. Vegan food for 4€ or donation. All benefits go for social & political struggles. No reservation. In July and August, the people’s kitchen is closed on thursday.
We’re always looking for cooks. Any help is welcome in the kitchen. Experience not required. Enjoying it is a must. If you want to know which days are still available in the schedule, send an email to joe [at] squat [dot] net and book yourself the night. You can, of course, also participate by rolling up your sleeves and doing the dishes.
