Event: Public Dialogue on Peace and Reconciliation in Colombia (SOAS, 2/17/15)

Public Dialogue on Peace and Reconciliation in Colombia

17 February 2015: 18:00—20:00

Brunei Gallery Lecture Theatre, SOAS, University of London, Thornhaugh Street, London

The “Learning from Leaders” research project investigates how political leaders bridge the gap between elite-level national peace negotiations and peace and reconciliation efforts at the local level. This public dialogue examines the Colombia civil conflict, bringing together political leaders from different sides of the conflict. They will discuss (in a fluid dialogue format) their experiences within the Colombian peace process and lessons for the current context of talks between the Colombian government and the FARC rebel group.

Dialogue Chair: Dr. Andrei Suarez-Gomez is a researcher at the National Centre for Historical Memory in Colombia. He is also a member of the Sussex Centre for Conflict and Security Research (SCSR), Rodeemos el Diálogo (ReD), and founding member of British Academics for a Colombia Under Peace (BACUP).

Speaker: Rosa-Emilia Salamanca is a senior adviser and former executive director of Colombia’s Association of Interdisciplinary Work. She has worked with the National Women’s Network, participated in peace negotiations and attended the National Peace Assembly.

Speaker: Carlos Velandia is a former guerrilla fighter and former member of the national leadership of the National Liberation Army (ELN). After 10 years in prison and 7 years in exile he is now a peace activist in Colombia, and has published numerous articles on the Colombian peace process.

The event is free of charge; however, registration is required. To register, please email Richard Howarth at: rh53@soas.ac.uk.

The public dialogue forms part of the “Learning from Leaders” research project, led by Dr. Phil Clark, Department of Politics and International Studies, SOAS, University of London and is funded by the Fetzer Institute. Further public dialogues in this series will be held on Sri Lanka (5 June 2015), South Africa (date TBA) and Northern Ireland (date TBA).