You are cordially invited to join the Washington Office on Latin America (WOLA) and the George Washington University’s Latin America & Hemispheric Studies Program to a conference with leading Colombian analysts and experts on the peace process and the future of post-accord Colombia

Panel 1
9:15AM-11:00AM
Coca: What to do about it?

Bo Mathiasen,
Representative in Colombia,
UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC)

Juan Carlos Garzón V.
Associate Researcher, Ideas for Peace Foundation

Pedro Arenas,
Coordinator, Observatory of Crops and Cultivators Declared Illicit (OCDI)

11:00AM-11:15AM
Break

Panel 2
11:15AM-1:00PM
Reintegrating Ex-Combatants into Civilian Life

Ariel Ávila*,
Deputy Director, Peace and Reconciliation Foundation (via Skype)

Maria Eugenia Mosquera*,
Communities Building Peace in the Territories (CONPAZ) (via Skype)

Mariano Aguirre,
Senior Peacebuilding Advisor, Office of United Nations Resident
and Humanitarian Coordinator in Colombia

Victoria Sandino*,
Alternative Common Revolutionary Force (FARC) (via Skype)

1:00PM-2:00PM
Lunch

Speaker: Jared Kotler,
Team leader for Colombia, United Nations Department of Political affairs

Panel 3
2:00-3:45
Transitional Justice and Victims

Juan Méndez,
Professor of Human Rights Law in Residence, American University Washington College of Law
Member of Selection Committee to Appoint Magistrates of the Special Jurisdiction for Peace and Truth Commission

Carolina Villadiego B.,
Director of Judicial System Thematic Line, DeJusticia

Ariel Palacios,
Representing the Afro-Colombian Peace Council (CONPA) and Ethnic Commission,
Coordinator of political and legislative advocacy, National Conference of Afro-Colombian Organizations (CNOA)

9 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Monday, October 16, 2017
The George Washington University
City View Room
1957 E Street NW, 7th Floor

Nearly a year ago, Colombia’s government and the FARC guerrilla group signed a historic peace accord ending 52 years of fighting. The FARC has since disarmed, a ceasefire has largely held, and talks have begun with the smaller ELN guerrillas.

Implementing the November 2016 accord, though, may be harder than negotiating it was. Progress on many fronts has been halting and frustrating. Three panels on October 16 will discuss aspects of Colombia’s post-accord reality, determining what is running well, what needs to be “hacked,” and what may need a total reboot.

Each panel will last one hour and forty-five minutes. There will be a 45-minute lunch address. A simple lunch will be provided. Simultaneous translation will be available.

*U.S. visa processing complications will prevent three panelists from presenting in person.