Supporting the National Inter-Sectoral Commission

Gammar Idear supported Colombia's National Inter-Sectoral Commission in producing their report on the country's small arms situation for the UN Biennial Meeting of States.

Description

During an innovative and probably unique experience, seventeen officials from the ten governmental organisations with responsibility for resolving Colombia's firearms problem formed the National Inter-Sectoral Commission and attended a four day Total Immersion Meeting in Paipa, Boyacá. They met in order to write jointly the Colombia report to the United Nations Biennial Meeting of States (BMS-2005). The BMS sessions give governments an opportunity to report internationally on the progress of their attempts to implement the UN Programme of Action on small arms.

The International Affairs Ministry took responsibility for the direction and methodology of the meeting, which produced rapid results. Gamma Idear was at the meeting and were impressed by the collaborative spirit of the GOs, who made every effort to solicit additional information from their principals in Bogotá in order to make the report a success.

Aims / Objectives

Gamma Idear’s overall aims in working with the Inter-Sectoral Commission are:

• to enhance the capacity of law agencies to implement and strengthen legislation;
• to prepare domestic programmes to encourage the responsible handling of firearms, voluntary surrender of weapons and transparent control of arms trading;
• to establish a universal of effective regional controls;
• to implement proactive policies and measures to reduce demand for arms.

The specific role of Gamma Idear in these processes is:

• to establish informal and formal consultation with the Commission to work out necessary areas of joint action between the GOs and civil society;
• to offer the Commission capacity building services to assist its work;
• to establish the principal training needs of professionals working in the Commission;
• to train key GO personnel as a way of strengthening the Commission.
  
  

How it is Articulated

The project has been relatively long, having begun in March 2003. Gamma Idear’s first contact was with the Foreign Affairs Ministry, which was responsible for convening and coordinating the Inter-Sectoral Commission. During the first workshop, the ten GOs identified the problems facing their own organisations and the Commission as a whole, as well as producing an Action Plan to overcome the principal difficulties and to address the individual and group needs. Gamma Idear used this Action Plan as a guide in planning its response to the GOs’ and Commission’s needs and problems.

Achievements / Learning Points

The project numbers the following among its achievements:

• building knowledge and confidence between GOs themselves and between GOs and NGOs;
• helping national GOs to understand and engage with Colombia’s international commitments;
• financing relevant postgraduate studies for GO professionals;
• conducting five training workshops and conferences for people from arms-related GOs in Colombia (in conjunction with Grip, Andean Community, SaferAfrica, OAS etc.);
• providing information and training to parliamentarians;
• attending inter-sectoral meetings between GOs and NGOs to interchange information and understanding.
  
  

Funding Resources

SaferAfrica (2003-2004); British Government (1st semester 2005); Gamma Idear Foundation's own resources (2003-2005).

Geographical Area of Operation

Bogotá DC, with workshops in small cities near Bogotá.

Associated Organisations

• Disarmament Coordinator – International Affairs Ministry
• Security Director – INDUMIL (Military Industry)
• Juridical Assessor – DCCA (Department of Arms Trade Control)
• International Affairs Director Assessor – Fiscalía General de la Nación
• Juridical Code Professional – Interior and Justice Ministry
• International Affairs Professional – DIAN (National Taxes)
• Assessor – CTI (Fiscalía General de la Nación)
• Investigations Coordinator – INTERPOL
• Import Committee Assessor – Industry and Commerce Ministry
• Disarmament Coordination Secretary – International Affairs Ministry
• Intelligence Officer, Light Arms Analyst – INTERPOL
• Juridical Office Professional – INDUMIL (Military Industry)
• Disarmament Coordinator – International Relations Ministry
• Customs Overseeing Sub-director Assessor – DIAN (National Taxes)
• DCCA Chief –Defence Ministry.