Programa de Investigación sobre Construcción de Paz (ConPaz)

This research programme aims to take the lessons learned about post-conflict peace-building in other conflict areas and apply them to Colombia whilst the Colombian conflict is still active.

Description

The programme grew out of an April 2002 effort to consider the implications of a post-conflict era in Colombia. This was co-ordinated within a working group sponsored by the Ideas for Peace Foundation (FIP) and the University of the Andes. The working group’s remit was to conceptualise peace-building in a general post-conflict era and to identify the key issues this implied for Colombia. The group also developed a peace-building research agenda based on the knowledge and experience of its participants, as well as extant literature.

Since September 2003 the University, its Social Science Faculty, and its Political Science Faculty have jointly financed the evolution of the project into its second phase. This has involved bringing the wider university community into the the initiative; identifying researchers interested in joining the inter-disciplinary project; and creating virtual space for discussion about the proposal. The group has also begun networking globally with institutions working around peace-building, and identifying potential national and international financial backers.

Areas of Research

Out of the many potential dimensions of any post-conflict situation, the programme has identified the following as particularly relevant to Colombia:

1. Demobilisation and reintegration of combatants.
2. Peace-building and security.
3. Transitional justice.
4. Consolidation of the rule of law.
5. Power sharing institutional arrangements.
6. Displacement and re-settlement.
7. Role of the private sector in peace-building.

For more information on these areas please visit: http://postconflicto.uniandes.edu.co (Spanish site) and see ‘Presentacíon’.

Aims / Objectives

The team of researchers has identified a need to create a research programme on topics related to post-conflict peace-building in Colombia, based in the political science faculty at the University of the Andes. The interdisciplinary program is centred around two themes: (i) challenges that Colombia will face during the post-conflict stage and (ii) planning action to meet these challenges, even actions that can be taken whilst the Colombian conflict is still an active one (as it currently is).The programme’s objectives are both academic and practical, and can be divided into three categories:

a) To generate and disseminate knowledge about peace-building in Colombia (and in similar conflicts) in co-operation with policy makers and other areas of civil society.

b) To encourage reseach projects into post-conflict phases and peace-building at the University of Andes that relate both to Colombia and other conflict areas.

c) To establish co-operative networks with other academic institutions, policy making bodies, and multilateral organizations involved in the post-conflict field at national and global levels.

How it is Articulated

The project works to disseminate research; to collate information around conflict and post-conflict phases; to conduct its own investigations; to offer consultancy to interested bodies; to offer teaching in this area; to produce academic publications; to organise workshops, conferences, seminars and round-table discussions; and to advise researchers and students during their theses.

A steering committee oversees the development and implementation of the programme. Committee members include:

• Francisco Leal (Ph.D. University of Wisconsin) Renowned sociologist, expert in conflict and security issues.
• Ann Mason (Ph.D. Yale University) Department Chair, expert in security, state authority, and alternative social orders.
• Carlo Nasi (Ph.D. University of Notre Dame) Director of graduate programmes in International Negotiation, and Conflict Theory and Resolution.
• Iván Orozco (Ph.D. University of Mainz, Germany), expert in the area of transitional justice.
• Angelika Rettberg (Ph.D. Boston University), Director of the Programme on Peacebuilding in Colombia, works on the role of the private sector in conflict and peacebuilding.

Achievements / Learning Points

International experience suggests that anticipating issues likely to be faced by a society coming out of conflict, or in the post-conflict phase is hugely important, and the programme's analysis supports this. It not only precipitates the end of the active fighting, but also helps to establish the foundations for a lasting peace.

 Further we believe that peace-building activities which take place as the armed conflict is in process can prevent the situation worsening, whilst also setting the framework of the post-conflict agenda, and helping to prepare for future challenges. Additionally, peace-building that takes place with an eye towards post-conflict society can contribute to the transformation of armed conflict.

 Finally, the research and study of other conflict areas has demonstrated that timely peace-building efforts during ongoing conflict are instrumental in attracting the international attention and aid. For these academic and practical reasons it is imperitive to begin thinking about the post-conflict era now, even though the conflict in Colombia shows little signs of abating.

Geographical Area of Operation

Colombia

Funding Resources

University of the Andes, the Faculty of Social Sciences.

 Other sources include: the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP); the World Bank, the International Development Research Centre (IDRC); International Alert (IA); the Colombian Institute for the Development of Science ad Technology (COLCIENCIAS); the Ideas for Peace Foundation (FIP); Centre of Investigations CESO (Centre of International and Socio-cultural Studies).

Organisations Involved

Ideas for Peace Foundation (FIP), International Alert (IA), International Development Research Centre (IDRC), World Bank, United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), Colombian Institute for the Development of Science ad Technology (COLCIENCIAS).