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Supporting the National Focal Group and Inter-sector Commission

Through collaboration with governmental organisations, Fungamma have been successful in identifying the key issues surrounding firearms in Colombia, and have established a plan of action to help eradicate their transport, possession, and use.

Description

As a way to address the problem of firearms in Colombia, and its close relation to the armed conflict, a group of governmental organisations specialising in this field gathered to discuss the situation, propose changes, suggestions, reforms and solutions. The result was a collectively written Colombian National Report for the Biennial Meeting of States (BMS-2005) of United Nations.

The work was carried out with the 17 members of the Commission during 2004 and 2005, prior to the BMS UN meeting.

Principle activities carried out by the Commission:

2004:

Training workshops:

2005:

Talks by two people from the Commission specialising in security and defense:

Principle activities carried out with High Authorities:

Aims / Objectives

Long Term:

To strengthen the organisations of the Inter-sectoral Commission so that they can implement strategies that allow for:

Short Term:

How it is Articulated

The process began in March of 2003. Fungamma's first contact was with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the institution in charge of the constitution and coordination of the Inter-sectoral Commission. During the first workshop, each one of the 10 governmental organisations made a diagnosis about the issues relating to firearms handling. Each governmental organisation finished with an Action Plan to overcome the difficulties that arose and satisfy their individual and group needs. This Action Plan served as a guide for Fundación Gamma Idear, so that with the technical and economical support of the British Government, they would be able to respond to the problems and needs of the governmental organisations and the Commission.

The following is a more detailed description of how this was done:

Achievements / Learning Points

Main Achievement:

Fundación Gamma Idear are very proud of the innovative experiences gained through this initiative, in which 17 civil servants of 10 governmental organisations related with the issue of firearms in Colombia, worked towards its solution. They participated in a meeting over 4 days in Paipa, Boyacá, with the aim of collectively writing the Colombian National Report for the Biennial Meeting of States (BMS-2005) of United Nations. This shows a big commitment at a governmental level, with the interaction and organisation of civil servants and organisations working for a common purpose.

In this meeting they openly discussed the role of each one of the organisations, and detailed the advancement of the country on its Action Programme against the production and illicit traffic of firearms, ammunitions and explosives. The direction and methodology was overseen by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The result was a significant achievement of coordinated group work, which demonstrates the significant progress of the Commission. Fundación Gamma Idear proposed the meeting, and with the help of the British Government it covered all its expenses, and managed both the logistics and the accompanying process. They were able to witness the cooperative spirit and synchronicity of “real” group work between the 17 members of all the 10 governmental organisations, who additionally sourced information from the offices of Bogotá, so as to contribute to the National Report for the meeting of BMS-UN-2005.

Learning Points:

The organisation has learnt that an organised civil society is very important in the implementation of a plan of action such as this. The reason for this is that it is easier, more efficient, and more legitimate when a large sector of society can gather and participate in such a relevant issue, allowing dialogue and agreement on different points based on an attitude of tolerance and respect. Fungamma have been supported in their learning through the significant experiences of organisations such as SaferAfrica, BICC-TRESA, GRIP and many others, that have technically supported their efforts. The results of this experience has lead Fungamma to affirm that it is possible to establish a new way of relating between governmental organisations, civil society, and NGOs, with the aim to strengthening an enriching their overall capacity for working towards sustainable peace and security.

During this initiative, experience has shown that the members of the group responsible for the implementation of any action plan with international mandates, start with an ignorance of who must implement it. This becomes an obstacle to carrying out the plan in an adequate and efficient way.

There is a gap between international and national structures, both political, economic, and legal. Only collaborative and permanent work between both structures will guarantee a sustainable, successful outcome. This gap also exists between the international and national constituencies of a State. In the same way, long-term, collaborative work is required between constituencies if success is to be realised.

Geographical Area of Operation

Colombia at a national level, as all the governmental organisations have a national character (Ministries, Departments, etc.).

Funding Resources

Organisations Involved

Fundación Gamma Idear with technical and/or economic support of:

Participants:

Stories

Stories from this initiative can be accessed from a publication of UNDP-Colombia in the section of Buenas Prácticas