The US Institute of Peace (USIP), an independent institution specializing in international conflict, on Monday launched a two-day conference regarding the ongoing peace negotiations between rebel group FARC and the Colombian government.
Peace talks between the government and guerrilla group began in November 2012 on the basis of a five-point peace agenda. An agreement was reached in May regarding the first item on the agenda – rural agrarian development – while discussions revolving around the second item on the agenda – political participation – continue.
The conference, entitled “Colombia Peace Forum: Pending Issues on the Peace Agenda”, will focus on the final three items of the agenda, DDR (Disarmament, demobilisation and reintegration), a solution to the problem of illicit drugs, and the rights of the victims.
“This one-and-a-half day public conference will convene former and current Jennings Randolph peace scholars and senior fellows, as well as numerous USIP grantees, to focus on the final three issues on Colombia’s peace agenda,” the USIP website explains.
“The forum will offer these, and other leading experts on Colombia, an opportunity to exchange ideas with policymakers and the general public on the topics of the current negotiations [which are being held] in Cuba.”
The conference will be streamed online, and can be found at http://www.usip.org/current-usip-webcast.
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