Event Recap: Colombia, A Forgotten Conflict?

On Tuesday, May 19, Fight for Humanity co-organized a panel discussion entitled “Colombia: A Forgotten Conflict? Truth, Reconciliation, and Local Initiatives” together with the Geneva Peacebuilding Platform, DCAF – Geneva Centre for Security Sector Governance, and the City of Geneva. Bringing together more than 40 participants both in person and online, the event explored Colombia’s current peacebuilding challenges, ongoing reconciliation efforts, and the essential role of locally led initiatives in supporting sustainable peace.

Dr. Anyssa Bellal, Executive Director of the Geneva Peacebuilding Platform, introduced the event alongside M. Alfonso Gomez, Mayor of Geneva. In his remarks, M. Gomez explained that events like these are important roundtables for academic and diplomatic exchange, and those who participate—activists, diplomats, and humanitarian workers—are those who possess “the necessary courage to break cycles of violence.”

Ambassador Gustavo Gallón from the Permanent Mission of Colombia in Geneva opened the panel discussion by providing historical and political context on the Colombian conflict and its continued impact in regions such as Cauca. Highlighting the disproportionate effects of violence on women, Indigenous peoples, and Afro-Colombian communities, he underlined the importance of maintaining peacebuilding efforts despite ongoing insecurity. He also stressed that, while the security situation has deteriorated in some regions, it remains significantly different from the levels of violence experienced before the 2016 Peace Agreement. “Peace must remain Colombia’s principal priority,” Ambassador Gallón stated. “We must continue these efforts precisely at a moment when many fundamental questions surrounding the conflict remain unresolved.”

Enric Gonyalons, Senior Manager at DCAF, then presented DCAF’s work supporting the implementation of the 2016 Peace Agreement, notably through collaboration with the Colombian National Police and UNIPEP, the police unit dedicated to supporting implementation of the peace accords. He notably discussed initiatives aimed at strengthening gender-sensitive approaches within security institutions and highlighted the importance of trust-building between communities and security actors. 

Joining remotely from Colombia, Mabel Andrade, Director of the women-led organization Gestos de Paz, spoke about the current realities faced by communities in Cauca and the organization’s ongoing peacebuilding work at the local level. She highlighted the persistence of violence, forced displacement, and child recruitment by armed groups, while also emphasizing the resilience of local communities and civil society actors. Between 2022 and 2025 alone, she noted, 750 Indigenous children were recruited by armed groups in Cauca, while 13 cases of collective forced displacement were recorded in the department. Andrade stressed the importance of supporting “a vibrant Colombian civil society composed of women, youth, Indigenous and peasant communities” committed to promoting peace and coexistence despite extremely difficult conditions. 

Throughout the event, speakers highlighted the importance of maintaining international attention on the situation in Colombia at a time when other global crises increasingly dominate the international agenda. Discussions also emphasized that sustainable peace and reconciliation efforts must remain inclusive and involve the voices of women, youth, Indigenous and Afro-Colombian communities, displaced populations, and those living in exile.

If you weren’t able to join us, but would still like to listen to the panel, please find a recording here.