Challenges in Colombia's Changing Security Landscape
CONPEACE Programme – “From Conflict Actors to Architects of Peace Programme” – , together with Bogota’s Rosario University, and the Simon Bolívar University in Cúcuta, organised a one-day, cross-stakeholder workshop in Bogotá prior to the presidential elections to discuss the changing security landscape in Colombia. The workshop brought together stakeholders from Colombia’s civil society (both urban and rural), the UNHCR and the UN Mission to Colombia (as representatives of the international community), the national government, and national and international academics. This article explores some of the most important insights from our debates. Three points were essential: first, our understanding of security issues can benefit greatly from employing human and citizen security lenses that go beyond mere military presence throughout the national territory; second, the peace process with the FARC is not reversible and the new government must continue efforts to create a stable peace; third, the national government can learn from the collective action and community organizing of civil society in marginalised regions to improve long-term, people-centred security.
