After 50 years of conflict, the Colombian government is negotiating with the largest guerrilla movement in Colombia and may soon negotiate with other guerrilla movements. One key negotiating point might be the fate of Colombia’s growing extractive industries sector. As foreign companies profit off of Colombia’s natural resources, how can policies ensure that the wealth stays in Colombia and benefits communities? As the global community grapples with how to address climate change, what policies does Colombia need to ensure its extractive industries do not contribute to climate change and can in fact mitigate its worst impacts?

Speakers:

• Fernando Hernández, Director of Corporación Arco Iris
• José Aristizábal, Coordinator of the Observatory on the Conflict and Post-conflict of the Corporación Nuevo Arco Iris

Opening Remarks by John Cavanagh, Director of the Institute for Policy Studies
Moderated by Chloe Schwabe, Faith Economy Ecology Program Director of Maryknoll Office for Global Concerns

Corporación Nuevo Arco Iris was founded in 1996 as a result of the peace agreement between the Government of Colombia and the Corriente de Renovación Socialista. Since then Corporación Nuevo Arco Iris has become a recognized center for research and analysis in Colombia, especially in the area of political analysis and the politics of peace and war. Its work is driven by the aim of attaining a modern democracy for Colombia and a more just and inclusive country for Colombians.

This delegation has been organized and coordinated by the Colombia Human Rights Committee, based in Washington DC and working since 1981 for human rights, peace, and justice in Colombia.