Transition Initiatives: Colombia
Program Summary: November 2000
In August 1998, following 50 years of conflict, the Colombian government initiated a peace process with armed insurgent groups. President Pastrana, who was elected on a platform of bringing peace to Colombia, represented a major contrast to the corrupt tenure of the previous president, who had open ties to the drug barons. Pastrana's election was seen as a window of opportunity for peace. Although the process has proven long and arduous, President Pastrana is committed to formal negotiations with both the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) and the National Liberation Army (ELN).
| 1/99 |
9/01 |
$1,095,000 |
$980,367 |
OTI's program in Colombia began in January 1999. Recognizing that civil society has a particularly important role to play in the promotion of peace, OTI designed its program to open lines of communication and foster dialogue among the government, civil society, and neglected communities. OTI is working with U.S. and Colombian universities to help the government of Colombia (GOC) establish a framework for permanent and peaceful resolution of the conflict. In its role as facilitator, OTI, with U.S. Embassy and USAID Mission support, has provided the first tangible U.S. government support to Colombia's peace process.
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| Over 180 children, like those pictured here, have received scholarships through an OTI-funded program. The scholarships keep them in school and reduce their chances of recruitment into armed factions. In addition to putting them out of harm's way, the schools provide educational and vocational alternatives to fighting. |
Another focus of OTI's involvement in Colombia has been to strengthen democracy through community-based programs. The projects bring together local elected officials and other influential individuals with members of the local community to assess the priority infrastructure needs, such as schools, health centers, roads or clean water. With OTI's assistance, the community works together to design and implement the project, filling basic needs while building participatory, democratic processes.
OTI, through the Salesian Missions, also supports a revolving loan fund that provides $200 to $300 loans to rural craftsmen, farmers, and entrepreneurs. These small loans have resulted in new job opportunities and more stable income for some of Colombia's most vulnerable populations.
The Salesian program has added a scholarship component designed to rescue children from forced and voluntary recruitment into insurgent forces. The scholarships benefit students in grades 8-11, whose families lack resources to keep them in school. These families, who live in rebel-controlled areas, can bring children to the Salesian-run schools to escape their conscription.
This year, OTI increased its support to NGOs involved in the peace process at both the local and national level. A "Peace Fund" grant-making mechanism was developed with the International Office of Migration (IOM) that provides seed money to local Colombian organizations attempting to facilitate dialogue and bring an end to violent conflict.
"They [OTI] are critical for this country."
-- Colombian President Andres Pastrana, asked to comment on OTI's activities by the U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for Western Hemispheric Affairs. |
In addition to the agencies listed above, OTI's partners in Colombia include the U.S. Embassy, the USAID Mission, the International Committee of the Red Cross, the Pan-American Development Foundation, the GOC's High Commissioner for Peace, other GOC agencies, the Colombian Episcopal Conference, the World Bank, and all major UN agencies operating in Colombia.
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