Conflict

Conflict case studies - South America

Colombia

Colombia has long suffered from low-level violence associated with over 50 years of civil conflict. In the past 15 years the drug trade has increasingly influenced the conflict and violence has intensified dramatically, particularly affecting the civilian population. This study presents a framework for conceptualising the many types of violence in Colombia, the impact of violence and strategies for peace.

Moser, C., 1999, 'Violence in Colombia: Building Sustainable Peace and Social Capital', A World Bank Country Study
A World Bank study of violence in Colombia tries to assess the country's fundamental problem of violence by evaluating its causes and costs, and past and recent interventions to address the problem. Although there have been many interventions to address violence in Colombia, the study concluded that many were piecemeal, uncoordinated, and lacked national direction.
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This report details the engagement of Colombian civil society in peace and development objectives despite the high and rising risks faced by civilians. 

Bouvier, V.M., 2004, 'Civil Society Under Siege in Colombia', Special Report 114, United States Institute of Peace, Washington, D.C.
How can the US facilitate conflict resolution in Colombia? Peace today appears to be more elusive than ever. US engagement in Colombia has been steadily growing, and it now has more troops and civilian contractors on the ground than ever before. This United States Institute of Peace report evaluates the effects of conflict on civil society and seeks to encourage discussion of the US role. It advocates support for human rights, the rule of law, a political negotiation of the conflict, development efforts and local peace initiatives.
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This special edition contains a number of perspectives on peace processes and alternatives to war in Colombia.

García-Durán, M., 2004, 'Alternatives to War: Colombia's Peace Processes', Accord: An International Review of Peace Initiatives, vol 14, Conciliation Resources, London
Over the last 25 years, there have been numerous efforts to find a negotiated solution to the Colombian conflict that has taken a horrific toll on the civilian population. Can lessons be learned from Colombia’s long history of peacemaking experience in order to formulate a viable model for a future peace? Compiled for Accord, this paper presents an overview of various peace initiatives and concludes that a peaceful resolution is possible if this process is negotiated, integral and participatory.
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