Building Peace After Conflict - Lessons from Colombia

How can sustainable peace be built after decades of violent conflict? In 2016, the Colombian government and the FARC guerrilla movement signed a historic peace agreement that established one of the most comprehensive transitional justice systems worldwide. At its core lies the Special Jurisdiction for Peace, which addresses conflict-related crimes through restorative and participatory mechanisms and ensures the meaningful involvement of affected communities.

In this lecture, Dr. César Serrano from the United Nations Verification Mission in Colombia offers insights into the everyday realities of implementing the peace agreement. What role do national institutions, local communities, and international actors play? And what lessons can be drawn for peace processes in other conflict-affected regions?