Many societies in Latin America are plagued by a mix of lingering post-war violence and new forms of social rupture that arise from organised crime and social fragmentation and that local governments, international organisations and regional groupings are ill-prepared to deal with. By applying our understanding of systemic analysis and our expertise in mediation and dialogue processes, we provide hands-on support on the ground, particularly in the fields of process facilitation and joint learning.
Informal advice and exchange, along with various events, publications and support in strategy-development provided to local and international organisations, complement and link our current projects. In that vein, we have supported the Peace Commissions of the Colombian Congress during an information and consultation meeting with Colombian expatriates in Berlin. We have also advised and facilitated the development of the country strategy of the Civil Peace Service (CPS) in Colombia and Guatemala and their partner organisations.
Also, we have investigated the Colombian case in the context of our conceptual exploration and discussion of peace infrastructures. Furthermore, projects run by our Non-State Actors in Conflict Transformation programme have included Colombia as a country case (see Inclusive Political Settlements and Security Transition Processes). Peace Counts on Tour has also been to Colombia.
Trainings and advice were also provided in Mexico, Ecuador and Peru. Furthermore, the Berghof Foundation co-initiated the Colombia Group in the Mediation Support Network.