Channels, Fall 2018

Page 46 Holm • A Call to Peace Conciliation Resources, the fact that Colombia recognized LGBTI citizen as valid stakeholders in the peace process probably made Colombia the first country to address the rights of the LGBTI community in peace negotiations ( Herbolzheimer, 2016 ). Another interest group that was heavily involved in the Colombian peace process was the Catholic Church. In the years 1998-2001, 2003, and 2006, local Colombian priests mediated between the various guerilla groups and the Colombian government. In 1998, some German Catholic priests helped mediate the conflict. Pope John Paul II himself was heavily invested in the peace process, as exemplified by his visit in 1986 and his continual calls for peace ( Johnstone, & Svensson, 2013 ). The Bishops Conference, known as Caritas, has developed various documents as well as peace initiatives. One of their most visible initiative was the Week for Peace ( Henao, G. & Fabio, H. 2015 ). Launched in 1987 and continuing through the peace process, this initiative sought to draw the public’s attention to the issues facing peace in Colombia and create a period for both sides to make progress in their peace discussions ( Henao, G. & Fabio, H. 2015 ). Additionally, the Catholic Church, as well as the United Nations and Universidad Nacional, was appointed to organize regional events, that allowed victims to have an input on the peace negotiations. These events were attended by 3,162 victims and 4,617 victims’ organizations, and the parties received 22,146 proposals from them (Maldonado, 2017). The Colombian peace process benefited from the involvement of various other countries. Cuba acted as the neutral host of the peace talks and a guarantor country. Norway also acted as a guarantor country, meaning its job was to ensure that the rules established in the framework were followed. Chile and Venezuela played the role of observing countries. Furthermore, the United States, Germany, and the Vatican appointed special envoys to the peace process (Maldonado, 2017). The individuals most involved in the Colombian peace process were members of the conflicting parties. Each side of the conflict could appoint up to ten delegates. FARC’s delegation was led by its second-in-command, Ivan Marquez, and was entirely composed of combatants. The Colombian government’s delegation was chosen to reflect the two key stakeholders: the private and security sectors. As such, the delegation contained one retired general from the armed forces, and one from the police, one prominent business leader, who accompanied the chief negotiator, Humberto de la Calle, and the peace commissioner, Sergio Jaramillo ( Herbolzheimer, 2016). At first glance, the Northern Irish peace process and the Colombian peace process may not seem to have much in common. The following table shows a statistical comparison of the two countries.