On 9 November 2023, an institution with a worldwide presence called Global Alliance for Ministries & Infrastructures for Peace (GAMIP), presented the innovative “Feasibility proposal for the creation of a Ministry of Peace for Colombia” at a Public Hearing in the House of Representatives and Senators – and in the presence of civil society delegations from Colombia.
Guido Asencio Gallardo*
This is a global initiative developed by a group of experts and academics from this institution, whose authors represent countries including Colombia, Chile, Mexico, Argentina and Canada.
The nationality of each of the experts is highlighted in order to emphasise the diversity of visions, making it a multidisciplinary proposal that aims to make a global impact. GAMIP is an internationally renowned institution endorsed by the United Nations that aims to develop Ministries and Infrastructures for Peace in the world. It works on issues related to the defence of human rights, conflict resolution, education for the construction of cultures of peace, citizenship and the recognition of cultural diversity. It is a global community of campaigns and actions by civil society, universities and research centres, independent professionals of different profiles, organisations and governmental institutions.
The ways to guarantee a Total Peace for Colombia have been under discussion for some time now, and even the executive power itself has proposed promoting measures to place respect for life and dignity for all at the centre.
The Final Report of the Truth Commission itself, among its recommendations, mentions the creation of a “Ministry of Peace and Reconciliation that leads the implementation and articulates the institutions, programmes and policies oriented towards the recognition of victims, the conditions of coexistence and trust between citizens and between citizens and the state…”
The proposal for a Ministry of Peace contains a state-of -the-art of peace infrastructures in the world, the adaptation it should have in the Colombian context, alternative forms of financing and a proposal for the articles of the law. This connects directly with the career of Public Administration, since the creation of a ministry requires knowledge of the organisation and structure of public institutions.
It is a proposal that argues that a Ministry of Peace contributes not only to its implementation in Colombia, but also that it can be a form of organisation of peace infrastructures in the Latin American region, with the aim of building a peaceful, supportive and harmonious culture which can provide sustainable guarantees for the peoples of the region.
There are many arguments that justify the need for a responsible and permanent infrastructure, which does not mean ‘more bureaucracy’, as some have tried to portray it in some instances. It is a proposal that requires the rearticulation of existing institutions that can establish a single organic structure, capable of being the communicating vessel between networks. And doing this from the point of view of civil society, from the academic world, private institutions, among others that exist today for peacebuilding, where it is important that governments can convincingly install agendas in favour of a viable organisation.
In short, the feasibility proposal provides citizens and decision-makers with an investigation into the sufficient and pressing conditions that can be met to achieve peace and justify the creation of a ministry, where the parties involved can look for other alternatives. However, it would require a collective awareness of the need to heal and address a social problem that needs a reasonable political will for peaceful coexistence that can serve as an example for Latin America and other countries that are unfortunately at war today.
*Guido Asencio Gallardo: Académico y Consultor para instituciones de educación, administración pública y gobiernos de Latinoamérica. guido.asencio@gmail.com.
(Translated by Rene Phelvin – Email: renephelvin@gmail.com) – Photos: Pixabay
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