INTERNATIONAL SYMPOSIUM - February 10 - 12, 2005

Symposium summaries and transcripts will be available May 2005

Peace is today an urgent priority for both the government and the people of Colombia. In this context, the concept of restorative
justice is gaining recognition as a hopeful new strategy.

The goal of restorative justice is to achieve a lasting peace by engaging opposing parties in a positive resolution of their conflict through forgiveness, reparation of damage and reconciliation. In the words of Archbishop Desmond Tutu, restorative justice is not about retribution or punishment, but rather it is “the healing of breaches, the redressing of imbalances and the restoration of broken relationships" [1] in an effort to rehabilitate both perpetrators, victims and the community.

For the past fifty years, Colombia has endured a low intensity conflict that escalated sharply with the narco-traffic boom of the 80’s. Chronically weak and corrupt governments have had to deal with guerilla, paramilitary and narco-terrorist groups simultaneously, resulting in 25,000 deaths per year and millions of internally displaced people living under constant threat.

The International Symposium

In response to a unique historical moment in Colombia when the Colombian Congress is in the process of reforming the penal code, a coalition of foundations, international and local experts are convening an International Symposium on Restorative Justice and Peace in February of 2005. The Symposium will be held in Cali, Colombia at the Universidad Javeriana. Five hundred people are expected to attend.

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GOALS AND OUTCOMES

The Symposium seeks to contribute to the conflict resolution and peaceful settlement of the grievances that continue to tear apart Colombian society. It will do this by raising awareness of the principles of restorative justice and exploring its possible applications.

Key questions will include:

· What restrictions or constraints prevent the adoption of
restorative justice concepts in the Colombian legal frame-work?

· What are the legal and political ramifications of establishing a truth
and reconciliation commission in Colombia?

· What are the existing local models of alternative justice in
Colombia? From what international models can Colombia
enhance it's current initiatives?

· What can we learn from alternative justice systems currently in
place within the indigenous communities of Colombia?

· How do we apply the concepts of restorative justice to youth programs
in local urban settings and other groups?