Colombia

Extractivism, development and forced displacement in Colombia. Building knowledge networks and generating policy relevant knowledge

The Centre for Research on Latin American and Caribbean (CERLAC) and the Centre for Refugee Studies (CRS) at York University and the Pontificia Universidad Javeriana in Colombia propose to organize two activities (a workshop in Colombia and a report-back / coordination session in Canada) that will further the goals of a larger project: to rethink extractive industry development in Latin America in the context of economic growth and human rights. The workshop will focus on the impact of recent and expanding extractive industry (EI) development on involuntary displacement of local populations in Latin America. It will engage legal frameworks pertaining to human rights and economic development, with the aim of producing policy-relevant knowledge to inform policy makers, improve the well-being of displaced people, and maximize the social and economic benefit of development activities in the region. It will be hosted by the Law Faculty at Javeriana University in Bogotá in February 2013 and will include up to 30 scholars and students from Canadian, Colombian, Ecuadorian, and Peruvian research and non-governmental institutions – with a strong representation of legal scholars and practitioners.

The workshop will be followed by a visit to Canada of one of the Colombian participants, to report back on the findings of the workshop and coordinate with Canadian participants on next steps. Building on an existing and highly successful partnership, we are applying for a Stream 2 grant for a total of $ 15,000. This will be the third workshop in a series of joint Canada-Latin America research capacity building initiatives to address forced migration (FM) and regional development through the Latin American Network on Forced Migration (LANFM). This pan-American network, formed in 2010, is the first of its kind in Latin America. It seeks to advance knowledge of FM in the region through collaborative research activities and the strengthening of partnerships between Canadian and Latin American researchers.

The workshop will include participants from the following institutions: Universidad de los Andes, Colombia’s most celebrated institution of higher education; its Law faculty boasts an outstanding international reputation, and hosts an interdisciplinary group of lawyers, economists and social workers who explore the impact of law on salient issues of Colombian society — among them, forced displacement and development. The Institute for Development and Peace Studies (INDEPAZ), a Colombian NGO that works to encourage reconciliation, dialogue, non-violence and respect for human life. Latin American Institute for an Alternative Society and Alternative Law (ILSA), an NGO offering programs and publications on economic, social, cultural, and environmental rights, with special attention to gender, ethnic minorities and displaced populations. National Secretariat of Pastoral Social (SNPS) / Colombian Cáritas, the Colombian Catholic Church’s secretariat for social ministry, whose social service and advocacy work includes programs aimed at ending Colombia’s armed conflict, and support efforts directed at the displaced. Organization for Human Rights and Displacement (CODHES), an international NGO with 20 years’ experience advocating for the rights of the displaced. The Canadian Council for International Cooperation (CCIC), a coalition of about 100 Canadian voluntary sector organizations working globally to achieve sustainable human development. The Halifax Initiative, a coalition of development, environment, faith-based, human rights and labour groups that represents the Canadian presence for public interest advocacy and education on IFI reform.