The Disarmament, Demobilization and Reintegration Congress of Cartagena de Indias, was a forum organized by the United Nations on May 4, 2009 in Colombia. The government of president Álvaro Uribe Vélez promoted the celebration of such Congress in the country and it became a space to share experiences in the matter of long term conflicts and how they improved in peace and reconciliation. 46 countries accepted the invitation of the UN and the Colombian government.
It was especially meaningful that the Congress was celebrated in Colombia, a nation that has endured a five decades war among communist guerrillas, right-wind paramilitary groups, state security forces and drug mafia cartels.
During the presidency of Álvaro Uribe (2002 – 2010), the state backed the most strong armed illegal groups and reduced their influence in big parts of the Colombian territory, while some paramilitary groups surrounded to the state. However, the army continues crushing against guerrilla groups like Farc and new formed paramilitary groups like Aguilas Negras.
Therefore, Colombia, is an expert with its long conflict and several attends to obtain peace.The government of president Uribe has offered a wide program of disarmament, demobilization and reintegration for illegal armed groups like the paramilitary commandos and the communist guerrillas.
It was also the first international forum of this kind in the world. Nowadays, about 24 countries are following processes of disarmament. They exposed their experience in achievements, obstacles, results and ideas about conflicts, violence, victims and the role of the state.
The role of the international community and the civil society in their attend to obtain peace in countries with long armed conflicts or civil wars was also analyzed. The Colombian government showed its ways of attention to communities that have been victims of violence, actions in favor of peace and opportunities for a social reintegration.
According with official statistics presented in the Forum, about 50 thousand persons have demobilized from armed illegal groups in Colombia and a number of 33 thousand are inside a process of reintegration.
The First International Forum about disarmament, demobilization and reintegration produce a document that was entitled “Cartagena Contribution to DDR.” The Forum was directed by Nat J. Colletta. General Antonio Francisco Andrade, the president of Amnisty of Uganda, was one of the guest of the Forum at the side of humanitarian leaders, Latin American former presidents and many others linked to peace processes in the world.
The UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon sent a message to the Congress that was read by Dmitry Titov, the assistant of the Secretary-General. He said that during the last two decades, the DDR has become recognized as a critical ingredient in consolidating stability and building peace in countries emerging from conflict. At the same time, the United Nations has increasingly been called upon to support the implementation of DDR programmes. There are nearly 1 million beneficiaries of DDR efforts worldwide, said Ban Ki-moon in his message.
The DDR is designed to advance security and stability in post-conflict environments so that recovery and development can firmly take root. The DDR of ex-combatants is a complex process, with political, military, security, humanitarian and socio-economic dimensions. Quite often, these individuals are left without livelihoods or support networks, other than their former comrades. Our experiences in Mozambique, Sierra Leone and many other places have shown how effective DDR initiatives can be in helping ex-combatants build a new life for themselves and a better future for their countries.
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Hey , Happy Easter 2010!!!
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The men of war should be gather all together and put in a deserted island.
Increase job opportunities, especially to young people.
We pray for peace in all the countries in war.
history is written by those in power.
The men are the cause of violence? Waw!
Yes, men are violent. I am agree to make them slaves. Tie them all.
I propose all the men to dance naked for us haahaha showing their guns
Social revolution is the solution.
Can you believe this story?
I had to share this with everyone.
(NewsCore)
A WOMAN’S breast implants have saved her life after she was caught in the line of fire and shot at point-blank range with a semi-automatic assault rifle.
The Sun reports Lydia Carranza’s silicone implants took the force of the blow and prevented bullet fragments from reaching her vital organs.
The dental receptionist was at work in Beverly Hills, Calif., when a gunman burst in and opened fire.
He first shot dead his wife before turning the gun on Carranza, who was sitting a few feet away.
Surgeon Dr. Ashkan Ghavami said: “She’s just one lucky woman.
“The bullet fragments were millimeters from her heart and her vital organs. Had she not had the implant, she might not be alive today.”
Carranza’s implants took her from a B to a D-cup.
Alleged gunman Jaime Paredes was charged with murder.
The problem is not men or women. Humans!
Violence is a lack of education.
Greetings from London to Colombia linda.
Violence comes from social injustice.
I would say that your site is among the best about Colombia. Congratulations.
The real disarmament is to gun down terrorist. Agreements with bloody groups is vain.
Peace is the best business. Wanna good joke? What would you get if you put a light bulb in a suit of armor? A knightlight.
Peace comes from good hearts. Violence divides the world.
Hi everybody!
In my opinion, violence comes from poverty and lack of opportunities. For this reason, countries with poverty and unemployment are more violent than rich countries. So simple like that.
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I consider, that disarmament can be done only by exposure to social justice, employment and development.
Violence is made only by males. Look any war and males are implicated from the cause of the conflict to its fighting. The solution is that women take the fully power of the world, in politics, society, economics, culture, transport, telecommunications, army, security forces, etc, etc. Then we must take control over males. They must be entirely under our control, zero freedom for their always aggressive hormones. Then we must use them as animals for heavy works and insemination. Many species do it already, for example the bees: they all are females and the males are only for insemination. When the population is too many, so the food will be little, they just get rid of them. Let us do it and peace will come over the planet. Do not be afraid. Let us create the female dominion.
Disarmament is not easy if a nation is used to violence. It must be a great revolution to change the minds. Revolutions come from revolution of minds, not just structures.
The wars are the highest expression of our human hate. In the deep of our being, we just hate others. Love is a very fragile flower that is hold for a very small group of selected ones. They avoid that we do not destroy each other, that we do not bomb of this planet.
There will be a time where humanity will be a real peaceful not only among us, but with the nature, the animals, the plants.
Hi!
Help poorness situations globally for free!
Wars are business. While many people is killed, some guys are enjoying bloody money. The criminals are on air con offices in big cities.
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What about the women in the armed conflicts?
קולומביה היא מדינה טובה התיירות הבינלאומי.
אני חושב שזה היא מדינה בטוחה
Colombia is worthy of peace. A place with so many talented people is called to play a great role in the development of the region. International community should have a best presence in Colombia to stop the bloody conflict. If Colombia has peace, the world will have the opportunity to see a great country in the Western Hemisphere.
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What do you mean with violence is for tropical countries? What about North Korea, the Balkans, South Africa? Will you call New York a tropical city?
I think violence is especially strong in tropical countries.
“Two things are infinite: the universe and human stupidity; and I’m not sure about the the universe.” – Albert Einstein !
what is the point of this quote ?
We pray for peace everywhere.
Any experience of demobilization in the world has been preceded by a deep social compromise of the parts. If it is not clear what is going to happen next, then men from wars tend to return to their old activities and it can be even worse. Furthermore, we cannot omit justice as well. How are we going to deal with war crimes and crimes against humanity? Impunity should not be promoted in a demobilization program.
Curious to do this event in a country like Colombia. Can we consider that the paramilitary gave up their guns? Though violence was reduced in a considerable number in the country, it seems that many small groups maybe from the big former ones, are going around the country.
It is true, if armed groups give up guns, but they do not find good opportunities, they will go to the crime again.
Fight poverty and war die.
Disarmament must be done after a well established social politic to reduce poverty. Poverty, social inequality and injustice are the mothers of violence and abuses.