News
“Our engagement in Colombia relies both on our strong ties with our local ecumenical partners and the cooperation with the international community,” said Pillay. “This historic moment in which this country puts so much effort in the work for integral peace needs our strong support.”
Pillay met with the chief negotiator of the Colombian government for the peace roundtable of dialogue with the EMC FARC-EP Camilo Gonzalez Posso.
Earlier this year, the WCC, with the Colombian Episcopal Conference, United Nations Mission in Colombia, and Organization of American States, was appointed as a permanent accompanier of the peace roundtable between the Estado Mayor Central FARC-EP and the Colombian government.
Pillay congratulated Posso for the positive progress of the group. After only two months of work, the roundtable announced the installation of a mechanism of social oversight and monitoring of the terms of the ceasefire agreement signed by both sides.
“The presence of the World Council of Churches at the table and in the verification mechanisms is very important,” said Posso. “It is a message of trust and hope for Colombian society. Their experience, their wisdom helps and will help ensure that the work we do is directed to the benefit of Colombians. The visit of the secretary general this week has encouraged us greatly.”
The breakfast meeting took place on 15 December, at the residence of the deputy chief of mission of the Swiss Embassy in Colombia Fabian Hayoz.
“The domestic will to move forward is absolutely key,” said Hayoz. “But international support is also very much important. Because on the one hand we can help the government of Colombia to structure its endeavors and to implement its visionary strategy, but on the other hand, of course, we can also somehow increase the international encouragement to an agenda of peace that goes beyond the current government.”
Hayoz added: “I think the church is an unique position because they are at the same time a local actor, with a very strong local presence in the communities, but then also an international actor with a high moral authority, which of course also very much contributes to the solidity of peace processes.”
WCC sees firsthand those most affected by conflict in Colombia (WCC news release 15 December 2023)
Image
Rev. Prof. Dr Jerry Pillay with representatives of embassies of Switzerland, Norway, Germany, and the diplomatic service of the European Union.
Marcelo Schneider/WCC
