Dublin (Dec 22/2021) The Embassy of Colombia in Ireland held on 13th December the panel discussion A Journey on the Implementation on the 2016 Peace Agreement: Building on Achievements and Sharing Lessons. The event, organised in collaboration with The Glencree Centre for Peace and Reconciliation, included the participation of High Counsellor for Stabilization and Consolidation in Colombia, Emilio Archila; EU Special Representative for Human Rights and EU Special Envoy for the Peace Process in Colombia, Eamon Gilmore; and Assistant Secretary at the Department of Foreign Affairs and Irish Ambassador to the UN (designate), Fergal Mythen.

Moderated by Glencree’s Community & Political Programme Manager, Pat Hynes, the discussion revolved around the progress and commitment on peace implementation from the government of Colombia and the parallels with the Irish peace process. Counsellor Archila highlighted the practicalities of the implementation and explained some of its challenges. EU Special Envoy mentioned the need of leaving behind the language of failure and take the Colombian implementation as the success that it is, with its challenges and difficulties. The Assistant Secretary at the DFA spoke of the transformative quality of any process of implementation and how in the Irish process a series of amendments have been required in the 23 years since the signing.

The discussion was opened by the CEO of the Glencree Centre, Naoimh McNamee and Colombian Ambassador H.E. Patricia Cortés Ortiz offered her welcome remarks. A recording of the discussion is available on the Glencree YouTube Channel.