BONDS OF PEACE
TBY talks to Michael Daniel Higgins, President of Ireland, on the history of cultural engagement between the Irish and Colombians and supporting Colombia on its path to peace.
BIOGRAPHY
A political voice, a poet and writer, academic and statesman, human rights advocate, promoter of inclusive citizenship and champion of creativity within Irish society, Michael Daniel Higgins has previously served at almost every level of public life in Ireland, including as Ireland’s first Minister for Arts, Culture and the Gaeltacht. He was a lecturer in Political Science and Sociology at the National University of Ireland, Galway, and the US. A desire to work more directly for equality and justice led him to enter public life, and he went on to serve as a public representative at many levels from Councilor and Mayor to nine years in the Seanad and 25 in Dáil Éireann. He was inaugurated as the ninth President of Ireland in 2011.2017 was a significant time for a first visit by an Irish President to a country with which Ireland has had warm diplomatic relations since 1999, but with which we have also enjoyed much older connections. The establishment of formal diplomatic relations between our two countries, in 1999, has done much to foster the reciprocal friendship between the Irish and the Colombians. Our relationships have widened and deepened through productive and mutually beneficial co-operation, particularly through academic and cultural exchanges, and, of course, through our support and commitment for the Colombian peace process, which has intensified in recent times and to which we remain committed.
Yet, there exists a long history of cultural engagement of the Irish with Colombia, which predates our formal diplomatic relations. Although geography, scale, and our respective historical journeys differ in some respects, there are significant aspects of the collective experience of the Irish and Colombian peoples that we share. The movement from a precarious society of tenant farmers to a smallholder's rural economy, albeit deeply influenced by emigration, and in recent decades urbanization, is the source of the deep changes in Irish political and social life.
We in Ireland understand the difficult and painful choices that peace and reconciliation can entail, and we also understand and were grateful for support that came to us from our friends at critical junctures on the path to peace. It is for this reason that Irish people have been so pleased to support Colombia in its ongoing journey. We recognize the differences in our two processes, but we believe we can make a contribution by making available our own experience of peace-building over the last 20 years and more.
I know that many groups and individuals have traveled between Colombia and Ireland in recent months to discuss lessons and parallels from our respective journeys. We will continue to provide that assistance in the coming, critical years, including through the trust fund that we have helped to establish together with our friends in the EU. This trust fund is just one element of the broader support that the EU has been providing to many hundreds of projects all over Colombia, with hundreds of millions of euros in funding. Ireland has been pleased to contribute to this effort over many years and will, may I say it again, continue to do so.
Our involvement in Colombia is no exception to our deep commitment to human rights and it is precisely for such reasons that our relationship with the Office for the High Commissioner for Human Rights is at the center of Ireland's activity in Colombia. We have been pleased to provide it with financial support for its work with human rights defenders and victims in the province of Nariño as well as in drawing lessons from the peace process in Northern Ireland.
Nobody, however, underestimates the scale of the challenges that remain in relation to the implementation of the new agreement, including the transitional justice framework, disarmament, and the establishment of a safe and secure environment for all of Colombia's citizens. It goes without saying that Ireland remains available to support the people of Colombia in any way that furthers the goal of peace in this country.
All of us Irish would like to see Ireland act as a bridge for Colombia to the EU, a bridge that would contribute to advancing the development of its connections to the European region, and we would, in turn, welcome the opportunity for the further development of the bonds between us so that Colombia can act as a bridge for us to Latin America.
At this very important time in its modern history I want to convey to all Colombians Ireland's very best wishes for a peaceful, prosperous, and inclusive future. We are pleased, in Ireland, that we have been able, bilaterally and through the EU, to make our contribution to its peace process. Ireland is privileged indeed that Colombians have allowed us to share in their journey from darkness to light.
BONDS OF PEACE
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Focus: Nobel Prize
Eyes on the Prize
Juan Manuel Santos' Nobel Prize demonstrated the international community's recognition of his efforts toward forging permanent peace with the FARC, but the process of ratifying the treaty reveals that the issue remains as complicated as ever for Colombians.
read articleGuest Speaker
Luís Guillermo Solís Rivera, President, Costa Rica
TBY talks to Luís Guillermo Solís Rivera, President of Costa Rica, on respecting the sovereign power of the Colombian people, the critical areas of Caribbean security where both countries can work together, and the importance of burgeoning industrial ties between Colombia and Costa Rica.
read articleInterview
Ernesto Samper Pizano, Secretary-General, Union of South American Nations (UNASUR)
TBY talks to Ernesto Samper Pizano, Secretary General of the Union of South American Nations (UNASUR), on working with regional powers to bolster the peace process, boosting citizen participation at home and in the region, and forging a new concept of hemispheric security.
read articleInterview
María Claudia Lacouture, Minister, Commerce, Industry, and Tourism
TBY talks to María Claudia Lacouture, Minister of Commerce, Industry, and Tourism, on integrating Colombia's markets with natural regional partners, boosting underserved areas, and making sure that areas like bird-watching flourish.
read articleInterview
Patricia Tovar, Executive Director, Colombian British Chamber of Commerce (BRITCHAM)
TBY talks to Patricia Tovar, Executive Director of Colombian British Chamber of Commerce (BRITCHAM), on standing behind the UK despite Brexit, the opportunities offered by 4G, and why Colombia is one of the UK's best long-term bets in Latin America.
read articleInterview
Ricardo Ávila, Editor-in-Chief, Portafolio
TBY talks to Ricardo Ávila, Editor-in-Chief of Portafolio, on the biggest social, political, and structural changes Colombia must make to reap a full peace dividend, maximizing its huge agricultural potential, and the cornucopia of sustainable energy possibilities.
read articleInterview
Juan José Echavarría, Governor, Banco de la República (Central Bank of Colombia),
TBY talks to Juan José Echavarría, Governor of Banco de la República (Central Bank of Colombia), on the bank's cultural role in securing a broader peace, the importance of saving, and why the economy must still open up even more.
read articleInterview
Marcela Vaca Torres, Colombia General Director , GeoPark
TBY talks to Marcela Vaca Torres, Colombia General Director of GeoPark, on GeoPark's assertive moves in exploration investments, regulatory opportunities to encourage exploration, and new opportunities in shale gas and offshore resources.
read articleInterview
Francisco José Lloreda, Executive President, The Colombian Oil & Gas Association (ACP)
TBY talks to Francisco José Lloreda, Executive President of The Colombian Oil & Gas Association (ACP), on expectations for the year, increasing the feasibility of hydrocarbon projects, and the state of the offshore sector.
read articleFocus: Gold
The Road to El Dorado
2016 has been a mixed and sometimes challenging year for the mining industry in Colombia, especially for gold, due to legal issues, competitiveness, and high volatility in international markets. While gold exports rose 40.5% in 2016 to USD1.5 billion, the Colombian Mining Association estimates that up to 80% of gold production is done illegally.
read articleInterview
Guilherme Franklin, Managing Director , Tetra Pak Andina
TBY talks to Guilherme Franklin, Managing Director of Tetra Pak Andina, on the decision to locate the regional headquarters in Bogotá, the plan for double-digit growth, and its efforts on digital innovations and sustainable operations.<span></span>
read articleInterview
Ricardo Bribiesca, President & Director General of the Andean Region , PPG Industries
TBY talks to Ricardo Bribiesca, President & Director General of the Andean Region of PPG Industries, on strategic areas of growth, product segmentation, and raising the bar for industry sophistication.
read articleInterview
Zully Salazar Fuentes, President, The Cartagena Tourism Corporation (Corpoturismo)
TBY talks to Zully Salazar Fuentes, President of The Cartagena Tourism Corporation (Corpoturismo), on the successes of the past year, becoming a model for other regions, and focusing on sustainability.
read articleFocus: Buenaventura Port
Good Fortune
Colombia is blessed with being the only country in South America with direct access to the Pacific Ocean, the Caribbean Sea, and the Atlantic Ocean, but its Pacific ports have long been overshadowed by their flashier Caribbean counterparts. With an ambitious investment initiative from the public and private sector, that is about to change.
read articleReview: DOING BUSINESS
Doing Business in Colombia
The first year of Colombia's extensive fiscal reform has made doing business slightly more difficult in the immediate short term. Yet, if the state achieves even half of its goals in doing so, it will significantly improve the long-term corporate outlook for the country.
read articleInterview
Michelantonio Bosso, Regional Manager & Director of Operations of Latin America, Grupo Menarini
TBY talks to Michelantonio Bosso, Regional Manager & Director of Operations of Latin America of Grupo Menarini, on the importance of Colombia to the company and its goals for the local office.
read articleFocus: Zika VIrus
Ending the Epidemic
The Zika virus posed a special threat to the 26 million Colombians living in 900 municipalities below 2,200m. Nevertheless, due to proper surveillance, international cooperation, and an immediate government response, Colombia was the first country in the Americas to announce the end of the Zika epidemic.
read articleInterview
Alfonso Prada Gil, Director General, The National Service of Learning (SENA)
TBY talks to Alfonso Prada Gil, Director General of The National Service of Learning (SENA), on its key role post conflict, upcoming development projects, and its focus on technical and technological training.
read articleInterview
Cecilia María Vélez White, Rector, Universidad de Bogotá Jorge Tadeo Lozano
TBY talks to Cecilia María Vélez White, Rector of Universidad de Bogotá Jorge Tadeo Lozano, on the impact of its new university building, developing agricultural management programs, and becoming an innovative university.
read articleInterview
Fr. Juan Ubaldo López Salamanca, O.P., General Rector, Universidad Santo Tomas Colombia (USTA)
TBY talks to Fr. Juan Ubaldo López Salamanca, O.P., General Rector of Universidad Santo Tomas Colombia (USTA), on its growth plans across the country and its contributions to society.
read articleFocus: EDUCATION INVESTMENT
Striking A Deal
Teachers went on strike for the second time in two years in May 2017, fighting for increased wages, improved infrastructure, and more teacher development programs. Will the government's offer be more broken promises or will Colombia write a new chapter for the textbooks?
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