Responding to Internal Displacement in Colombia: Perspectives from Government, International Organizations and other Stakeholders

The Colombian government, international organizations and other stakeholders have long wrestled with a comprehensive response to both the large scale and complexity of internal displacement in Colombia. While Colombian laws and policies toward internally displaced persons (IDPs) are among the best in the world, the search for long-term solutions for the displaced has proven to be a challenge.

On July 23, the Brookings-Bern Project on Internal Displacement will host a discussion on the challenges of responding to internal displacement in Colombia. The event will feature remarks by His Excellency Luis Alfonso Hoyos, Colombia’s ambassador to the Organization for American States (OAS) and former director of Acción Social, and Armando Escobar, the current advisor for IDPs at Acción Social. After their remarks, Martin Bissig of the International Committee of the Red Cross in Colombia and Patricia Fagen of Georgetown University will discuss their experience with displacement in the country. Senior Fellow Elizabeth Ferris, co-director of the Brookings-Bern Project, will provide introductory remarks and moderate the discussion.

After the program, panelists will take audience questions.