Restorative Justice and Peace in Colombia, International Symposium  

In February 2005, AlvarAlice Foundation and Fundacion AlvarAlice organized an “International Symposium on Restorative Justice and Peace in Colombia”.  Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Archbishop Desmond Tutu gave the keynote address, and 1500 attendees discussed the South African experience and its relevance to Colombia.  Results of the symposium include: 

Putting the restorative justice concept in the national agenda, highlighting its potential as a tool for peaceful coexistence and reconciliation, The creation of  Restorative Justice and Coexistence Centers in urban and rural areas of southwestern Colombia with the help of a  US 3.5 million dollar project supported by USAID, the private sector and civil society organizations.

The inclusion of Restorative Justice and alternative justice models in 5 Law and Political Science’s Schools of Colombia. The activities include productive development and micro credit programs in the communities benefiting from the project.