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Colombia

COLOMBIA - International Experts and Colombian Society to Discuss Land Restitution

This week, representatives from all sectors of Colombian society will come together at a Land Restitution Seminar, organized by IOM and the Colombian Ministry of Agriculture, with funding from the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).

The seminar will benefit from contributions from IOM and other international experts on land tenancy and restitution issues. It will bring together some 30 representatives from the state institutions, as well as local authorities, all political parties, trade associations, trade unions, victims' organizations and academia.

The speakers will present their ideas and recommendations on the draft law, currently being considered by Congress, which is vital for ensuring that the victims of dispossession, caused by the violence of illegal armed groups, can now return to their lands and regain ownership.

The seminar is part of the cooperation agreement signed between IOM and the Ministry of Agriculture last month, which also includes technical assistance for: the drafting of a national plan for Land Restitution; the creation of a National Land System; a programme for formalizing rural land ownership; support for the formulation, management and execution of the Land Law; and the creation of rural development programmes and institutional strengthening of entities in the agricultural sector.

More than three million Colombians have been displaced leaving behind their homes and land. Through its Land Restitution Policy, the Colombian government hopes to hand back some two million hectares to the victims of violence.

Marcelo Pisani, IOM Chief of Mission in Colombia says, "Part of our work in providing technical advice to the Colombian Government also includes creating spaces for public debate to help formulate public policies. Land restitution is an integral part of the rural development policy and therefore it needs to be coordinated in a way that ensures sustainability."

Colombian President, Juan Manuel Santos, United States Ambassador to Colombia, Michael McKinley, the director of the weekly magazine Semana, Alejandro Santos and Marcelo Pisani will provide welcome remarks.

Key conclusions from the seminar will be presented to the Minister of Agriculture.

For more information, please contact Jorge Gallo at IOM Bogota, Tel: +57 1 622-7774; Email: jgallo@iom.int