Since 2016, the Regional Center for Responsible Business and Entrepreneurship (CREER) has been developing a line of action and research titled Territory, Reconciliation, and Coexistence, aimed at promoting a new agenda for businesses and economic sectors to contribute to the consolidation of territorial peace. This agenda is closely tied to a greater presence of the State to protect citizens and to strengthen local institutions for coexistence and conflict transformation.
In partnership with the Institute for Business Ethics at the University of St. Gallen, we are pleased to present the findings of the study “Between Solidarity and Obligation: Challenges for Business Participation in Symbolic Reparation.” This research stems from a shared interest in understanding the role of the private sector in peacebuilding and reconciliation processes in Colombia, especially within the current framework of Transitional Justice.
The research explores both academic and practical dimensions of private sector participation in symbolic reparation initiatives. It focuses on identifying the expectations of victims, businesses, the State, and other stakeholders regarding how symbolic reparation can be used to shape the role of business in Colombia’s armed conflict and in the broader peacebuilding process.
Both think tanks start from the premise that, to address human rights violations—whether or not directly linked to armed conflict—through symbolic reparation, each actor must contribute according to their role, capacities, and responsibilities. In this regard, the private sector can follow two paths:
On the one hand, businesses can support symbolic and intangible processes of reparation and reconciliation by expressing solidarity with victims and acknowledging the suffering they endured.
On the other hand, where appropriate, they can also contribute to truth-seeking and acknowledgment of responsibility, through meaningful symbolic participation.
On April 29, the report was presented at Pontificia Universidad Javeriana to an audience of academics, companies and business leaders, public institutions, NGOs, and civil society organizations.
We invite you to explore the findings of this research to continue the conversation on the various ways in which the private sector can contribute to guaranteeing victims’ rights and, more broadly, to Colombia’s journey toward truth and reconciliation in the context of armed conflict.
Todos los derechos reservados | Desarrollado por CREER 2024 |
Report from the meeting with workers and trade unions
Testimony from workers and trade unions
The rapid expansion of critical minerals for the energy transition and other strategic industries (agriculture, defense, technology) presents us with a paradox: the decarbonization of the planet depends on an intensification of mining activity. For CREER, this rapid expansion carries critical risks regarding human rights, local economic dynamics, and ecosystem balance. Our work focuses on analyzing these dilemmas through the lens of a just transition, promoting governance frameworks that mitigate negative impacts and ensure that the mining of “minerals for the future” is carried out under rigorous standards of sustainability, equity, and respect for fundamental rights, through dialogue among different stakeholders.
We analyze the governance and sustainability challenges that arise in the implementation of decentralized generation models. Our work focuses on researching how local associative structures interact with regulatory frameworks and human rights standards. Through applied research, we assess the risks of rent capture, internal decision-making conflicts, and the conditions necessary for these self-management schemes to guarantee equitable and transparent participation in the territory.
With a focus on responsible land management and respect for local livelihoods, at CREER we apply our technical expertise in the photovoltaic sector to promote a solar transition with social integrity. Through the analysis of rural environments, the strengthening of local governance, and the design of participation mechanisms, we seek to ensure that large-scale deployment in Latin America not only contributes to the energy mix, but also strengthens the social fabric. Our purpose is to lead due diligence models that ensure solar infrastructure coexists with food security, strategic ecosystems, and the productive vocations of each community.
