How business can tackle the causes and consequences of conflict in Colombia

The present armed conflict in Colombia, combined with decades of unrest, has affected the growth of the country and kept a large proportion of the population in poverty.

Although the conflict has eased over recent years, the country still suffers significant problems, including 2.5 million people displaced from their original communities, lack of housing, high levels of illiteracy and a 'brain drain' of educated Colombians to other countries.

Clearly the government is the key player in the task of building peace, ensuring human rights are upheld and creating the necessary conditions for sustainable social and economic development. But business can also play a role.

There is a growing realisation that it is through companies, civil society and the public sector that the most intractable social challenges can be tackled. But not just in the traditional sense of corporate social responsibility (CSR) or philanthropy. It is through core business activities – like production, manufacturing, employment and marketing – that a company has the most impact on society.

When these core business activities are managed responsibly and combined with well-planned social programmes – conducted in partnership with civil society and the public sector – firms can make an impact on social development as well as improving conditions for business growth.

There are many examples of just how businesses can do this in IBLF's publication Development, Peace and Human Rights in Colombia: A Business Agenda, which was launched in July.

At the end of October and beginning of November, IBLF - working with Fundación Ideas para la Paz and the UN Global Compact - brought together leaders from business, civil society, government and international agencies to discuss how business can make a contribution to development, peace and human rights in Colombia.

The participants explored how business could work with civil society to overcome long-rooted mistrust, promote poverty reduction, tackle discrimination and assist vulnerable populations. Read the news story on the two events.

IBLF is now analysing the key messages from the two meetings, and will produce a set of recommendations on how business can further its contribution to human rights and development in Colombia.

Here's what some of the participants said at the meetings:

"The role of business is not just to help the poor through charity, but rather to help build a society where the rule of law is respected." Jorge Rojas, Director, Consultancy on Human Rights and Displacement (CODHES)

"We need to understand better what business is doing … it is reaching out not only in a philanthropic way, but also to build trust…
Ambassador Carolina Barco, Government of Colombia

"Companies have a legitimate role to play with regard to public policy; however, it needs to be clear that companies are only part of the discussion. If BP asserted its influence too much in these discussions that would raise concerns. Finding that balance is difficult and involves dialogue."
Graham Baxter, Vice President, Corporate Responsibility, BP

"Engagement with civil society institutions who understand the needs of poor and displaced communities is crucial, if corporate efforts to contribute to development in Colombia are to be effective."
Ed Potter, Director, Global Labour Relations, The Coca-Cola Company

 

 

The dialogues and an IBLF report on Development, Peace and Human Rights in Colombia - A Business Agenda were sponsored by The Coca-Cola Company.

More information on the Washington and London events, as well as background on Colombia, is available at www.iblf.org/regions/americas/colombia.jsp. A full report on all three dialogues will be posted on the website shortly.

Photograph shows a Colombian woman cutting roses in the outskirts of Bogota. Copyright Reuters / Daniel Munoz.