Former Farc guerrilla calls for peace and reconciliation

Today, Colombia and Farc rebels signed a historic peace agreement that has put an end to five decades of conflict. 

This marks a new beginning in Colombia's history, and a period we are proud to be part of as the One Young World Summit 2017 will be held in Bogotá.

To mark the occasion, we are looking back on a poignant session held at the One Young World Summit 2014 in Dublin in which two Ambassadors formerly on different sides of the conflict reconciled themselves and now work together so that Colombia's next generation can live in peace. 

Regis Ortiz, a former soldier in Colombia's largest guerilla group, Farc, and Daniel Buritica, who lived through the experience of having his aunt kidnapped by Farc, joined their voices to see beyond their opposing experiences. 

Together, they organise Bakongo Paz, which unites war victims and demobilises people who were involved in different armed groups. Some of the camp’s attendees were once victims of guerrilla warfare, others were involved in illegal armed groups. Regardless of how, everyone who attends has been affected by the war that has been facing Colombia for the past 50 years.

Their aim in uniting these groups is to help them overcome their pasts and reconcile so they too can experience the unity that now binds Regis and Daniel. 

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