adelphi informs the strategy of the German Development Cooperation in Colombia

The German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development is in the process of adopting a third priority area of work on Sustainable Economic Development for the bilateral cooperation with Colombia. In this context, adelphi has conducted a research study focusing on the linkages between natural resources, environment and conflict in the country.

Colombia is one of Germany’s main cooperation partner countries in the Latin American region. Thus, a deeper understanding of the challenges and possible ways for the German development cooperation to address them is needed.

adelphi’s study is based on extensive interviews with national and local government, academics and civil society representatives in Colombia’s capital Bogotá and two northern regions. The findings show how old and new dynamics are giving rise to a new set of conflicts around water resources, land and mineral extraction, which are already affecting many communities and will most likely characterise the future in the country. Difficulties are expected to continue as the government is pursuing an economic development strategy based on natural resource extraction and as pressure on the environment increases.
The country study is part of a larger research project commissioned by the Ministry. Past country studies took place in Tajikistan, Kyrgizstan, Indonesia, and a regional study was carried out on Central Asia. A comprehensive study with comparisons and lessons learned will follow in mid-2013.

For further information, please visit:
http://www.adelphi.de/en…