These are the requests that Colombians would have for the new government

In the midst of the controversial electoral landscape, different sectors have sought to establish dialogues and even common initiatives, which attempt to generate consensus in relation to petitions before a possible new government, projects such as 'We Have to Talk, Colombia', brought together thousands of Colombians to establish different conversations that would make it possible to know the changes that Colombians need in different sectors.

The project, made up of six universities in the country, states: “In 2021, six universities from all over the country — EAFIT, Nacional, Los Andes, Valle, Norte and Industrial de Santander — came together, with the support of the Sura Group and the Ideas for Peace Foundation, to advance a major national conversation and raise the voice of Colombians , their concerns and reflections, with a view to the electoral process in 2022. For this we promoted We must speak Colombia, a methodological exercise transferred from the experience developed in Chile.”

There were 1453 conversations in which 5159 people participated, during four and a half months of sessions, in six regions of the country where it predominated: the Coffee Region, Caribbean, Pacific, Amazon, Eastern Plains, Antioquia and Centro. For 108 days, the 40 facilitators of dialogue sought the position of the different sectors to map, around trust, feelings, reactions and factors of change.

With regard to the high levels of trust in the participants, a large majority expressed their level of consolidation with the community, social organizations, academia, educators, the family and companies themselves; however, the worst grades in this segment were taken by state organizations and political actors, who scored the lowest.

Making a new pact for education

98% of the conversations regarding education highlighted the need for change or improvement in education; where the focus of transformation in the country is education as a training center for the exercise of citizenship, at this point, factors such as moving away from polarization, being civic, demonstrating empathy and promote collective awareness.

Changing politics and eliminating corruption

With regard to the concept of corruption and politics, 94 per cent of the talks highlighted the need to change dynamics, taking into account that, participants emphasized that politics was the direct bridge to the guarantee of rights, however, corruption was seen as the main obstacle to the optimal development of the same.

Transforming society through culture

Sixty-three per cent of the conversations highlighted the need for a change in this regard, leaving aside the famous “culture of vividness” and prioritizing respect for ideas and building society.

Taking care of biodiversity and cultural diversity

A large percentage of the talks pointed to the need to protect cultural biodiversity, being 80%, similar to the fact that the steps of different countries should be followed, strengthening ecotourism and highlighting the traditions of different peoples in the territory.

Build trust in the public

The vast majority of conversations were clear on the need to strengthen models of transparent government, since there is considerable mistrust of Congress and the presidency of the Republic, the factors of change would have to do directly with the attention of the citizen agenda and dialogue as a factor of change, listening to the population.

Protecting Peace and the Constitution: A Shared Horizon

The Political Constitution of Colombia of 1991 is considered to be one of the best in the region, most participants in the talks considered that freedom and democracy should be guaranteed, noting that, if the magna carta were to be taken to the letter in the country, a better picture could be elucidated.

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