Waging Peace: Ecuador

Mediating Conflict

Dialogue Process
In 2007, The Carter Center initiated a dialogue process between influential individuals from Ecuador and Colombia to promote binational cooperation on projects affecting the lives of citizens at the border and improve mutual understanding between the two countries. Ten Ecuadorians and 10 Colombians participated in this dialogue process, which led to the establishment of the Bi-National Dialogue Group (BDG). This process started in Atlanta with a meeting hosted by former President Jimmy Carter on Nov. 12-14, 2007, and continued through 2009 with a series of meetings and binational initiatives.

By participating in this initiative, BDG members reached a much deeper understanding of the perspectives of the members from their neighboring country. This initiative gained particular importance when a Colombian military operation took place on Ecuadorian soil on March 1, 2008. Despite the increase in tensions between both countries over the event, the group engaged in a constructive dialogue and developed strategies for improving the relations between their countries.

Even though diplomatic relations are still to be restored, the BDG has succeeded in establishing close cooperative ties between several societal groups of both countries and helping prevent the escalation of the conflict.

Confidence-Building Agreements
The Carter Center and former President Carter, advised by members of the BDG, also facilitated confidence-building agreements between Ecuador and Colombia in April and May 2008.  President Carter hosted a private, informal meeting between the foreign ministers in Atlanta in May 2009 that contributed to the Sept. 23, 2009, public announcement of the intent of the two presidents to re-establish relations at the level of chargé d'affaires in October 2009.

Read more about the dialogue process between Ecuador and Colombia >

Read more about the Carter Center's work in the northern border >