Today, more than ever, the business sector is recognized as an influential actor in the sustainable development of the areas where they operate. Additionally, they increasingly reflect on and take action around the impacts that generate conflict situations in the development of their business activities and vice versa, on the effects that their operations may have in the prevention, mitigation or exacerbation of conflicts. Colombian businesses are interested and engaged in these dynamics. Besides having a compendium of experience and lessons to learn from, they are also willing to cooperate with governmental and non-governmental agencies, and with agencies of international cooperation to advance the development of schemes and instruments that allow them to carry out their intentions of contributing to the peaceful development of the nation.
This is the case of commercial reforestation companies with which the Environmental Programme of the GTZ has been in partnership. What was originally proposed as an activity aimed at facilitating a motivation for constructive dialogue around the topic of “Forestry Companies and Conflict” resulted in a project of greater scope, which culminates with the publication of this document and the eventual pilot implementation of a Public Private Partnership (PPP) initiative, spearheaded by one of the partner companies.
The “Conflict-Sensitive Business Practice (CSBP): Guidance for the Extractive Industries” Toolbox, drawn up by the British NGO International Alert, has been the basis for a variety of actions: in the first place, a validation for its applicability in the Forestry sector in Colombia (2005) and in the second place, the process of multisector consultation for its adaptation to commercial reforestation throughout the country (2006). The processes are based on essential elements for GTZ in its role as facilitator, with an emphasis on participation, transparency and relationships of confidence. Considering this, and with an approach to a topic that remains “sensitive” in Colombia, the Environmental Programme hoped that the companies would define the scope and rhythm of the joint effort.
From the point of view of German Technical Cooperation, the CSBP-R guide is the offspring that leaves home to walk its own path, without implying that our organization is unavailable to interested actors, to support them in their efforts to influence and build capacities in the remaining steps. The companies are the legitimate owners of this document and they will be the ones who will determine its success and subsequent development. In this sense, GTZ hopes that the CSBP-R becomes a catalyst for discussions and actions with profound repercussions in the Colombian forestry sector, as well as similar initiatives in other productive sectors in the country.
