This is a very general overview about current issues in Colombia. The sources are in depth if anyone is interested in learning more.

1. COLOMBIA: War and PovertyPresented by: Suzanne I. Aristy-MenaGlobal Development and Social JusticeInformation Resources for Development ProfessionalsProfessor: Dr. Kevin RiouxJuly 18, 2011

2. “Colombia’s current armed conflict has been going on for almost 50 years, though many would say much longer. This conflict is rooted in inequality, poverty, and the social, political and economic exclusion of disadvantaged social groups in extensive geographic areas of the country…

3. …In the last three decades these socio-economic and political conditions created an environment for drug trafficking to emerge as one of the main drivers of the Colombian crisis.” Luis Gilberto Murillo-UrrutiaSenior Fellow on International PolicyPhelps Stokes Fund, Washington, D.C. (2007)

4. Source: World Bank

5. Source: World Bank

6. The United Nations calls the IDP crisis in Colombia the worst humanitarian catastrophe in the Western Hemisphere (Murillo-Urrutia, 136)

8. Click to hear stories form IDPs: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zM1q1lvCjMA&playnext=1&list=PL584193ABE6D4FF7A

9. The Armed Conflict: Over 11, 000 child soldiers Approximately 40 percent of Colombia's 3.8 million internally displaced persons (IDPs) are of African descent Fierce competition over territorial control due to richness in biodiversity Contemporary Issues:

10. .http://www.unhcr.org/4c11f0be9.pdf www.jpanafrican.com/.../ContemporaryChallengesInColombia_JPASvol1no8.pdf http://web.worldbank.org Related Sources

11. THANK YOU…