Colombia: Forum on the relevance of political ideologies

In pursuit of its objective of strengthening democratic governance, the CAF is supporting the International Forum Left and right: toward a rebirth of political ideologies? being held in Bogota on September 6 and 7. The event is organized by the Corporación Escuela Galán para el Desarrollo de la Democracia.

With the participation of prestigious international academics, Colombian researchers and recognized figures from national political life, the international forum Left and right: toward a rebirth of political ideologies? is being held in the Luis Ángel Arango Library in Bogota. The event, attended by 500 people including journalists, politicians, academics and university students, was organized by Corporación Escuela Galán para el Desarrollo de la Democracia with the support of the Andean Development Corporation.

The Corporación Escuela Galán believes it is essential to open a broad discussion on the relevance of ideologies in today´s world, as the basis for the necessary realignment of party systems and strengthening of governance in Latin America. The CAF considers governance to be a necessary condition for sustainable development and, as its president Enrique García commented, has included the promotion of actions to strengthen governance in its strategic programs.

On the first day of the Forum, García spoke of the challenges and economic opportunities for Latin America in the framework of democratic governance. The CAF president presented the outlook for the region in which he emphasized a series of challenges that, in his opinion, should be taken into account by any political program, whether of the left or the right.

The forum organizers invited two prestigious European academics, Gianfranco Pasquino (Italy), professor of John Hopkins University (University of Bologna Chapter); and Manuel Alcántara (Spain), director of the Institute of Studies of Ibero-America and Portugal of the University of Salamanca, to analyze the most contemporary expressions of ideologies and the role they will play in the various political spheres - parties, elections, governments - in the near future. Other speakers in the Forum are the Colombian researchers Rodrigo Losada and Eduardo Pizarro, Rudolf Hommes and Luis Jorge Garay.

A panel on Ideological coordinates of politics and parties in Colombia will be held on the second day, moderated by Eduardo Pizarro with the participation of Colombian politicians from different ideological tendencies and political parties: Alfonso Gómez Méndez, Fernando Londoño Hoyos, Antonio Navarro Wolf and Juan Manuel Santos.

These experts are certain to contribute concepts and views of great interest to the media, opinion leaders and the general public, stimulating and deepening the political debates taking place at this time on the continent.