The Center for Latin American and Caribbean Studies (CLACS) and the Robert F. Wagner Graducate School of Public Service hosts the talk, "The Unintended Consequences of Colombia's Peace Agreement" by Juan Vargas (Professor of Economics at Universidad del Rosario (Colombia), as part of Colombia: Past, Present, and Futures, A Colombian Issues and Studies Initiative).
This event is free and open to the public. ID required at the entance.
ABSTRACT:
Professor Juan Vargas will talk about his recent research which focuses on the consequences of the Colombian Peace Agreement between the government and the Revolutionary Armed Forces (FARC) guerrilla. Particularly, Juan claims that the permanent ceasefire declared by the FARC in the midst of peace negotiations changed the balance of power in the Colombian territory, especially when comparing areas formerly controlled by FARC to other areas. His findings suggest that peace agreements need to be complemented with efforts to build state capacity and bring institutional presence to the territory, in order to avoid unintended consequences. Juan's specific findings pertain to the effect of the permanent ceasefire on 1) deforestation, 2) illegal crops and 3) civilian victimization.
ABOUT THE SPEAKER:
Juan Vargas is a Professor of Economics at Universidad del Rosario (Colombia) and a Visiting Professor at New York University (2019-2020). His research focuses on the causes and consequences of violent armed conflict, the economics of crime and the interplay between political and eocnomic institutions in the process of state-building in Colombia. Juan's research shows how well-intended policies often have negative unexpected consequences when the institutional environment is weak. His papers have been published in journals such as The Review of Economic Studies, American Journal of Political Science, American Political Science Review, American Economic Journal: Economic Policy and The Economic Journal, among others. He obtained the 2018 Juan Luis Londoño Prize, awarded to the Colombian economist under 40 who has made outstanding academic contributions that have had an impact in improving the well-being of Colombians.
ABOUT THE COLOMBIA: PAST, PRESENT, AND FUTURES. A COLOMBIAN ISSUES AND STUDIES INITIATIVE:
The Colombia: Past, Present, and Futures: A Colombian Issues and Studies Initiative is lead by NYU's Center for Latin American and Caribbean Studies (CLACS) and the Robert F. Wagner Graduate School of Public Service, in partnership with the Academic Vice-Provost Office, and the Centro de Paz, Conflictos and Postconflictos at Universidad del Rosario, in Bogotá, Colombia. The goal is to propose, design, and convene recurrent academic events and activities to raise awareness, deepen undertanding and foster discussion about current challenges and opportunities affecting the peace process, democratic governance, and sustainable development in Colombia.
WHEN:
Wednesday, February 19th
6PM-8PM
WHERE:
King Juan Carlos I Center at NYU
53 Washington Square South
New York, NY 10012
