Security. We honor today for individuals who have demonstrated Fearless Leadership and an unwavering commitment to the common good in their efforts to promote peace and human rights in columbia appeared of their actions provided a model for each of us, seeking a more piece full and just world. It is a privilege to thank them for their service and their courageous work. We want to take a moment to recognize that the honorable Clinton Hillary rodham he will have the honor of introducing in just a few moments and our authorities. Awardees. We are deeply grateful for your presence with us today. Secretary clintons legacy of leadership and the promotion of womens rights and her distinguished career of public service, we recognize the significance of ensuring, in the words of secretary clinton, that human rights are womens rights, and womens rights are human rights. We have had the privilege [applause] we have had the privilege of welcoming secretary clinton to campus on many occasions. In december 2011, she joined us for the launch of the u. S. National action plan for women, peace and security. [applause] today she serves as the honorary founding chair of our institute for women, peace and security. In the years since its founding in 2013, the institute under the extraordinary leadership of the ambassador, has convened leaders, scholars and practitioners in dialogue. It has helped to forge and strengthen georgetowns collaboration with organizations engaged in this work. It has provided a framework for our students to gain the understanding and experience to develop Global Leaders committed to womens inclusion and has undertaken research to advance the broader dialogue on the role of women in conflict and in peace. The work of this institute has a residence with our identity, deepening our commitment to social justice and advancing our efforts to prepare young women and men to address the local and global challenges that threaten peace, security and the quality. Securityy and and equality. It is an honor to present the Hillary Rodham clinton awards for advancing women in peace and security. In past years, we have presented the awards to his excellency, mustra, the u. S. Special envoy to syria, the first woman chief negotiator of a successful Peace Process, the very honorable william hague, foreign minister to the United Kingdom who brought to light the prevalence of Sexual Violence in conflict, and a surgeon that worked tirelessly with women victims of violence in the democratic republic of congo. And the secretary general of nato. This year, we are again honored to present the awards to four individuals whose abiding courage and exemplary determination played a pivotal role in securing peace in a country devastated by a halfcentury of war. Secretary clinton will share more about their efforts in a moment. Before she does, i want to introduce her. As many of you know, she has championed the rights and role of women for more than four decades in many leadership roles in which she has served. As first lady, as senator of new york, on the global stage as secretary of state, and most recently as the first woman in our countrys history to be nominated for president by a Major Political party. [applause] she has strengthened opportunities for womens political, economic and social engagement, creating and institutionalizing new positions and policies that have helped to ensure greater recognition of women in the economic develop and political systems in communities and nations around the world. She continues to serve our community as honorary cochair of the u. S. Afghan womens council, which is housed here at georgetown. And we are grateful for her ongoing commitment and example of public service. It is a privilege to have the opportunity this morning to have secretary clinton with us. Ladies and gentlemen, please join me in extending a very warm welcome to secretary Hillary Rodham clinton. [applause] [loud cheers] sec. Clinton good morning [applause] sec. Clinton thank you. Thank you so much. [applause] sec. Clinton thank you. [crowd chanting hillary] sec. Clinton thank you. Sec. Clinton thank you. Wow. Lets do that again. [laughter] [applause] sec. Clinton this warm welcome is one of the many reasons that i always appreciate coming to this campus, to this great university. And i am so pleased to have a chance to talk with you today about an issue that as the president said, has really provided the impetus for a lot of the work that is being done here at the university, particularly in the institute that has been the first of its kind anywhere in the world, studying women and security and the contributions that can be made. Im grateful to the president s Visionary Leadership and to this university for your commitment to nurturing diplomats, peacemakers and leaders. Im one of those who thinks we need more peacemakers, diplomats and leaders who are devoted to the ongoing and difficult work of bridging divides, of bringing people together, of trying to find common ground. Now, some of you may have been here back in 2011 when we announced the creation of this institute. It came about for an ultimately, profoundly simple reason. About a decade earlier there had , been a landmark resolution passed in the Un Security Council affirming womens crucial roles in peace and security. But the promise of that resolution, with very few exceptions, has remained largely unfilled. It is something i talk often about with my close friend and predecessor, secretary madeleine albright, who bleeds blue and gray. [applause] sec. Clinton because we thought back in the 1990s, that we needed to do more to elevate the rights and opportunities of women and girls on every level. Obviously, education and health and economic opportunity. But also to unleash the potential for involvement in ending conflict, for creating more secure environments for all people to live in and thrive. Back in 2011, we came here to georgetown to declare that the issue of womens full participation in peace and security could no longer be relegated to the margins of international affairs. [applause] sec. Clinton i believed then, and i believe even more fiercely today, that advancing the rights and full participation of women and girls is a great Unfinished Business of the 21st century. [applause] sec. Clinton it seems selfevident. It is not only the right and moral goal for us to be pursuing. After all, women represent half of humanity and we do have a fundamental right to participate in the decisions that shape our lives, but, and this is what i really want to impress upon you, this is strategic and necessary for matters of peace, prosperity and security. It is not a partisan issue. It is a human issue. A rising tide of womens rights lifts entire nations. So each year, when ive had the chance to come back for these awards, i am inspired although increasingly not surprised to see how far this institute has come. Georgetown is very fortunate to have my dear friend, ambassador revere at the helm and backed up fully by the leadership of the university. Fully by the leadership of the because the leaders, as the president just read out, that you recognize women and men alike whove come from different backgrounds, certainly different countries, but united in the belief that women are not only victims of war but must be viewed and helped to become agents of change, makers of peace and drivers of progress. That was the principle behind our efforts at the state department in the first term of president obama. We wanted to set a standard and im proud of it because i do see it as strategic and necessary. Not just a nice thing to do. On the margin somewhere, deep in the bowels of the state department, but front and center. Because standing up for the rights and opportunities of women and girls must be a cornerstone of american Global Leadership. And therefore, it must be woven throughout our Foreign Policy with the resources, staffing, accountability and attention needed to back up that commitment. [applause] sec. Clinton and what i was very pleased by and excited to know is how the u. S. Military also recognizes the role of women in peace and security. Over the years, i had the privilege of working alongside and standing beside some of our military leaders on this stage. The former vice chair of the joints chief of staff, the former undersecretary for defense for policy, helped to put new emphasis on stopping race and gender based violence in conflict zones and postconflict areas and empowering women to make and keep peace. This is especially important now when we have across the globe more than 60 million refugees, fleeing not only conflicts, but famine, drought and disease. We have to come to terms with that. Again, its not just somebody elses problem. It will affect the stability of nations and regions, which in turn could very well bring problems, whether it be conflict and terrorism or disease and criminal activity to our shores. So global progress depends on the progress of women. And i know weve seen positive results of that theme being actually implemented ever since the u. N. Womens conference in beijing in 1995. But i am here also to say, we are seeing signals of a shift that should alarm us all. This administrations proposed cuts to international health, development and diplomacy would be a blow to women and children, and a grave mistake for our country. Some of you may have seen the recent letter where 120 retired generals and admirals urged the congress and the white house not to retreat from these programs, which represent our values. These distinguished men and women who have served in uniform recognize that turning our back on diplomacy wont make our country safer. It will undermine our security and our standing in the world. Defense secretary mattis said it well, when he said, if you cut funds to the state department, that means he has to buy more ammunition. So the work that is done here at this institute here at georgetown, making the evidencebased case for the role of women in peace and security is incredibly important. Its always mattered, but today, its even more critical. As this institute has grown, so too has the body of evidence. Showing that when women participate in peacemaking and peacekeeping, we are all safer and more secure. Studies show that, here i go studies show here i go again, talking about research, evidence and facts. [applause] [loud cheers] sec. Clinton but in fact, when women are included in peace negotiations, agreements are less likely to fail and more likely to last. And we know that womens rights and physical safety are often the very first targets of fundamentalists. We also know that women are often the first to spot conflict on the horizon, coming their way. And when their insight and information is ignored, it often leads to consequences that might have been averted. At a time when Sexual Violence continues to be used as a strategy by terrorist groups, when women are being recruited by isis and boko haram, evidence suggests leaders who want to do more to guard against terrorism and violence should work even harder to help support and enable the participation of women. Now for anybody, before anybody jumps to any conclusions, i will state, clearly, women are not inherently more peaceful than men. That is a stereotype. [laughter] sec. Clinton that belongs in the alternative reality. [laughter] [applause] [loud cheers] sec. Clinton but, history does show that when women are at the peace table, they bring together coalitions and work really hard to build consensus. And they are the ones most likely to shine a bright light on issues of human rights, Transitional Justice, National Reconciliation and economic renewal. Ive seen this. Over the years, i worked with the women of Northern Ireland and watched as they reached across sectarian divides to forge a lasting peace. When that process started back in the 1990s, who would have ever predicted that martin mcguinness, who just passed away, would ever shake hands with Queen Elizabeth . Weve seen the women of liberia force an end to a bloody civil war. If youve never seen the movie pray the devil back to hell, i highly recommend it. Because it shows the points i am making from this podium today. The women of liberia went to where the men had been talking about ending the conflict for weeks and weeks. A hotel in ghana. They surrounded it and would not leave. They would not let those who had met to negotiate a peace out of a window or a door. Until they came to an agreement. And then of course, they ended up electing Ellen Johnson sirleaf as the first woman president on the continent of africa. [applause] sec. Clinton i have seen women in the democratic republic of congo survive the most horrific, almost unimaginable abuse and cruelty. And then summon the resilience to rebuild and help others go on. In colombia, which you will hear much more about in a few minutes, a country whose trajectory i have followed intently for years, weve seen women organize, educate and negotiate to help bring to a close more than 50 years of bloodshed. While conflict raged and efforts to stop the violence failed, women not only took their places at the table, they opened up the Peace Process to women across colombia and urged over and over again that all parties not walk away until they reached an agreement. So if we are to build more just, free and peaceful countries and indeed a world, its not enough to just Pay Lip Service to empowering women, we have to take seriously their concerns and give them the tools to be equal partners in helping to shape the world they inhabit. The leaders we are honoring today have seen that firsthand. From humberto de la calle, the rock of the peace negotiations in havana. [applause] sec. Clinton yes, a round of applause. [applause] sec. Clinton Maria Paulina riveros, one of two women appointed to represent the colombian government in the talks. [applause] sec. Clinton elena ambrosi, who has worked tirelessly behind the scenes, like so many women, to help make peace a reality. Im [applause] sec. Clinton and Jineth Bedoya, a journalist who continued her pursuit of the truth and her advocacy for victims of Sexual Violence in the face of her own horrors. [applause] sec. Clinton like so many Peace Agreements, as hard as it was to get to it after 50 years of war, it is just the first step. Implementing peace will be a constant task. As hard as it is to imagine letting go of the peace that is so hard won, there will be sides,at work from all to undermine it, to act as if it did not apply to them. To do Everything Possible to prevent it from becoming the reality in the lives of colombians that it can be. Yes, the work will require difficult decisions, Transitional Justice and economic viability. But peace is truly within reach. So, from Peace Processes like the one we celebrate today to important steps that nations and institutions are taking to recognize the role of women in confronting violent extremism and addressing Climate Change and standing up against terrorism and conflicts of all kinds, weve got to continue this work. And i, i am pleading that our government will continue its leadership role on behalf of peace in the world because the world must continue this work with or without u. S. Involvement. [applause] sec. Clinton and the choices are ours to make. In this complicated, interconnected, interdependent world of ours, it is not as if you can pick one or two or three things and you can say that is all i will work on. Events move too quickly. Borders dissolve in the face of pressures. The great connectivity of the internet can spawn both opportunity and despair. So we have to ask, will we be left behind or will we continue to lead the way . I hope the answer is that we will do whatever it takes to make our country and the world stronger and more secure. Standing up for our values, for human rights, and opportunities, security for all. And continuing to finish the business of making sure that girls and women have the same rights as men and boys. And by extending and guaranteeing those rights, unleashing human potential, the likes of which in the world has never seen. That is what i hope your generation, students of georgetown, will be committed to actually making a reality. Thank you all very much. [applause] [loud cheers] [applause] director verveer secretary clinton, it is clearly wonderful to have you back at georgetown. [laughter] [applause] director verveer good morning, everyone. Let me add my welcome to each one of you. I particularly want to acknowledge the relatives and friends of our honorees, many of whom have traveled here from colombia. [speaking spanish] [applause] director verveer and a welcome also to the representative of colombia to the United Nations, ambassador maria velez. She is a tremendous a leader. So welcome to her, too. [applause] director verveer to the dcm, members of the staff of the embassy of colombia, thank you for your tremendous help with this event. The u. S. Special envoy for the colombian Peace Process, bernie aronson, who knows some of this work. [applause] director verveer and to all the members of the diplomatic corps who are with us this morning. I especially want to mention the ambassador from norway. [applause] director verveer whom you saw in the film. Norway played a leading role in facilitating the Peace Process as a guarantor country, and similarly, the ambassador of chile, which was an accompanying country to the Peace Process. Welcome to both of them. Because of the critical roles their countries played especially. [applause] director verveer and let me just add, later this year, the institute will be releasing a study describing how the women in colombia are influencing the unfolding of the Transitional Justice process there. Now to the awards. The success of the peace accord in columbia, after more than five decades of violence, displacement, and loss of life, is an extraordinary achievement, one that does a great debt to the skillful negotiations and tireless commitments of humberto de la calle. He grew up in a time of conflict that claimed the lives of close to 200,000 people across the country. When he was six months old, his him in a basket from gunmen who forced his family their small coffee farm. With a passion for justice, he pursued a career in law. He went from teaching to an appointment as an associate justice to the supreme court. Mr. Della k. I. A. Mr. De la to servicemitment was further demonstrated by positions he held as colombias price resident, minister of the interior, ambassador to spain, the u. K. , the organization of american states, and other posts. In 2012, president santos appointed him to be the lead negotiator for the colombian government and peace talks with farc. With the world watching and many doubting a successful outcome, he with his calm demeanor, authority, and the respect he commanded from both sides of the table, demonstrated a tireless commitment and dedication to the process. He personally traveled to cuba 125 times. Bernie aronson, the u. S. Envoy to the talks, praised him, saying that he was the rock of the negotiations. He brought a lawyers precision to the substance, but a political leaders understanding of the larger context and public opinion. Also, as the lead negotiator, he appointed to women to the two women to the negotiating team, and supported the creation of the gender subcommission. It led to an unprecedented, inclusive process with him that was open and responsive to Civil Society. As he said when he announced the gender subcommission, we are aware that the conflict has shown no mercy on women. Bringing about unimaginable horror. The torch of reconciliation rests with the women of columbia. And now the citation. For his strong commitment to justice, peace, and public service, for his leaving the leading the peace talks in a spirit of respectful dialogue, and for ensuring the full participation of the women in the Peace Process. Georgetown is proud to present the 2017 Hillary Rodham clinton award for advancing women in peace and security to this man. Humberto de la calle. [applause] director verveer congratulations. [applause] director verveer the peace negotiations that resulted in a historic agreement, signed between the colombian government was all the more groundbreaking for addressing gender and minority rights issues. Following the advocacy by womens organizations at a summit in 2013, the summit on women and peace, that took place president santos appointed two women to have full decisionmaking power on behalf of the government in talks. Today, we are honored to have one of them, Maria Paulina riveros, with us. [applause] director verveer when president santos appointed ms. Riveros, he hailed her for an outstanding track record in the Public Sector on human rights. She came to the appointment from a distinguished legal career, including appointments to Legal Advisor to the commissioner for as director of human rights at the ministry of the interior. Her interest in the negotiations with the media, she cochaired the newly created subcommission on gender. This was acclaimed by the head of the u. N. Women as a unique mechanism in the history of conflict resolution. Working with her farc counterpart, the gender subcommission recognized that a focus on gender issues required much more than just involving women in peace talks. Now ms. S i eights announced somatic areas for the inclusion of a gender perspective at the peace accords. She also worked to implement best practices in the transition justice process, such as the creation of a special unit to investigate Sexual Violence crimes, which will be incredibly important in the days and weeks ahead. Today, her new role as the deputy prosecutor or the office for the office of the attorney general includes responsibilities to implement the promises of the Peace Agreement, perhaps the hardest job yet. Now the citation. For bringing a gender lens to the peace negotiations in colombia, for her leadership of the subcommission on gender which stands as an innovative model for the world for the inclusion of women in future Peace Processes, and for ensuring that the colombian Peace Process was reflective of the diversity of the colombian population, georgetown is proud to present the 2017 Hillary Rodham clinton award for advancing women in peace and security to Maria Paulina riveros. [applause] [applause] director verveer the Colombian Peace negotiations were an arduous process that began with secret exploratory meetings in 2011. While much of the spotlight was on the leaders of the government of colombia and on the farc, behind the scenes was a dedicated, often invisible team doing much of the heavy lifting. Today we honor one such individual, elena ambrosi, who represented the colombian government as part of the office of the high commissioner for peace. Ms. Ambrosi came to the peace negotiations from a distinguished legal career that focused on humanitarian law and international relations. Before joining the Negotiations Team during the exploratory phase, she had been human rights director of the Vice Ministry of defense. She was one of only three female witnesses among the 17 signatories to the 2012 framework agreement. She understood that gender play ed a significant role in the conflict, and it must also play a significant role in the Peace Process. She worked to represent gender issues in the negotiations and supported the formation of the gender subcommittee. Through the long negotiation process, she worked outside the limelight to draw up the official documents for the government and the initial basis for the proposals that were discussed at the negotiating table. Today she continues to defend human rights and ensure the success of the Peace Agreement as the Deputy Attorney for the support of victims of Armed Conflict and he demobilized. And the demobilized. We are pleased to be able to highlight ms. Ambrosis steadfast dedication and effort s to secure the Peace Agreement. Without her and countless other dedicated women and men, who worked tirelessly behind the scenes, the colombia Peace Agreement would not have been realized. Now to the citation. For ensuring that the Peace Process will forever be a model for womens participation and the gender inequality in future negotiations, and for her indefatigable efforts to secure a Peace Agreement, georgetown is proud to present the 2017 Hillary Rodham clinton award for advancing women in peace and security to elena ambrosi. [applause] director verveer Jineth Bedoya is a journalist who had been violently attack during the war. Both by the paramilitaries and the guerrillas. For her efforts to get at the truth regarding drugs and arms smuggling between the forces of state cartels and rival militias. In 2000, she went to what was considered to be one of the most dangerous prisons in the world, madelo. She had covered a story there earlier but returned after a massacre of prisoners by inmates belonging to rightwing paramilitary groups who were terrifying the country. When she arrived at the prison for an interview with a key member of the paramilitary, a man came up behind her, put a gun to her side, and told her she would be killed if she did not start walking. She was taken to a warehouse, her hands and feet were tied, she was blindfolded and thrown into a truck. She was driven a longdistance and then raped and tortured. Later learning of the scale of a rescue operation, her captors took her to the garbage dump and left her on the side of the road. She remembered that as she was being raped, the perpetrators of the crimes against her said, the attention. Pay attention. We are sending a message to the press in colombia. She mustered her strength some weeks later and return to work at el tiempo, the largest circulation newspaper in colombia. In 2003, she was traveling to meet with the farc for a story when she and the photographer with her were kidnapped, humiliated, and beaten. They were released after a week of this. On her own time, she began to contact other women who were also victims of Sexual Violence. In 2009, she broke her silence. She said that she had met so many women who had experiences similar to hers, yet the state did not recognize these crimes. Only when she began to document Sexual Violence against women as a weapon of the war, she and others began to understand the scale of the violence and widespread impunity for tens of thousands of rapes. She pursued her own case, and when she did, she discovered that evidence had been destroyed, and her case has languished. She began a campaign with the Colombian Federation for a free press, calling for the investigation and prosecution in the criminal Justice System and to drive attention to Sexual Violence, as well as to bring her case before the Interamerican Commission for human rights. It was a campaign for herself, but it was a campaign for the women victims of Sexual Violence in colombia. This was uppermost in her mind. Her hope was to end the stigma and the silence surrounding it. Thanks to years of activism by women in Civil Society like her, the crime of Sexual Violence has been addressed openly by the records. Accords. As part of the traditional justice measures, there will be a special unit to investigate cases of Sexual Violence and the and rape is included among the list of crimes for which perpetrators are to be denied amnesty. Now the citation. For her courage in reporting and taking risks to uncover the truth, for her persistence in putting a spotlight on the horrors of conflict related Sexual Violence, for exposing the abuses and impunity, and for demanding that the government Pay Attention to the survivors, for using her voice on behalf of those who cannot speak out or be heard, georgetown is proud to present to Jineth Bedoya the 2017 Hillary Rodham clinton award for advancing women in peace and security. [applause] director verveer we are going to have a little conversation now with our wonderful honorees. I will throw out the first question, but then i have been given a number of questions that the students have asked to put forward. We will get everyone with their translation. Are we all set . Let me ask each of you, what was the most challenging part of the process, and what, today, are you most proud of . Even understanding there is so much more to do to make this work. Shelley start with you . Shall we start with you . Thank you, ambassador. I wrote a speech for today but i am not going to read it. [laughter] i will leave it in your hands, ambassador. Let me say, before i answer i am going to answer all the questions. Let me say two or three things about this. First of all, i would like to thank Georgetown University and the institute for women, peace, and security for honoring the colombian process, the negotiations with the award Hillary Rodham clinton for advancing peace and security. It is a real honor for all of us, for the process, for the colombian women. I say it from the heart. [applause] mr. De la calle the colombian agreement, without any doubt, will progress womens rights, but even more importantly, it guarantees a gender approach in peacemaking and peace building. As a result, in colombia, women have been deported in which the vortex in which the wrath of the conflict has concentrated more intensely, but it is where the hope of reconciliation of our future rests. Official members show that despite the fact that more than three quarters of combatants were men, more than half of registered victims are women. Women have suffered all kinds of victimization, including forced displacement, all types of Sexual Violence, forceful disappearances, torture, and kidnapping among others. Let me give you a couple of examples of the type of affirmative action measures that were decided by the gender commission. One of the agreements about rural development, we established that women who are heads of their household should have priority to access credit s to buy land and hunger elimination programs in rural areas. [applause] calle in item two of the agenda about political participation, the agreement states that the mechanisms created to expand democracies such as the additional congressional seats to represent areas of the country most affected by the Armed Conflict should encourage the participation of women. Also, i would like to take a moment to express my deepest words of appreciation to the women of the government delegation, Maria Paulina, and elena being honored today, and the other women on the negotiation team. Your tireless enthusiasm, leadership, and perseverance were our drive in the most difficult moments of the Peace Process. Please know that the country will always be in debt with you with the sacrifices you have made in order to build a piece model that has women in its heart. [applause] mr. De la calle and for my wife here, thanks a lot [laughter] [applause] thanks a lot for your patience and your support. Jineth, let me say this agreement was made for women like you. We were not only inspired by your courage but also because we hope to build a colombia where no women suffer any types of violence. [applause] mr. De la calle mrs. Clinton, your career is an example for all women and the role that women can play in International Politics and peace building efforts. [applause] [cheers and applause] it is an honor for us to receive this award from you. You have become an inspiration for men and women around the you have become an inspiration for men and women around the world. Let me invite you to colombia. [laughter] [applause] invite you to colombia, where you can see for yourself, the first crops that are nursed from peace, so you can help us between men and women in the peace building phase. Finally, i cannot finish this speech without mentioning bernie aronson. Bernies discretion and wisdom opened doors in the most difficult moments of the negotiation. Today, colombia is one step closer to achieving a long and stable peace. However, im convinced that we will only overcome violence when we remove from our behavior all traces of arbitrariness. Typical of those who claim the imposition of ideal models, be them political, economic, religious, cultural, or genderbased. Peace is possible. You but the torch of reconciliation will rest in the hands of the women of colombia. [applause] now the question. Thank you for the wonderful statement. Humberto de la Calle Lombana i would shift to spanish. [speaking spanish] the greatest difficulty for me, it was a surprise was that , this idea is basic and strategic for the future of colombia were in fact applauded throughout the world. [speaking spanish] there is a lot of hatred in colombia and we need to overcome it. [speaking spanish] a miracle is happening. The farc has moved to temporary zones. Their arms have been checked by the u. N. And the process related to their weapons will be completed june 1. [speaking spanish] the Biggest Challenges ahead of us has to do with preserving the achievements we have had. We need to get together the wills of all colombians so that we do not move backwards with regard to what we have achieved. [speaking spanish] the biggest achievement we have had thus far is that since the ceasefire there has not been one more victim due to the conflict with the farc. [applause] [speaking spanish] but also i am going beyond the end of the words mrs. Clinton was saying. We have a strategic opportunity now with this equality and the rights of women after this war. Thank you. Maria paulina, do you want to say anything . [speaking spanish] thank you. I believe the greatest difficulty we face when we were sitting at the negotiating table was how to make people understand the need for a change of vision. A change of vision so that we can comprehend the crucial roles that women in colombia have played during this over 50 years of conflict. Ms. Riveros [speaking spanish] and i am talking about the role women played in all of this years. Women as victims but also as peace builders. Women who were mothers, family members, professionals, advisers, all the women in their roles during the conflict inside as well. Ms. Riveros [speaking spanish] and my greatest pride has to do with the fact that today we can show women in colombia and around the world this example of establishing of a framework that allows women to behave in all of those roles. [applause] ms. Ambrosi [speaking spanish] i believe the process like any Peace Process is filled with difficulties. Ms. Ambrosi [speaking spanish] focusing on just one of these challenges is hard because of how many we faced in the process. Ms. Ambrosi [speaking spanish] the biggest one was having to live far away from my children for five years. Ms. Ambrosi [speaking spanish] and the second one was the work with all of these advisors that helped us in the preparation of the agreement. Ms. Ambrosi [speaking spanish] and the drafting of those 310 pages together with the farc, this was the minimum of what had to be done. We were working with them even though we had this completely different vision of the country and what had to be done. Ms. Ambrosi [speaking spanish] the biggest pride i feel has to do with the drafting of that agreement. It was an agreement, as i said before, where both parties sought and Work Together without mediators. It was at the u. N. Every word, every phrase we wrote, we had to create consensus among those parties. Ms. Ambrosi [speaking spanish] this is what i can leave my children with today after these five years of participation in the process. Thank you. [applause] ms. Lima [speaking spanish] i would like to remind you of five things, words that i said five days ago before the u. N. Ms. Lima [speaking spanish] [applause] [cheers] i love speaking in spanish because this shows that we do not need to share language to be able to change the world. [applause] ms. Lima [speaking spanish] i am a survivor of Sexual Violence and im a journalist. Ms. Lima [speaking spanish] and i understood at the time to be a part of the Peace Process was the right time. Ms. Lima [speaking spanish] because people did not want to address Sexual Violence in the framework of the Peace Process. Ms. Lima [speaking spanish] women who have suffered Sexual Violence in colombia continue to be invisible. Ms. Lima [speaking spanish] sitting down at that table to give voice to millions of victims of sexual abuse was the biggest challenge i had ahead of me as a citizen and also as a survivor. Ms. Lima [speaking spanish] and i hope i did a good job. Ms. Lima [speaking spanish] i think we did a good job. [applause] ms. Lima [speaking spanish] because survivors of Sexual Violence, not only in colombia but around the world, we are no longer invisible. Ms. Lima [speaking spanish] [applause] women are no longer invisible. Ms. Lima [speaking spanish] and i believe that is the most important thing the Peace Process can leave for colombia and the world. This Peace Process has allowed for victims and for women to no longer be invisible. Thank you. [applause] well, thanks to each of you for those really inspiring reflections, which i know will long stay with us. We now have some questions from the students. The first one is from mark. Mcniskin . I hope i have not butchered your name. Who is in the business school, class of 2020. What is being done, and what will be done, to reconcile those colombians who opposed to peace opposed the Peace Agreement to the farcs participation in colombian politics . Perhaps, mr. De la calle, you want to take this. [speaking spanish] so first, we need to realize that this instant photograph that we have seen today, this polarization, differences among different parts of the country, and public opinion, is just a temporary picture. We must see, as the records start bearing fruit, colombians will understand what we have done is correct. And that is putting an end to the war and that we are going to bring all the wills together so that there will be no going back on the agreements. Mr. De la calle [speaking spanish] this is what we have achieved so far, not only putting an end to the conflict and to the handing over of the arms by the combatants. As i said, what has happened in the country is a miracle. We have to realize this is no small feat. It is not a little peace. These agreements have brought about the possibility for transformation. And as we make headway, we will see the dialogue, respect, and the promotion of human rights will make colombians understand that this is the way, the path that we have undertaken, the transformation, peace and tolerance. Ms. Verveer thank you. [applause] ms. Verveer this question is from amalia, who is in the school of foreign service, class of 2020. How do you think the inclusion of a special committee on gender will serve as the model for future peace talks . What do you hope for, given what you went through, others will learn from this . Do you want to start, maria . Ms. Riveros [speaking spanish] as you all know, the creation of a gender subcommittee that is exclusively dedicated to gender issues within the context of an Armed Conflict is the First Experience of this sort in the world. Ms. Riveros [speaking spanish] that is why this First Experience is starting to bear its first fruit. An example of that is being on this stage today. Ms. Riveros [speaking spanish] but it will especially be useful so that women in every sense ms. Riveros [speaking spanish] can continue participating as we have in the construction of this peace accord. Ms. Riveros [speaking spanish] and its implementation as well. Ms. Riveros [speaking spanish] personally, i can say, in my case ms. Riveros [speaking spanish] it will serve as a mechanism to implement the administration of justice. Thank you. [applause] ms. Verveer and we will do our best to get your story out. This question is from bryce, school of foreign service, class of 2019. How can the colombian government build upon the models set in the Peace Agreement with the farc, and what lessons can be applied to the ongoing negotiations with the eln . Mr. De la calle [speaking spanish] it seems to me that what has happened with the peace accord is that this has become a model. It is Justice Without impunity. We are not granting amnesty to those who have broken the law, and it resorts to accountability for all the parts involved, not only the government but the farc and armed combatants. Ms. Riveros [speakingcalle spanish] in another sense, the agreement is innovative. Mr. De la calle [speaking spanish] for example, the system to verify the cease and desist of the military confrontations. Mr. De la calle [speaking spanish] it is the first time that a threeparty organization or body has created, represented by both parts of the conflict under the umbrella of the United Nations. Mr. De la calle [speaking spanish] there are innovative ways of incorporating the favelas into local life and the economy as well. Mr. De la calle [speaking spanish] the farc has assumed the commitment of ceasing all activities as all illegal activities. Mr. De la calle [speaking spanish] and to cooperate with the state and the solution of a global problem of drug trafficking. Mr. De la calle [speaking spanish] and to turn over an inventory of all their assets for the reation recreation reparation of the victims. Mr. De la calle [speaking spanish] there is much to be said, but first of all, i have to express my conviction that this agreement will be useful for colombia but also is an example of innovation, especially with the creation of the gender subcommittee. It has set a global precedent. Mr. De la calle [speaking spanish] the eln has different characteristics to those of farc. They do not operate in the same way. Mr. De la calle [speaking spanish] it has a decentralized command structure which, in and of itself, is a difficulty facing this problem. Mr. De la calle [speaking spanish] we believe that this is going to start bearing fruit through this process. We have said this is not the time for weapons or arms. There is no room for arms and violence, and i believe the eln will start to understand this is their historical opportunity to become reintegrated into colombian society. Ms. Verveer thank you. [applause] ms. Verveer we are coming to the end of our time together but im going to ask this last question. And then, at the same time, perhaps we can have a final word from each of you that you would like to leave us with based with your experience, and more especially, Going Forward now. This question is about Going Forward. How can the International Community support colombia in the days and weeks ahead in the implementation of the agreement, and how can we support Civil Society as the implementation goes forward . Everybody can weigh in. [speaking spanish] i believe the International Community has a very Important Role to play at this time. [speaking spanish] especially this country. [speaking spanish] when the Peace Process was signed and a new government was inaugurated in the u. S. Ms. Lima [speaking spanish] the social leaders in colombia, leaders survival, we all felt some sort of fear. Ms. Lima [speaking spanish] we feared we would have to go back to the times of the plan colombia where millions of dollars were spent on weapons, and helicopters that were used for the fight against drug trafficking. Ms. Lima [speaking spanish] but i believe that colombia has now taken a very, very different path. Ms. Lima [speaking spanish] and what we truly have to support are the projects that are being implemented in the regions that will really make a difference in the Peace Process. Ms. Lima [speaking spanish] that is where the future of colombia lies, spending more in social projects, so we can give a new face to our country, a country that has been besieged by 50 years of civil war. Ms. Lima [speaking spanish] that is the best support we can get from the International Community. Thank you. [applause] ms. Ambrosi [speaking spanish] i think the agreement has a robust mechanism for implementation and followup where the International Community has an Important Role to play. Ms. Ambrosi [speaking spanish] as mr. De la calle just said, there is a verification system under the umbrella of the United Nations which is also extremely important. Ms. Ambrosi [speaking spanish] and we have assigned a list of countries and organizations that will be in charge of enforcing the implementation of the accords. Ms. Ambrosi [speaking spanish] i think this is the right time for the International Community to support us in the implementation and the followup with the help of technical assistance. Ms. Ambrosi [speaking spanish] but especially by supporting our social organizations. Ms. Ambrosi [speaking spanish] the peace accord in colombia will be built on the basis of the support that we will receive from different organizations in the region. Ms. Ambrosi [speaking spanish] we have amazing leaders in these areas that we need to support with technical and economic support so that they can complement and bring fruit to the Peace Process. Ms. Ambrosi [speaking spanish] and also to answer the question that was asked, i believe the colombian Peace Process has been an amazing example, because it is an inclusive agreement. Ms. Ambrosi [speaking spanish] an agreement that is based and focused on victims and survivors. Ms. Ambrosi [speaking spanish] it is also an agreement that is going to help overcome the historical condition of women in the country. Ms. Ambrosi [speaking spanish] it also focuses on the rights of the minorities in our country, which includes Indigenous People and african descendents. [applause] ms. Ambrosi [speaking spanish] i believe that this main focus on rights is going to be a wonderful example to other peace accords in the world. Ms. Ambrosi thank you. [applause] ms. Riveros [speaking spanish] well, my colleagues have said most of the comments i was going to make, but i believe i can say that the biggest contribution on the side of the International Community has been the fact that they have realized it is not a matter of just one country. They have provided us both economic and political support, which have been essential for this engine that has made now peace to be a reality in columbia. I believe that the support will be fundamental during the implementation process. [applause] mr. De la calle [speaking spanish] i would change the question and ask colombians themselves, how can you explain how is there so much support for the Peace Process while in columbia there are those who are focusing on such minor matters . Mr. De la calle [speaking spanish] and the answer has to do with the fact that this has to do with the future of the country. This is an opportunity for transformation. Here we are not talking just about a military issue or a bureaucratic issue. This is a spiritual issue. It is only in their spirits that colombians will find a space for reconciliation. Mr. De la calle [speaking spanish] the fact that reconciliation is possible becomes apparent when you hear her. She is a victim and she has suffered terrible things, but you can see in her words the opening up of the space of the reconstruction of the social fabric of colombia. Mr. De la calle [speaking spanish] [applause] with regards to the role of Civil Society in colombia, this is what will determine the chance of a strong and lasting peace, peace that does not belong to the government. It does not belong to the negotiators. It does not belong to the farc. Peace belongs to every colombian. [applause] ms. Verveer and the last word. [speaking spanish] i simply wanted to add one more thing. [speaking spanish] i could not leave this Beautiful University without sharing a message with you. [speaking spanish] this message is for some of the rulers in the world. Ms. Lima [speaking spanish] forget that Sexual Violence against women is a crime. [applause] ms. Lima [speaking spanish] those people in office cannot forget that Sexual Violence against women is a crime. Ms. Lima [speaking spanish] and we the women in many corners of the world are ready to continue to raise our voices and fight for our rights. [applause] [cheers] ms. Verveer thank you so much for those last words, which are so appropriate to leave with us today, to keep with the hard challenges ahead. Thanks to each of you for the experiences you have shared with us, for your example, for your leadership, for your commitment. Know that we will be with you in the days ahead and we say godspeed to each and everyone of you and to all of your colleagues at home. Blessed indeed are the peacemakers. You have shown us that. [applause] to all of you who are here, thank you for coming. Please continue this work. I know you were inspired. Please stay in your seats so our guests can leave. Thank you all. [applause] [chatter] [captioning performed by the national captioning institute, which is responsible for its caption content and accuracy. Visit ncicap. Org] journalns washington live everyday with news and policy issues that impact you. Coming up friday morning, we will be talking to political reporters from six states with republican senators whose votes are key to passing a Health Care Bill and ask what they are hearing from their constituents. Be sure to watch cspans washington journal friday morning. Join the discussion. Cspan, anight on look at Race Relations in the u. S. With Harvard University sociology professor and officer William Julius wilson on what he calls income and rangd residentl segregation. The discussion was held earlier this year at stanford university. In order to keep things in proper perspective when talking about the relative gains of more privileged blacks, it is important not to overlook the continuing interracial disparities. From thele, a report center for economic and policy Research Reveals that before the great recession, there was only percentage point difference in the unemployment get between recent black and White College graduates aged 22 to 27. Afterr, in 2013, shortly the economic downturn, the gap 7. 5 percentage point difference. Obviously a factor at play here, because historically the periods during and immediately after downturns have adversely impacted blacks more than whites. On friday, a forum on race in america, income and residential inequality, and the impact of the Trump Presidency on Race Relations on cspan. This weekend on book tv on cspan2, saturday at 11 00 p. M. Eastern, pat buchanan talks about his book, nixons white house wars, about his time as the speechwriter in Senior Adviser to Richard Nixon. There were going to break nixon as they had broken lyndon johnson. At the end of that year, a divisive year in america, Richard Nixon was at 68 approval in the gallup poll. Astonishing. He was nixon, seven years before, written off as the biggest loser in american politics. Roxaneay, essayist gay discusses her life, her body , and its impact on her life, in her memoir, hunger. Shes like, i did it. I just thought, i cant write that book yet. And i want to write that book. Why dont i tell the story of my body today, without apology, just explanation this is my fat body and this is what it is like to be in this world. For more, go to book tv. Org. The National Constitution center in philadelphia held its third annual freedom day celebration, marking the launch of the centers national commission, looking at how James Madison might view congress, the presidency, the courts, and the media today. This is