Supporting Colombia’s Reintegration and Reincorporation Efforts

A number of GTE’s efforts are focused on supporting the Colombian government’s reintegration of ex-combatants back into Colombian society. The dynamics of post-conflict situations are complex, but the objective is simple: to support the country’s efforts at achieving lasting peace. Creating economic opportunities is one of the critical issues facing the reintegration of 13,000 ex-combatants back into Colombian society.

Providing these individuals with viable economic opportunities is instrumental in ensuring their successful transition from a life marked by conflict and violence to one characterized by stability and productivity. By facilitating access to employment, training, and entrepreneurship opportunities, GTE contributes to the broader objective of encouraging ex-combatants to become self-sufficient, law-abiding citizens. When individuals are gainfully employed and can support themselves and their families through legitimate means, they are far less likely to revert to the activities that led to their involvement in conflict.

GTE’s successful reintegration and peace process will help strengthen the civil society and the economic underpinnings of the country. GTE has been recognized for its commitment to multiple Human Rights projects supporting Colombia’s reintegration efforts by the Agency for Reincorporation and Normalization (ARN).

GTE’s reintegration contributions are made through the following Human Rights programs:

• Cacao Nurseries
  This program created by Gran Tierra Energy and Fedecacao provided participants with nurseries and the opportunity to grow and sell cacao with technical support and guidance from experts in the field.
• Preventing Child Recruitment Program
  This program works to prevent the forced recruitment of girls and boys by using football as a unifying tool for children to learn about conflict resolution, prosocial behaviour development and other important life skills. Ex-combatants, who are reintegrated into society, have an opportunity to share their stories and teach future generations how and why to avoid recruitment.

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Preventing Child Recruitment in Putumayo

Gran Tierra Energy, the FC Barcelona Foundation and Colombia’s Agency for Reincorporation and Normalization (ARN), continue their strategic alliance to increase resilience in vulnerable children and reduce their susceptibility to two important Human Rights concerns in the area: substance abuse and militia recruitment. Financed by GTE, the program is implemented by the Youth Violence Prevention […]

Addressing Legacy Threats to Human Safety

One of the most significant Human Rights threats throughout Colombia is the prevalence of anti-personnel mines and other explosive devices that are an unfortunate legacy of the decades-long conflict in the country. To address this risk in southern Putumayo where the Company undertakes exploration and development activities, GTE launched a Humanitarian Demining Pilot Project in […]

Engaging Leading Human Rights Experts

GTE and renowned business and human rights experts Shift first collaborated in 2019 to identify and work to address human rights issues related to GTE’s business operations and value chain. Shift is the leading centre of expertise on the United Nations Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights (UNGPs). The nonprofit organization is chaired by […]

Protecting Human Rights in Ecuador

As a new operator in a country, Gran Tierra must contend with industry legacy impacts that the region may have had. While it is a new company for local Ecuadorian populations in the Sucumbíos province, Gran Tierra’s international experience as a responsible business partner has prepared it well to meaningfully engage communities and manage Human […]

Strengthening Human Rights Throughout the Supply Chain

GTE expects contractors and suppliers to maintain business practices consistent with its own standards for its employees and operations including respect for Human Rights. While these expectations are embedded into GTE’s corporate policies and practices, the supply chain is an important Human Rights risk factor, especially with the large number of local vendors without policies […]

Supporting our Stakeholders with Human Rights Training

One of the main pillars of GTE’s Human Rights work involves integrating its policies and concepts into its business. This effort requires extensive training with internal stakeholders to ensure they understand and adhere to the Company’s policies which are designed to protect rights. This includes: Training sessions for a variety of external stakeholders focus on […]