21 July to 28 July

A woman of conviction: opening the door to peace

In 2002, while she was a Colombian presidential candidate, Ingrid Betancourt was kidnapped by FARC, the Revolutionary Armed Forces in Colombia, a 'guerrillera' organisation that has engaged in extortion, kidnapping, torture, 'disappearing' people and massacres since the 1960s. On 2nd July this year, her release and that of fourteen other prisoners was secured through a covert operation that involved Colombian security forces masquerading as guerrilleros. During her six years in captivity she endured terrible conditions and was moved from place to place in chains, which she tried '.to wear. with dignity', because 'When you have a chain around your neck, you have to.try to accept your fate without succumbing entirely to humiliation, without forgetting who you are.'

Despite her dreadful experiences Betancourt began political work again as soon as she was free, contacting many Latin American presidents, calling for peace. In what seems like a gesture of celebratory defiance, she is still carrying the makeshift rosary she made during her time in captivity. A symbol of dignity and honour in the face of adversity, she offers an example of what can be achieved by a person of conviction for whom peace and forgiveness is possible, even after huge personal suffering.

Ayeray Medina Bustos, PhD student 'Reconciliation after Conflict in Argentina', and Gavin Fairbairn, Running Stream Professor of Ethics and Language, School of Applied Global Ethics.