Territorial Social Dialogue. Theoretical and Practical Contributions from the Experience of Buenaventura, Colombia

Abstract

Objective/Context: We analyze the political scope and methodological challenges involved in territorial social dialogue in Buenaventura (Colombia), where the daily struggles of communities revolve around the defense of their right to live in peace and with dignity in their territory. Methodology: The article is based on a case study on the relationship between social dialogue and reconciliation, that was part of a participatory research project conducted between 2019 and 2020 in Buenaventura. The analysis draws on theoretical contributions from the literature on the "local turn" in peacebuilding, works on conflict transformation, studies of dialogue, and the decolonial turn. Conclusions: Despite being useful in practical terms, social dialogue has been prone to conceptual uncertainty. Based on the Buenaventura case study, we conclude that: i) territorial social dialogue is an ontological, political, and historical resource that can be used by various social actors and local communities to confront the imagination and challenge hegemonic planning on development in their territory; and ii) it is characterized by political and methodological virtues, as well as by some gray areas yet to be explored. Originality: The artilce examines the little-known experience of territorial social dialogue in Buenaventura. In addition, we warn about the challenges and difficulties of social dialogue when both social contracts required to live in peace and dignity in a territory are at stake, and where certain influential actors are antagonistic to (or reluctant to engage in) dialogue.