Latin America and Caribbean Centre (LACC) and LSE Ideas welcomed the President of Colombia, Juan Manuel Santos, to LSE to speak on the Legacy of Peace. The event took place as part of his state visit to the UK, the first ever by a Colombian President.
President Santos, an LSE Alumnus, spoke warmly about his time at the university and the formative role that the School has played in the ideas that have shaped his public life.
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n his speech to the LSE community and invited guests, the President spoke about the journey and future path to peace, which he described as important for his country, the region and the world. President Santos explained how the surprising No vote in the plebiscite on the peace agreement had been used as an opportunity for a national dialogue to negotiate a new agreement with the FARC. The President affirmed his commitment to creating a stable and long-lasting peace that satisfies the needs of the poorest and most vulnerable in Colombia.
The lecture ended with a ceremony that saw the signing of an agreement that grants mutual recognition of academic degrees from Colombia and the UK. This agreement, witnessed by President Santos, was signed by Nestor Osorio, the Colombian ambassador to the UK, and Jo Johnson, Minister of State for Universities, Science, Research and Innovation, on behalf of their governments.