Multidimensional obstacles to the reconversion of enmity into adversariality from a peace education approach

Since the signing of the 2016 Colombian Peace Agreement, its signatories face not only the challenge of reincorporation into society, but also a process through which their image as enemies must be transformed into that of democratic adversaries. This research addresses the following question: What multidimensional educational obstacles do the signatories of the Agreement face that hinder their reconversion from enemies into adversaries and their effective reincorporation into society? A qualitative methodology was used to analyze the interviews conducted by the Colombian Truth Commission between 2018 and 2022, considering three temporal moments: before joining the armed group, during armed life, and after the signing of the Peace Agreement. The findings identify multiple obstacles related to education across these three moments, which pose challenges to effective reincorporation, the transformation of enmity, and the strengthening of democracy from a peace education approach.