María Victoria Llorente

Biography

*[Bio Maria Victoria Llorente]* Political scientist from Universidad de Los Andes, expert on peacebuilding, crime and violence, and security issues. Since 2006, she has served as Executive Director of the Ideas for Peace Foundation (Fundacion Ideas para la Paz, FIP). Between 1998 and 2006, she was an associate researcher at the Center for Studies on Economic Development (CEDE) at Universidad de Los Andes, where she coordinated the Public Peace research group and led numerous studies on violence, security, and criminal justice in Colombia. From 1988 to 1994, she served as an advisor to the National Peace Commissioner, the National Security Advisor, and the Ministry of National Defense. Throughout her career, she has worked as a consultant for multilateral organizations and Colombian public institutions on projects related to peacebuilding, dialogue, citizen security, crime prevention, police reform, and drug policy. She has also participated in various advisory boards and commissions for the National Government, including the Crime Policy Commission (2011–2012 and 2023 to present), the Drug Policy Commission (2013–2014), and the Special Mission for the National Police (2003–2004). Since 2022, she has been a member of the National Conciliation Commission, an advisory body on peace-related matters for the Colombian Episcopal Conference. She has co-authored several books and published numerous articles on these topics.