EGAP 29 in Review: Medellín, June 2025
Author: Clara Bradley
At our first in-person meeting of 2025, 40 EGAP members and friends gathered at Universidad EAFIT in Medellín, Colombia. The meeting was hosted by EGAP Board Member Santiago Tobón, (Valor Público EAFIT), and included two theme streams: (1) Crime & Inequality; (2) Open/General.
To kick off, attendees took part in the policy pre-event, “Medellín’s Terrible Tradeoff: Lower Violence, Stronger Gangs.” Situating the research topic within the local context, Santiago Tobón presented his research on Medellín’s experience reducing violence and managing organized crime. Attendees then participated in a guided visit to Medellín’s La Sierra neighborhood, an area historically known for high levels of violence and gang presence. In recent years, the community has benefited from extensive public investment, improving infrastructure and social conditions, although local gangs still maintain significant control. Medellín City Councillor Andrés Tobón joined the group for the walk and a closing discussion focussed on the policy challenges posed by Medellín’s experience.
Throughout the next two days, 12 presenters received thoughtful feedback on papers and research designs from fellow participants. Attendees remarked on the unique opportunity to engage in deep discussion amongst peers, with one attendee describing the feedback sessions as continuing “to be an unparalleled good.”
In addition to feedback sessions, networking, and knowledge sharing, the meeting also provided a space to reflect on the work of EGAP’s Latin America Regional Hub to date and consider potential future directions for the Hub. Finally, the event closed out with a panel discussion on the challenges of the current development landscape. Thank you to all panelists and chairs that contributed thoughts, expertise, and skillfully led complex conversations amongst a diverse group.
We are deeply grateful to all the participants, hosts, and supporters who made the event such a success! See the full list of meeting participants here.
