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1 Nov 2011 • Various Colombia

Colombia: "Les Montes de Maria cast their votes for the children"

- Published by Darcissac, Marion

2738_afichetierravotacin_embed On the occasion of municipal and regional elections, Terre des hommes launched a campaign aimed at convincing the candidates to include the subject of childhood in their political programmes. Thanks to this campaign, people were also kept informed about the proposals of the candidates running for the town council, the regional government and the regional assembly of Bolivar.

Inform people about political commitment

With posters, debates between candidates, articles in the press, Terre des hommes was deeply involved in “Les Montes de Maria cast their votes for the children” through their campaign run in September and October. During this campaign a real dialogue was opened, shaped by the democratic values promoted in the Colombian constitution of 1991 between the State, civil society and the people from the region of Les Montes de Maria (Carmen de Bolivar, San Jacinto, San Juan, Arroyo Hondo). In the debates, candidates presented their electoral programmes, especially on the subject of child rights protection, to the citizens who were to vote for them on 30th October. These discussions highlighted the social, political, economic and cultural situation of Les Montes de Maria, in particular the fields affecting children. Mayors, governors, town councillors and elected deputies could thus begin plans to benefit the children with respect for their rights.

Protect children and citizenship

Numerous non-governmental organisations active in the field of democratic governance were also involved in Tdh’s campaign and could improve their work coordination.

And so, by involving politicians, humanitarian and community organisations, this campaign generated a real process of advocacy aimed at improving the free exercise of citizenship and encouraging the participation of the general public. This strategy of advocacy, a big premiere for Terre des hommes in Colombia, should help to bring the subject of childhood into the centre of the local political agenda in a region torn by violence.