Students dancing to highlight Plan's Learn Without Fear campaign to end violence against children in schools

Plan’s work in Colombia covers 6 core areas, all of which are rooted in the rights of the child and aim to develop a culture of peace in the country:

• support for internally displaced children
• early childhood care and development
• improving the quality of education and preventing violence in schools
• youth participation as active citizens
• responsibilities of family, community and state to protect children and their rights
• social mobilisation for development.

Support for internally displaced children

The objective of this programme is to work in partnership with communities, government and other institutions to restore the rights of the 2,000,000 children displaced by violence in Colombia. It works to:

• ensure that health care and nutrition are covered and helps prevent disease among children and youths by promoting best practice in care and self-care
• promote an inclusive and appropriate response by schools to the needs of displaced children Plan works with education secretaries of municipalities and with school councils to include more displaced children and give special attention to their needs
• encourage families and communities to reduce the incidence of infectious diseases by adopting good sanitary practices
• promote understanding of the psychological impact of forced displacement on children and advocate for children’s rights to be restored.

Early childhood care and development

Investment in the first 5 years of a child’s life has the highest returns because at this critical stage of development it is vital to ensure adequate nutrition, health and early stimulation.

Plan supports the government to improve child care centres, providing adequate nutrition, recreation, sanitation and special care as well as prevention from sexual abuse.  Plan also works with parents and carers to develop skills to look after young children.

Quality education and prevention of violence in schools

Focussed on children aged 6–12, this programme addresses 2 main areas:

• improve educational standards, in an integrated manner including training teachers to treat children with respect and by improving their teaching skills
• working with children and parents to improve family relations and prevent violence in schools.

Youth participation as active citizens

In a society long affected by violence, this programme encourages youths to solve their conflicts peacefully. It also works with young people to care for their health, and be responsible about their sexuality as well as to develop and explore their personal interests.  Plan has supported networks, where more than 15,000 youth across the country replicate their experience with others.

Responsibilities of family, community and state to protect children and their rights

This programme targets those responsible for guaranteeing children’s rights – the state, communities and the family. Children learn about their rights and responsibilities and become engaged in the leadership of their communities.

Social mobilisation for development

Plan seeks to raise awareness of rights violations and to foster solidarity among society as a whole.  We work on public policies that target children’s rights.  Plan actively supports local and national government to focus their development plans on children’s issues and ensures that children and youth participate in the process.