The “Safe Horizons” project will be implemented in Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru by Plan International, with the support of GRE-LAC and funding from the European Union.
Latin America and the Caribbean is one of the most vulnerable regions to climate change, violence, and conflict. More than 169 million children and adolescents live in areas affected by climate and environmental crises, and floods are expected to displace millions more in the coming years. Additionally, attacks on education and school disruptions due to disasters continue to threaten childhood and adolescence across the region.
In response to the educational challenges facing the Andean region due to emergencies, climate change, disasters, and violence, Plan International—a global humanitarian and development organization—is launching the “Safe Horizons” initiative in coordination with the Ministries of Education in the Andean countries. Supported by the European Union and with technical assistance from the Regional Education Group for Latin America and the Caribbean (GRE-LAC), the project aims to strengthen the resilience of schools in Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru.
The alarming increase in violence and insecurity, compounded by humanitarian emergencies of all kinds—including wildfires, floods, migration flows, and armed conflicts in Latin America and the Caribbean—has left no respite. For this reason, the initiative seeks to create a network of Safe Schools aligned with national school protection frameworks, promoting a comprehensive approach to ensure educational continuity during emergencies and benefiting over 85,000 students and educational communities.
“Education during emergencies can save lives, contributing to the economic prosperity of individuals and societies. Children and adolescents who have lost access to these systems require adaptable, flexible, and innovative models to guarantee the protection of children’s rights, even in times of climate emergencies or forced migration,” stated Carmen Elena Alemán, Director of Plan International for Latin America and the Caribbean.
About the event
As a tool for public and policy advocacy, this space will present the educational protection priorities and ideals of children and adolescents in the Andean countries. Furthermore, participating countries will formally commit to creating a subregional network of Safe Schools, aiming to strengthen cooperation and coordinated actions among key stakeholders.
The launch of “Safe Horizons” was held on October 29 and 30, 2024, in Quito, Ecuador, with the presence of high-level representatives from the Ministries of Education of the Andean countries, international organizations such as the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR), the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), and the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), as well as members of the Regional Education Group for Latin America and the Caribbean (GRE-LAC) and delegates from embassies and other key entities.
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