Niñez YA asks President Abelardo de la Espriella to prioritize children’s rights in his National Development Plan

Bogotá, Colombia. – Within the framework of the Gabo Festival 2026, the discussion “Childhood has the floor: For a country within the reach of children and adolescents” was held, a space inspired by the legacy of journalist and writer Gabriel García Márquez and his emblematic speech on building a country that guarantees opportunities for new generations.

During the meeting, Ángela Costanza Jerez, national coordinator of the Niñez YA coalition, highlighted that: “Colombian children are currently facing three major challenges: the climate crisis, the intensification of the armed conflict, and the phenomena of migration and human mobility that affect thousands of families in the country.”

“In addition to World Vision, there are 200 networks and organizations working together in Niñez YA. We believe that there are fundamental rights that are enabling factors to guarantee the integral development of all boys and girls living in Colombia,” stated Costanza.

The coalition representative also referred to the expectations regarding the upcoming inauguration of the president-elect, noting that various social and international cooperation organizations recently reached a consensus on a series of agreements for children that they seek to have included in the next National Development Plan.

“In addition to security, we need the guarantee of all the rights of boys and girls. Peace also has to do with their environments being safe and providing them with well-being,” he/she stated.

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The discussion served as a stage to hear the voices of the youngest and reinforce the call for public policies to place childhood at the center of decisions, with the goal of building a country where the rights of children and adolescents are a priority.

The activity brought together children and adolescents from different regions of Colombia along with representatives from the justice sector and civil society organizations to reflect on the challenges facing childhood and their role in building a more just, equitable society that respects human rights.