The meeting aimed to analyse the challenges of migration in the Darien, plan and carry out joint advocacy and public opinion actions before the Congress of the Republic of Colombia (among ecclesial organisations from Colombia, Panama and Venezuela) and form the teams of communicators in the network on how to communicate in emergency migration contexts.
During the development of joint activities, the communities of migrants and refugees in transit were accompanied. They are living on beaches and streets in the municipality of Necoclí, waiting to gain the necessary economic resources to be able to continue their journey through the jungle. This period of time can last between 3 and 12 months, which exposes them to greater basic humanitarian needs and risks of physical and sexual abuse, trafficking, discrimination, begging, drug addiction, among others.
Faced with this reality, the advocacy work focused on preparing a public statement that evidenced the situation of the population on the move. This was presented at the Public Hearing on 25 July 25 of the Second Commission of the Republic's Senate and of the Assembly of Deputies in Antioquia, where Father Luis Fernando Velandia, SDB, Coordinator of the Preferential Option Works of the San Pedro Claver Province of Bogotá, spoke about the protection of children, adolescents and young people (see here).
In his speech he stressed the importance of guaranteeing the rights of children, adolescents and young adults in situations of forced human mobility, since it is inconceivable that Colombia's maritime land and/or air borders are open and uncontrolled doors for the transit of minors who are not guaranteed their rights, due protection and accompaniment by the State.
This experience has relaunched the Salesian commitment to work with a human rights-based approach for children, adolescents and young adults in vulnerable conditions and, especially, for those who migrate from their countries in search of better living conditions; as Don Bosco would do, accompanying their dreams at every step.
In addition, the meeting invites us to continue working in a network as a Church that proclaims the love of God in each of the initiatives that allow us to provide life opportunities to those who come to our works.
Salesian Social America Network, San Pedro Claver Province (Bogotá)
