Colombia
Children living in the midst of armed conflict are deprived of their childhood and live in fear.
Many children are recruited into armed forces because they have a sense of helplessness and do not think they have other options.
For children to engage in war is one of the worst violations of their rights. Those who survive are often psychologically damaged and struggle to return to normal life.
Our new project aims to protect children in the midst of armed conflict in Colombia, with a special focus on children most at risk of being recruited into armed forces.
We are working to create safe environments for children (including adolescents), and give them opportunities that make recruitment into armed forces a less attractive option.
As part of this project, we are:
bringing peace through football!
Golombiao – The Game of Peace aims to promote peace and conflict management, and to make children less vulnerable to recruitment into armed forces.
During the past few months about 15,000 young people participated in regional tournaments. Nineteen teams then participated in the first ever National Golombiao Tournament, which was attended by 7,000 people and Launched by UNICEF Ambassador Danny Glover.
Watch part of the opening ceremony, see the teams or hear their stories in these short clips from Colombia.
Golombiao – The Game of Peace uses special rules. All teams must have equal numbers of boys and girls, and all players must play. The first goal must be scored by a girl, and then an alternate gender for each goal (girl, boy, girl, boy etc). At the end of each game, the score is decided based on the number of goals scored and the teams’ behaviour throughout the game.
Through encouraging children to treat one another fairly, Golombaio - The Game of Peace teaches them that they have rights. It promotes peaceful co-existence and respect for gender and ethnic diversity, through emphasising good behaviour and having boys and girls play together. It also recognises children as agents of change and gives them opportunities for participation and belonging.
As a result, Golombiao – The Game of Peace aims to reduce violence, and help break cycles of violence into the future. Families, communities and local authorities will participate Golombiao to learn peacebuilding skills.
Through teaching young people in Colombia about important matters such as public policy, sexual health and human rights, and giving them vocational training, we are helping to educate and empower their communities.
Golombiao – The Game of Peace is strengthening communities through promoting peaceful conflict resolution, coexistence and respect for gender and ethnic diversity. Through improving the behaviour of children, it is also improving their relationships with the community and reducing violence.
Many children are recruited into armed forces because they have a sense of helplessness and do not think they have other options.
For children to engage in war is one of the worst violations of their rights. Those who survive are often psychologically damaged and struggle to return to normal life.
Our new project aims to protect children in the midst of armed conflict in Colombia, with a special focus on children most at risk of being recruited into armed forces.
Protecting children from armed conflict
We are working to create safe environments for children (including adolescents), and give them opportunities that make recruitment into armed forces a less attractive option.
As part of this project, we are:
- Teaching children how to avoid being recruited into armed groups.
- Supporting the government and groups in Colombia in helping prevent recruitment.
- Promoting a safe environment and child-friendly spaces.
- Raising public awareness about the recruitment of children, to aid prevention strategies.
- Running training sessions for vulnerable children: teaching them about citizenship, participation, public policy, leadership, gender equity, life projects, sexual and reproductive health, vocational training and human rights.
bringing peace through football!
Golombiao – The Game of Peace aims to promote peace and conflict management, and to make children less vulnerable to recruitment into armed forces.
During the past few months about 15,000 young people participated in regional tournaments. Nineteen teams then participated in the first ever National Golombiao Tournament, which was attended by 7,000 people and Launched by UNICEF Ambassador Danny Glover.
Watch part of the opening ceremony, see the teams or hear their stories in these short clips from Colombia.
Golombiao – The Game of Peace uses special rules. All teams must have equal numbers of boys and girls, and all players must play. The first goal must be scored by a girl, and then an alternate gender for each goal (girl, boy, girl, boy etc). At the end of each game, the score is decided based on the number of goals scored and the teams’ behaviour throughout the game.
Through encouraging children to treat one another fairly, Golombaio - The Game of Peace teaches them that they have rights. It promotes peaceful co-existence and respect for gender and ethnic diversity, through emphasising good behaviour and having boys and girls play together. It also recognises children as agents of change and gives them opportunities for participation and belonging.
As a result, Golombiao – The Game of Peace aims to reduce violence, and help break cycles of violence into the future. Families, communities and local authorities will participate Golombiao to learn peacebuilding skills.
Helping the wider community
Through teaching young people in Colombia about important matters such as public policy, sexual health and human rights, and giving them vocational training, we are helping to educate and empower their communities.
Golombiao – The Game of Peace is strengthening communities through promoting peaceful conflict resolution, coexistence and respect for gender and ethnic diversity. Through improving the behaviour of children, it is also improving their relationships with the community and reducing violence.
