The Deputy Minister of Multilateral Affairs of the Foreign Ministry, Mauricio Jaramillo, stated that the procedure seeks to “strengthen crime prevention strategies through an agenda focused on education, decent employment, protection of rights, access to culture and sports, and the active participation of young people in decision making.”

He also stressed that the Government is redoubling its efforts to put youth at the center of public policies, and that with the support of the Vice-Ministry of Equality and the United Nations Population Fund, spaces are being opened for the voices of the new generations to be heard.

“We are convinced that a security comprehensive approach for youth means recognizing that the structural causes of violence and recruitment by armed groups are deeply linked to factors such as social exclusion, lack of economic and educational opportunities and the absence of spaces for effective participation,” said the vice minister.

The official made the priorities in this area known during the Regional Seminar on Youth Protection held in Bogota in recognition of Colombia’s progress in this area.

The event brought together experts from more than 25 countries in Latin America, the Caribbean and Europe specialized in crime prevention and combating youth recruitment.

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