Canadian International Development Agency
www.cida.gc.ca
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Colombia
Overview
Colombia is one of the oldest democracies in Latin America with a diversified economy, solid functioning institutions, progressive laws, an active civil society, and abundant natural resources. However, a decades-long conflict fuelled by the illicit drug trade continues to hinder Colombia's development and impedes attempts to tackle poverty and inequality. Conflict and ongoing violence prevents the expansion of social programs in certain areas.
Colombia has a relatively well-performing economy and is well equipped to deal with the economic crisis, due to sound macroeconomic fundamentals, adequate fiscal reserves, and a credible stimulus plan. Nevertheless, despite economic growth, income inequality persists, and 7.4 million individuals (16 percent of the population) live on less than US$1.25/day. One of the key challenges for the Colombian government, also a result of the conflict, is that the country has the world's second largest population of internally displaced persons (almost to four million).
Children and youth, representing 57 percent of the poor and 42 percent of Colombia's total population, are particularly vulnerable to inequality, poverty, and conflict. Their situation is exacerbated by their exposure to landmines, internal displacement, and their susceptibility to becoming targets for sexual exploitation and recruitment by illegal groups. Across the country, 16 percent of children between the ages of 5 and 17 (almost two million), most of them in rural areas, fall outside the education system, most of them in rural areas.
Thematic Focus
In 2009, as part of Canada's new aid effectiveness agenda, Colombia was selected as one of CIDA's 20 countries of focus.
The overall goal of CIDA's programming in Colombia is to improve human rights and reduce the inequality and poverty of the most vulnerable, with a specific focus on children and youth. By focusing on children and youth, CIDA will help break the cycles of violence that have plagued Colombia and will prepare future generations to better integrate into licit economic activity. Additionally, CIDA's work on economic development and food security will ensure that youth and campesinos, or farm workers, have sustainable productive options to illegal activities.
The Government of Colombia has identified its development priorities in its national development plan (in Spanish). CIDA's programming in Colombia supports the objectives of the Government of Colombia to achieve its development goals.
Children and youth
CIDA will continue to support the rights of the most vulnerable groups in Colombia, with a special focus on children and youth to promote and protect their rights, increase their access to early childhood education, and help prevent their exposure and involvement in violence, illicit activities, and illegal groups.
- Up to 66,000 vulnerable children and youth in rural areas will have increased access to education and life, conflict resolution, and peace building skills
- Up to 70 percent of adolescents will be demobilized from illegal groups and given access to family-based reintegration services
- Policies and programs will be developed to respond to the needs of up to 165,000 children and youth affected by internal displacement, human rights violations, and injuries caused by landmines
- Up to 400,000 children will have increased access to early childhood education
Economic growth
CIDA will continue to support the participation of the most vulnerable groups in Colombia's economic development through the delivery of market-driven skills-for-employment programs and by supporting effective corporate social responsibility in the private sector and providing trade-related technical assistance.
- Technical and vocational training and skills, linked to jobs in the local market, will be provided to Colombian youth
- Community-level sustainable social and economic development projects will be implemented through partnerships with extractive companies, regional and local governments, and non-governmental organizations
Food security
CIDA will continue to support crop diversification as an alternative to coca production in rural areas and will provide support to increase agricultural production, productivity, and access to markets.
- Some 20,000 rural women, men, and youth will enhance their agricultural productivity and crop diversification as an alternative to coca production
- The capacity of women, men, and youth in targeted communities will be strengthened to engage in sustainable agriculture and small-scale transformation and commercialization activities
Progress on Aid Effectiveness
Colombia is a signatory to the Paris Declaration on Aid Effectiveness. Its international cooperation strategy for 2007-2010 (in Spanish), which guides Colombia's international development cooperation, is coordinated through the Presidential Program for Social Action (Accion Social).
Canada actively takes part in the G24, a group of 24 countries and international institutions that have an ongoing and constructive dialogue with the Colombian government and civil society on issues of development, peace, and human rights. Canada has chaired the G24 twice and has again been requested to chair in 2010.
PDF Format
Paris Declaration on Aid Effectiveness (317 KB, 23 pages)
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