THE NETWORK FOR THE RIGHT TO FAMILY AND COMMUNITY LIFE HAS BEGAN ITS JOURNEY

In June, we helped with and supported the organization of the Second and Third Cross-sectoral Meeting for the creation of a Network for the Right to Family and Community Life in Ecuador, both convened by RELAF and UNICEF Ecuador. The meetings aimed, among other things, the foundational documents for said Network, which wishes to be committed and proactive a social actor, in identifying and promoting good practices that guarantee the rights of children and adolescents in Ecuador.

The Second and Third Cross-sectoral Meeting for the creation of a Network for the Right to Family and Community Life in Ecuador took place on June 8th at the Psychology Hall of the Central University of Ecuador. The same was in charge of Matilde Luna and Maria Alejandra Almeida, coordinator of the project, and was attended by key government and nongovernment agencies and individuals. At this meeting the Practice guide for working with children and adolescents in disaster situations,document prepared jointly with UNICEF Ecuador, was presented.

On June 29th we supported the Third Intersectoral Meeting of the Network for the Right to family and community life with several Ecuadorian NGOs. It was conducted by Dr. Claudia León, a member of RELAF’s Latin American Consultative Council.

The meeting was held with the intention of creating two technical documents: A family support model, and a family foster care model, for Ecuador. RELAF and UNICEF Ecuador supported the drafting of early versions for both models, which were then presented, discussed and improved upon at the meeting.

The Network, united by an active commitment for improvements in the protection of children and families, manifested its opinions and concerns regarding the violations suffered by the right to family and community life in Ecuador brought upon by the April 16th earthquake. In that regard, the network offers its commitment and proactiveness in identifying and promoting good practices that help guarantee the rights of children and adolescents in Ecuador.