Amid the protests that started in Colombia more than a month ago, and have paralyzed the country, thousands of youngsters are raising their voices to build the future. We will have a #DiálogosCONNECTAS this Thursday, June 10th, at 11:00 a.m. jointly with Amnesty International, Innovation For Change, and Grupo Faro from Ecuador to turning to the address and analyze the social mobilization that is taking place in Colombia at the moment, which we have previously reported in the section #TerritorioCONNECTAS.

This time we will talk to Jennifer Pedraza, a student leader from the National University and member of the strike committee negotiating with the national government; Sthefanny Mina, a member of the “Semillero de jóvenes afrocolombianos”, victims of the armed conflict who are participating in the strike; Gustavo Orozco, member of the youth organization Objetivo Cero. and promoter of the march of silence in Cali on May 25th, and Carlos Peña, social leader from Cali and promoter of the marches in Puerto Resistencia. 

In this virtual event, the panelists will discuss the demands made by the youngsters who are in favor and against the strike, the reforms they look for with their social projects, and the new ways of organization and participation to take part in the political scene amid a credibility crisis from the traditional political leaders and institutions.  

This virtual panel takes place while Colombia lives upheaval times in the middle of a national strike already starting its second month, at a third peak of the pandemic (the deadliest one of all), and road blockades that deepen the economic crisis, as well as an increase in poverty nationwide. Likewise, the clashes between the public forces and the citizens encouraged a visit from the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights to be carried out between the 8th and the 10th of June.  

The event is free and taking place through the Zoom platform. To participate, register by completing the following form

Date: Thursday, June 10th 

This conversation will have Spanish-English translation.

Local times: 

11 a.m. (Colombia, Peru, Central Mexico and Ecuador)   

12 p.m. (Bolivia, Venezuela and Washington D.C.)

1 p.m (Argentina)

6 p.m. France

5 p.m. England

Panelists

Andrea Sthefanny Mina Camilo

Member of the young Afro Colombians victims of the armed conflict Pool, an organization that has participated in the social mobilization.

Jennifer Pedraza

Fellow of the MA in Economics, student and social leader. She is part of the negotiating table of the Strike Committee and the national government.

Gustavo Orozco

Political scientist and student at the MA in Security and Terrorism. Makes part of the Objetivo Cero organization, and was the promoter of the silent march in Cali on May 25th.

Carlos Peña

Lawyer and political activist. One of the youngsters mobilizing at Puerto Resistencia in Cali.