REGION LATIN AMERICA AND THE IBERIAN PENINSULA
In the 1500s, the Spanish and Portuguese discovered the American continent and began to colonise it with Europeans and African slaves. Portugal and Spain made an agreement to divide the South American continent between themselves, which resulted in Portuguese and Spanish speaking countries. After some time, people from other countries migrated to the continent, resulting in a mixture of people and cultures. In Latin America, Interact has a long-term partnership with five organisations in three different countries. The work is divided into three focal areas: Child Protective Services, Anti Human Trafficking and Sustainable Livelihood.
Regional context
Many countries in Latin America are new democracies that are trying to create a new democratic society while leaving dictatorial years behind. Unfortunately, many countries struggle with corruption on several levels of society, greatly inhibiting development within the region. Latin America is the most unequal region in the world with great extremes between rich and poor. Knowledge of human rights is very low, and although there is good legislation in many countries, people remain unaware of its existence and thus continue to have their rights violated. Furthermore, the level of violence is very elevated. In Brazil, for instance, several thousands of people are murdered annually. Children who grow up in this violent environment where rights are constantly violated need a great paradigm shift in order to develop into healthy adults.
What we do about it
Interact believes that finding new ways to enhance democracy and community engagement are very important. The main target group is children and strengthening their rights, although we also work with women and native Indians. Interact partners with local project groups that seek to empower children to make changes in their own lives. This goal is reached concretely by helping children with homework and giving them opportunities to develop their creative talents within a safe environment so that they don’t have to worry about the violence that usually surrounds them. Working against corruption is another effective method Interact to uses strengthen children’s rights within their communities.
Contact Region Latin America and the Iberian Peninsula
