Children’s Congress (Congreso de Niños)
In Ecuador, there are many youth and children’s groups, most organized around their neighborhoods or schools. The Children’s Congress represents these organizations and works to be the “spokesman” for children on national issues.
In each Ecuadorian city, the Congress has several “animators” who train kids and teens in leadership, politics, and conflict resolution. In each city, the children run campaigns called “Chilidren for children.” In the past, these campaigns have included a project to help children in jail -- in order to improve their conditions and to demand education -- and campaigns for poor and street kids. These projects are not based on pity or helping “the poor things,” because the majority of the members of the Congress also come from poor and marginalized families.
The Congress does not have a formal or permanent leadership; instead, there is an annual committee of representatives who vote on national policy. This national committee also lobbies in the Ecuadorian Congress and in the media, often with stunning success. The Congress’s pressure was fundamental in the reform of the national childen’s code in 2001.
The Congress was founded by several youth from Mi Cometa, and it maintains a close tie with that organization.
Congreso de Niños
IGLESIA ADVENTISTA DEL SEPTIMO DIA
Mariano Paredes N72-49 y Rodrigo de Villalobos
Casilla 17-21-1908
(02) 280-1739, 280-4670, 280-7489
Contacto: Daisy Ramírez Cevallos
www.adventistas.ec, www.educacionadventista.ec
