Notes from Colombia—Part III

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David Harvey
President and CEO of ProLiteracy

Why have I become so passionate about literacy in Colombia and, specifically, in Medellin? You won't believe what I saw. See the pictures posted here: Medellin, through a unique partnership between the public and private sectors (each pay 50 percent of the bill), built seven "park libraries" in the lowest income neighborhoods in the city’s steep hills.




Through a combined planning process that included education, transportation, cultural activities, and libraries, residents of the neighborhoods were engaged in designing for themselves the library parks and the programs they wanted to see put in place. Then, the city built a cable car system with suspended gondolas that links the libraries and steep hill neighborhoods with the city's metro system. Evaluations are ongoing, but literacy rates are up! And parent engagement and adult programs are flourishing. And the neighborhoods are being transformed as economic opportunities follow the path of the cable cars! Venezuela, Brazil and other countries are close examining these initiatives.



I don't know yet if an international adult literacy conference will be pulled off in Medellin, but we will be talking to our local partners and potential funders to see if it’s possible. Stay tuned for more details!


Comments

  1. Nana 675March 9, 2012 at 12:07 AM

    I think that this is an excellent example of how a partnership between the public and private sector can make wonders.It is also awesome that the residents of the neighborhoods shared in designing the facilities they need.I just have a small question.How does Pro literacy monitor these projects and make sure that funds are spent in the right place?

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