Advocacy for Street Children and Youth: The IPODERAC Case

• In Event: Civil Society Advocating for Change: Education in Latin America

Abstract

This case study examines the organizational strategies of the Instituto Poblano de Readaptación (IPODERAC), an organization with a 50-year history working with street children and youth, victims of abuse and migrant children. IPODERAC’s successful intervention model encourages autonomy and integral development of children and youth from a human rights-based perspective. To strengthen its organizational autonomy, the organization generates economic resources that enhance its long-term sustainability by functioning as a social enterprise. Its advocacy strategy focuses on legislative and public policy changes to strengthen the rights of children and youth, aiming to solve some of the causes of children vulnerability. The case study presents evidence on how a CSO nurturing its non-for-profit nature and educational mission can strengthen its organizational capacity, autonomy and sustainability, along with its ability to influence public policy to advance the rights of vulnerable children and youth.

Author

• Miguel A De La Vega, Sustenta Ciudadanía