As part of AP’s effort to support its partners around the world, Alex Goldmark, a graduate of Georgetown University’s Public Policy Institute and freelance radio journalist, is working with Viva Rio, a multi-service non-governmental organization that works in some 350 favelas (slums) and other low-income communities to overcome violence and social exclusion throughout Rio de Janeiro.

Alex is working with one of their projects, titled “Children in Organized Armed Violence” (COAV). The COAV project is a large-scale, cooperative research project aimed at reducing the participation of children in Rio’s bustling drug trade.

The Problem

According to Viva Rio, there are almost 5,000 armed children ‘working’ in drug factions that battle over territory in favelas (slums) of Rio. In these jobs, the children face the daily risk of violence, injury and death that is often much worse than the danger experienced by soldiers in actual military combat. Often children are as young as ten when they join the drug trade.

In fact, the way in which these drug factions operate can be likened to life in an army: there exists a hierarchical structure with set rules and punishments that do not distinguish between children and adults; remuneration for services rendered; the provision of small arms to minors; and a pervasive “kill or be killed” mentality. In fact, between 1987 and 2001, over 3,900 children suffered violent deaths in Rio.

COAV

The main objective of the COAV project are:

1) to identify localities areas that need assistance;
2) to produce and disseminate information to educate the international community on the problem
3) to propose legislative solutions; and
4) to share best practices with other NGO’s.

The COAV project is guided in this work by “three Ps” (in Portuguese): Practice (prática), Research (pesquisa) and Policy (politica).

Pratica: This involves a pilot initiative called “Fight For Peace” that is located in one of Rio’s most violent favelas. It is a boxing academy that combines citizenship training and educational assistance, using sports as a way to entince the youth away from crime. The project offers sports, like boxing and wrestling, along with access to life-changing opportunities, like a literacy help, citizenship classes and cultural outings.

Pesquisa: This encompasses a forthcoming book detailing ten case studies of armed violence among children in different countries. It is the product of two years of research that includes in-depth interviews with the children themselves, members of the communities in which they live, as well as experts and policy makers. The book is being released in May 2005.

Politica: This is a combination of the above two and is meant to ensure that the hard work accomplished in these areas is put to the best possible use. The book highlights some successful projects and offers solutions to governments, NGOs, academics, and international organizations. The book will soon be available for download in three languages at the Via Rio website (bottom).

The Project

Alex is working in both the policy and the practice areas. In order to promote the book, he will be using AP’s network of contacts to identify and contact policy makers, NGOs, press contacts, and academics who work in this area. Its overall message is one of hope: that there ARE ways to address the complex problem of armed violence among youth.

For the practice portion, Alex is assisting Viva Rio in developing something completely new. He is designing a plan for Viva Rio to set up a community radio station in one of Rio’s favelas that will be run by and for young people.

The radio station will provide them with job training in journalism, audio production, and communication while at the same time transmit a message of peace. Young people are particularly well suited to relate to others in their community in talking about violence and alternatives to gang life. Therefore, they will be the ones developing the programming, suggesting themes and speaking directly to the community. This project, like the boxing academy, will provide the youth with a haven of peace in a violent place.

Alex is developing this project, including suggesting programming ideas based on other community stations around Rio as well as his experience as a freelance radio journalist. With the help of AP, he also is also looking for funding, working with Viva Rio staff with radio and field experience in order to design training courses for the youth, and establishing a daily routine for them and for the radio station.

Within a year, AP hopes to include a link to a live webcast of the of the radio station available on our website.