Through the 5-SCALE initiative, we facilitate grassroots dialogues that place children and adolescents at the center of conversations about justice, accountability, and social transformation. Our work engages directly with young people to understand their lived experiences with justice systems, conflict, and community dynamics, and to translate those insights into practical pathways for reform.
A significant part of this work takes place in Ciudad Bolívar, one of the most socially complex and conflict-affected areas of Bogotá, Colombia. In this context, we work closely with young people who often grow up surrounded by structural inequalities, violence, and limited access to justice. Through participatory workshops, dialogue circles, and creative methodologies, we create safe spaces where youth can reflect on their experiences, express their perspectives, and collectively imagine more humane and restorative responses to harm and conflict.
By engaging young people from communities such as Ciudad Bolívar, the initiative ensures that global debates on justice transformation are grounded in the voices and realities of those most directly affected. These dialogues not only empower participants but also generate valuable insights for policymakers, practitioners, and international organizations working to build child-centered, restorative, and accessible justice systems worldwide.
In this way, 5-SCALE connects local experiences with global transformation, demonstrating that meaningful justice reform must begin with listening to communities and amplifying the perspectives of young people navigating justice in their everyday lives.
IDALAP FOUNDATION 