Children|NGO's|Pedagogical support
Legislation marks 34 years on July 13.
The Child and Adolescent Statute (ECA), enacted on July 13, 1990, is a milestone in Brazilian law, establishing fundamental rights for minors. The implementation of the ECA brought significant changes, serving as inspiration and legal basis for the creation of various social projects for children and adolescents, aiming to protect and promote the integral development of this audience.
Before the legislation was enacted, children and adolescents were neglected by civil society and the government. With the ECA, this group gained guaranteed fundamental rights, including education, health, leisure, and protection against neglect and exploitation, among others.
These guarantees encouraged governmental and non-governmental organizations to develop social projects ensuring access to these rights for children and adolescents. Thus, programs such as educational reinforcement, vaccination campaigns, and cultural and sports activities emerged.
Additionally, combating child labor and sexual exploitation is one of the most reinforced fronts by the ECA. Social projects for children and adolescents aim to remove children from labor situations and integrate them into educational and leisure environments. These initiatives seek not only to rescue but also to prevent a return to conditions of vulnerability.
Finally, the ECA encourages active community participation in the protection and development of children and adolescents. This participation is reflected in community social projects, where collaboration between residents, schools, and local entities is crucial.
The Ramacrisna Institute was established over 30 years before the enactment of the ECA. Thus, the institution was already developing social projects for children and adolescents even before the legislation existed. However, the law provided support for these actions, aiming to guarantee rights and promote the integral development of this audience.
For example, the ECA establishes the right to quality education for all children and adolescents. In line with this guideline, the Institute develops various educational and professional qualification projects. Services begin in early childhood, at six years old, through the Ramacrisna Educational Support Center (CAER), which offers children aged six to 14 the opportunity to participate in various workshops held outside school hours. These workshops broaden their horizons, opening doors to a more equal and just world.
When they reach 14 years old, they are eligible to join the “Adolescent Apprentice” project, which prepares them for the job market through specific training courses and connects them with partner companies for hiring, ensuring that the entire process complies with ECA guidelines. By the time they turn 16, young people are ready to enroll in the Institute’s vocational courses and further qualify themselves.
The right to leisure, culture, and recreational activities is also guaranteed by the ECA. The Institute promotes these rights through projects such as the Ramacrisna Philharmonic Orchestra, which offers music lessons to children and adolescents, and the Professor Arlindo Corrêa da Silva Library. These initiatives not only promote cultural and social development but also keep young people away from risky situations. The Institute also offers various projects focused on sports, such as the “Sports in Motion” and “Vale” projects, among others.
Another example of action aligned with the ECA is the Ramacrisna FabLab, which hosts digital inclusion projects, offering computer courses and access to information technologies for children and adolescents. This not only expands educational and professional opportunities but also promotes digital citizenship and professional qualifications, which are essential.
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