Fundación Universitaria María Cano reaffirmed its commitment to social transformation and the comprehensive protection of children and adolescents in Colombia by certifying 723 educational agents from the Colombian Family Welfare Institute (ICBF) in the prevention, identification, and response to different forms of violence, as well as in family strengthening strategies. This achievement was made possible through a strategic partnership with ICBF and ICETEX.

The initiative was carried out through the diploma program “Prevention, Detection, and Response to Different Types of Violence and Family Strengthening”, developed under the framework of the ICBF-ICETEX Fund 1854 of 2023. The program is part of the Colombian Government’s efforts to strengthen the capacities of professionals and community leaders who work daily with children, adolescents, youth, families, and communities across the country.

More than a training program, the diploma represented a commitment to building protective environments, strengthening care networks, and promoting actions that safeguard the rights of children and adolescents. Through an academic approach grounded in territorial, differential, and rights-based perspectives, Fundación Universitaria María Cano contributed to equipping participants with the tools needed to identify risk situations, prevent different forms of violence, and strengthen family and community bonds within their areas of intervention.

The program was designed for educational agents, teachers, community mothers, and community fathers—key actors in supporting and protecting vulnerable populations. As a result of this initiative, hundreds of professionals and community leaders enhanced their skills to respond effectively to situations affecting the well-being of children and adolescents, becoming multipliers of knowledge and agents of change within their communities.

The diploma program was delivered in Bogotá and Medellín and concluded with the certification of 723 participants from different regions of Colombia, significantly expanding the reach of national strategies focused on violence prevention and family strengthening.

This achievement highlights the value of partnerships between academia and public institutions in generating meaningful and lasting social impact. In this case, the collaboration between Fundación Universitaria María Cano, ICBF, and ICETEX enabled the delivery of specialized knowledge to those who play a critical role in protecting children and strengthening Colombia’s social fabric.

Through initiatives such as this, Fundación Universitaria María Cano continues to consolidate its role as an institution committed to education for social transformation, contributing through education, research, and social outreach to human development, the creation of safe environments, and the generation of opportunities for vulnerable communities throughout the country.