The South American Line
181
a conflict-ridden zone, where institutional
centered on promoting a “Park Culture”,
capacities are weak. The fact is that
understood as civic values and caring
this is the first Park to operate is highly
for the Park as a “public good”. Basic
symbolic. Although most Parks are still in
indicators are reported weekly, such as
construction (30) and design (49) phases,
the number of people attending the Parks
the program has already showed the
and its daily program, early results of
results in terms of promoting community
these programs for teachers, students
participatory processes, raising interests
and the wider population and qualitative
for educational issues, and creating local
indicators regarding people’s perception
institutional capacities around education.
and satisfaction.
There are 80 local Educational Parks committees where around 2,000
2. Challenge of the Initiative
representatives of different communities
Some political groups resisted this
meet on a monthly basis to discuss,
initiative, claiming that it was better to
socialize and plan their Parks. In
invest money in the traditional system.
each municipality, around 40 social
This has been overcome by the local
mobilization activities have taken place,
government and community’s supports
□ Citizens in the Antioquia have a better understanding of Park Culture through community activities