In the framework of the International Migrants Day, the Centro Intégrate Barranquilla and aeioTU, with the support of the Hilton FoundationThe first permanent pedagogical space for children has been inaugurated. This space will be operated jointly with leaders of the migrant population and the host community, offering educational and care services to boys and girls.

With this space, Barranquilla reaffirms its leadership in attention to migration and its commitment to the integration of the migrant and host population, especially the most vulnerable, such as children. Through this new space, the Mayor's Office of Barranquilla demonstrates, once again, that successful migration management is possible thanks to the articulation with actors from the private sector, the national government, civil society organizations, and international cooperation. Together, they have consolidated innovative strategies for integration and today they add to the social enterprise aeioTU as a new ally, representing the private sector's commitment to the integration of migrants.

The protective space for children continues to strengthen the attention to migrant, returnee and foster children that is being developed at the Intégrate Center. During the period 2020-2023, the Mayor's Office of Barranquilla has enrolled more than 21,000 children and adolescents in educational institutions in the city. Since its inception in 2019, the Integration Center has provided care and guidance to children through immigration regularization, artistic and cultural training workshops, health brigades, and educational activities.

“Nos llena de emoción y alegría conmemorar el Día del Migrante desde el Intégrate Center, of the hand of a new ally as it is aeioTUopening a new space of attention and care for all children in Barranquilla. They represent the hope for a better tomorrow, and from the Mayor's Office of Barranquilla We reiterate our unwavering commitment to ensure that they and their families continue to enjoy a city that welcomes them and provides them with opportunities to grow and prosper," he said. Daniela Cepeda Tarud, migration advisor of the Mayor's Office of Barranquilla, during the inauguration ceremony at the Centro Intégrate in Barranquilla.

Since 2008 aeioTU, has impacted the lives of more than 1,198,446 children through its Education Experience, and since 2020, supported by various cooperation organizations, including the Hilton Foundationhas implemented an innovative model of accompaniment for the migrant population or those on the move. This approach focuses on strengthening community care capacities, establishing itinerant scenarios and promoting the care economy as an alternative to generate income and opportunities for both the migrant population and the host communities.

"This space represents the commitment of aeioTU with the development of Early Childhood, to make possible a world that understands children as capable, free, happy, full of rights and agents of change in their communities, regardless of where they were born". Manifests Maria Adelaida López, Executive Director of aeioTU.

The space is located in the facilities of the Centro Intégrate Barranquilla, located at the Calle 52 no. 55-75 (Montecristo Neighborhood), a place ready to serve the entire migrant, returnee and host population in search of opportunities for their social, urban, productive and cultural integration, through a wide range of services.