Compared to other world regions, Latin America is characterized by high levels of social inequality. Although past governments have tried to address this condition through different social policies, the highly unequal distribution of income and wealth has remained persistent. Some economic sectors such as finance, telecommunications, commerce and agro-industry are highly concentrated and dominated by a handful of corporations (grupos economicos). Similarly, and in the light of expanding agricultural frontiers, the ownership of land shows an increasingly unequal distribution.

Na América Latina e no Caribe, a violência se manifesta de diversas formas que afetam, particularmente, os grupos mais jovens da população. Estes são vulneráveis ao crime e à marginalização social, econômica e cultural. Por isso, as experiências da juventude são indispensáveis para a reflexão sobre modos de viver sem violência. O presente concurso chama as/os jovens a se pronunciarem a respeito dessa crise, convidando-os a expressar sua visão sobre as consequências da violência e, especificamente, sua forma de compreender possíveis modos de convivência pacífica.

In Latin America and the Caribbean, violence manifests itself in many different forms that affect particularly young people. They are vulnerable to crime and social, economic and cultural marginalization. Therefore, the experiences of young people are key to thinking ways of living without violence. The contest calls youngsters to speak out on this crisis. They are invited to express their views on the consequences of violence and, specifically, their ways of understanding possible forms of peaceful coexistence.

Elements to consider