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About us
CERREJÓN FOUNDATION FOR INSTITUTIONAL STRENGTHENING OF LA GUAJIRA
Who we are
Since 2008, the Foundation has been working to strengthen public institutions and civil society organizations in the Colombian province of La Guajira, ensuring better social investment of public resources.
Our operation represents 41% of the region's GDP, so it is important to us that the taxes and royalties the company pays reverberate in social and economic development in the region. We must all prepare for eventual mine closure, and a part of this is to ensure La Guajira has strong institutions in place.
The need for institutional strengthening
La Guajira has great potential to reach a high level of sustainable - and equitable - development of its people. It has an abundance of natural resources, which enhance the possibility of earning royalties for investment in social development.
Since 1985, Cerrejón has paid the province more than USD $1.4 billion in royalties, which have generated certain social improvements to the population. Despite this, these payments have not led to coverage of essential services for all, in terms of access to basic education, decrease in infant mortality, healthcare for the vulnerable and basic sanitation.
La Guajira is ethnically diverse, with numerous indigenous groups living alongside Hispanic and Afro-Colombian communities. Recent times have also seen an influx of displaced migrants to the area due to Colombia’s internal conflict. This has been a catalyst for the authorities to improve the means by which its citizens, especially those on low incomes, can access justice and defend their rights. Cerrejón wants to assist in these matters.
How we help
Given the aforementioned motivations, we want to strengthen local government and citizen participation in the planning and oversight of public spending. We have forged alliances with authorities in the region, with citizen volunteer groups and with national and international institutions. We also seek to improve the judicial system in order to allow peaceful conflict resolution.
The Foundation is led by Alfredo Fuentes, Executive Director. He studied law at the University of Los Andes and Harvard Law School and has an MA in Economics from Boston University. He was interim Secretary General of the Andean Community (CAN) and Dean of the School of Law at the University of Los Andes.
Testimonial
Alirio Machuca
Visible Auditor of the oversighted investment Projects “Princesa Negra Park” and “300 Duplex Welfare Housing” in the municipality of Albania.
“We are very pleased with the training they have provided us auditors. It has been excellent work. Truthfully, one of the best institutions we have had here in the department of La Guajira has been the Foundation. It has been working hand-in-hand with the community, and the impacts have been seen in the social projects”.
