The Right Not to Obey (Spanish: El Derecho a No Obedecer) is a platform of citizen initiatives which enable active democratic processes and operate outside electoral politics in Colombia.
Problems and Purpose
The Right Not to Obey is a platform of citizen initiatives that focuses on active democratic participation processes that develop in contexts that are outside electoral politics. The platform seeks to build citizen networks, mobilization capacities, and spaces for dialogue between citizens and government, as well as to promote processes that support the establishment of open governments in Colombia. The initiative has worked on issues of citizen participation, coexistence and security, air quality, and migration.
Background History and Context
The initiative was created in the city of Medellín in 2018, and participates with projects in the cities of Bogotá, Cali, and Cúcuta.
Organizing, Supporting, and Funding Entities
The name was inspired by the work of the Colombian philosopher Fernando González and is a project coordinated by different groups of citizens, with the support of the Corporación Otraparte, the Fundación Buena Nota and the Open Society Foundations.