What kind of impact does your work with Fundación Alternativas have?
My work in the organization generates positive impacts on several people in my community. I think the foundation’s impact on people—in that they change their eating habits and are co-responsible with the food system—generates positive changes in their areas of coexistence. Furthermore, working on building public policies in favor of our food systems and generating research is positive from every point of view.
Fundación Alternativas staff in the office
Why do you do what you do? What are your aspirations in your role?
I do what I do because I want to create more tools and resources for bringing knowledge of the foundation to more people and cities. I would like to learn more about other realities and problems of food systems through experiences in other countries and from various academic sectors. That way, we can generate more research and data that serve as a source for planning and public policy.
What is your favorite part of your job?
My favorite part is when I realize that people, through our work, have learned to recognize food security issues and are able to articulate necessary actions. I take pride in making people more aware of this global problem.
Food Security Committee members working in Sucre
What are some current projects you are working on?
Right now, I am working on the analysis of the food systems of eight municipalities in the metropolitan region of La Paz. I am looking for strategies to be able to make these studies known to as many people as possible. Also, I am spreading knowledge of the work of the La Paz, El Alto, and Sucre committees.
What hopes do you have for the future for your organization?
I hope that we can grow as an organization and reach more cities and more people with our methodologies. In order to do this, we need our human and economic resources to grow.
What is your organization's mission and how do you continue to work toward it?
Our work is focused on uniting civic, public, and private components in the design and application of public policies, programs, and initiatives that allow citizens and communities to fulfill their universal right to food. Everyday we continue generating mechanisms and knowledge to reach this goal.
Food Security Committee members work together in La Paz
What do you hope participants take away from your programs?
I hope they have as many positive experiences as possible. I think that, ideally, it should be a cultural exchange that serves all the parties involved.
Why is it important for people to travel abroad and experience new cultures?
To know other cultures is already a lesson in itself. That, coupled with participation in a specific program in which a person has interest, makes it a very rich experience. However, learning the characteristics of a place, the customs, and the culture of the people is more valuable than anything else.
Why do you think learning a new language is important?
Learning a new language is not about learning to translate. Instead, it’s about understanding that each language comes loaded with history, ways of thinking, and different customs.
Fundación Alternativas staff
What advice do you have for individuals thinking about going abroad?
It’s like I answered before—these individuals would benefit from striving to learn about realities and customs in their new location; this is invaluable. It’s just like learning a new language, in the sense that it’s enriching your life and the lives of others. That's all I can say!
What does meaningful travel mean to you?
There are many things that can be said about meaningful travel, and it depends on the meaning and reason of your trip. It is ideal to be able to leave the community you’re visiting with new knowledge while subsequently being able to teach something.
What does ethical global engagement mean to you?
It means being co-responsible for the consequences of climate change. Multinational and large companies can be largely responsible for several negative effects on the environment; however, that does not take responsibility away from citizens.
What hopes do you have for the future of your work?
I think a future goal in the area of our work is to start being co-responsible with our communities and generate solutions from within.
