As a law student at the Universidad de los Andes, my commitment to sustainability extends far beyond the class room or eco-friendly travel practices; it is deeply embedded in my academic and professional endeavors, particularly through direct engagement with the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
My dedication to SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities) is exemplified by my active participation in a labor law research group at my university. Here, I have dedicated significant effort to advocating for the recognition of the labor rights and the rightful employment relationships of delivery drivers, a vulnerable and often exploited segment of the workforce in Colombia. This work directly addresses structural inequalities within the gig economy, striving to ensure fair treatment and legal protection for those who face significant precarity, who in Colombia are mainly Venezuelan refugees.
Furthermore, my commitment to SDG 4 (Quality Education) is evident through my roles as a teaching assistant at my university. In this capacity, I have contributed to strengthening the education of young individuals within the academic setting. Crucially, I have also worked directly with underprivileged communities to facilitate access to quality education, striving to ensure that socio-economic conditions do not impede or limit their fundamental right to learning. This initiative aims to break cycles of disadvantage by fostering inclusive and equitable educational opportunities.
Lastly, in my capacity as a Legal Aid professional within a construction company, I have actively sought to implement SDG 5 (Gender Equality). Recognizing that the construction sector in Colombia is predominantly male-dominated, I have championed policies and practices that promote gender parity and equality in new hires, thereby working to prevent discriminatory scenarios and foster a more inclusive workplace environment. These collective efforts underscore my holistic approach to sustainability, viewing it as an interconnected framework encompassing social justice, human rights, and environmental stewardship, all of which I am eager to apply and expand during my international placement.
