This initiative will also impact Colombian NGOs in the same field: Geek Girls Latam and Corpas Comunitaria.
Aiming to create positive impact through global citizenship and internationalization training within Chile, the Universidad Católica de la Santísima Concepción (UCSC) and the Universidad Católica de Maule (UCM) have collaborated with the Fundación Superación de la Pobreza (Overcoming Poverty Foundation).
This cooperation takes place within the Erasmus+ BeGlobal project framework, also bringing together Haaga-Helia University of Applied Sciences (Finland), Université Côte d’Azur (France), the Corporación Universitaria Minuto de Dios and the Fundación Universitaria Juan N. Corpas (Colombia).
With respect to the Fundación Superación de la Pobreza’s goals, the first is to overcome the poverty which millions of Chileans face every day, pursuing equity, integration and social justice through their work.
This inter-university collaboration with the Fundación Superación de la Pobreza arose from the various steps taken by Bonding with the Community (VInculación con el Medio) according to Jorge Burgos, Director General of International Relations of the Universidad Católica de Maule, who also stressed that “Through these [processes], the possibility of inviting them to participate in a project with international reach arises, like this, but one that is nestled in the local community, within the territory”.
Regarding this collaboration, the Regional Director of the Biobío-based NGO, the Fundación Superación de la Pobreza, highlighted that “The impact we foresee directly links to the Youth Teams we work within, broadening worldviews, reestablishing and strengthening skills that encourages them through global experiences to take action at a local level.
From the UCSC, the Director of Liaison and Agreements, Jimena Illanes, emphasized that “We chose this institution because they, in addition to having a very different view of what vulnerability is in the territory, have a proactive and innovative outlook.”
Finally, the Director of International Cooperation and the UCSC Project Manager of the BeGlobal Erasmus+ project, Mary Hayes, made reference to future challenges for the initiative: “One of the main areas for us to work on is maintaining sustained coordination between the Chilean universities and the Foundation’s regional offices in order to guarantee that the project’s aims are being fulfilled. The positive is the strong commitment which is noted across parties”.
