SURF Mentoring

Potential projects/topics: The United Nations declared 2015 to 2024 the Internacional Deccenium of African Descendants with the topics “African Descendants: Recognition, Justice, and Development.” The declaration recognized the consequences of the colonial system in the lives of millions of African descendants worldwide. It established an action program that includes the United Nations agencies as essential in supporting national initiatives and responding to community needs. Considering that the European colonization system mainly defines Latinoamerican countries' position in the global community, the Ecuadorian community received the Deccenium Declaration as a great opportunity. This is because the African Descendant communities of the Chota’s Valley - Ecuador, have historically faced exclusion and inequality in critical areas, such as access to essential services and economic opportunities. Therefore, this research project aims to understand whether these global agendas have had a tangible impact on improving the conditions in the Chota’s Valley communities. As a result, this research project will have two primary impacts. First, it will help identify lessons to strengthen the alignment and communication platforms between the Afro-Choteña communities and the international actors, serving as a tool for communitarian leaders and authorities. Second, advancing this line of inquiry aims to deepen my understanding of how global frameworks can effectively support social justice and sustainable development in historically excluded territories as a foundation for future doctoral-level research.

Objective:
Analyze the role of international and non-governmental organizations in developing and visualizing the needs of the African Descendant communities in the Chota Valley - Ecuador, from 2014 to 2024.

Potential skills gained:

• Qualitative data collection: Design and implement interviews, surveys and focus groups to capture community perceptions and experiences.
• Documentary review: Analyze reports, documents and databases related to the policies and projects implemented.
• Designing research instruments: Develop surveys or interview guides, learning how to formulate relevant and culturally sensitive questions.
• Working with communities: Develop empathy, cultural sensitivity and ability to work in diverse and challenging environments.

Required qualifications:

• Written and oral communication: Ability to write clear and structured texts and communicate effectively in a professional environment.
• Organization and punctuality: Ability to meet deadlines, follow instructions and manage tasks in an organized manner.
• Interest in social and cultural issues: Motivation and sensitivity to working with communities and analyzing issues such as inequality and social justice.
• Adaptability and willingness to learn: Proactive attitude to face new challenges and learn unfamiliar tools or concepts.
• Basic technology skills: Basic use of programs such as Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) and access to digital tools for communication and collaboration (Google Drive, Zoom, etc.)

The project is limited to students of Social Sciences and Humanities, a plus (but not required) is the interest in Latin America and/or Afro-descendant communities.

Direct mentor: Graduate Student