WHY I WANT IT

DEAR FRIENDS (open letter)

Looking back, I can say my career has always addressed social development, particularly the working and living conditions, labor/human rights and social inclusion.

As some of you you may well know, it all started with my graduation as an Ergonomist, focused on design and evaluation of working systems and their impacts on health, safety as well as on productivity and well-being. Then it went on with my PhD in Public Health, on Environmental Health.

While having an academic position at the Faculty of Public Health of the University of Sao Paulo, as a researcher, a professor and a grad students advisor, I was involved in social development issues in general and social and environmental ones, in special, in a multidisciplinary context. As a private consultant I have also developed passion and know-how for environmental and social policies, programs and actions.

Such issues have been part of researches, surveys, capacity building as well as the focus of government committees on human rights I have served and study groups for Brazilian standards (on digital inclusion) I have chaired. Also, acting as a reviewer or "ad hoc" consultant for Brazilian R&D public foundations has made me even closer to many social and environmental challenges.

While actively participating in Scientific Committees of national and international conferences, my online networking and my advocacy have a solid place in my life. I moderate various online groups focusing mostly on fair trade and universal design, that add up to more than 6,000 members.

Besides, taking great online courses (Coursera; World Pulse) is an exciting way of being updated and being part of larger communities.

Since 2009 I have also been assisting NGOs and SMEs (small and medium-sized enterprises) in grant writing and fundraising; for the latter, targetting socio-environmental calls for proposals and issues; for the former, focusing on innovation. On either side, both environmental and social challenges are present within the larger picture of socio-economic development.

My areas of interest and my abilities, my availability, willingness as well my stamina allow myself to say I am very interested and excited about being part of an outspoken community for change like World Pulse.

Yes, I want to be one of SO many Voices of Our Future.

I believe it will help me to achieve, share and enlarge my vision.
And to be part of bigger, better and engaging horizons.

Looking forward to working with you all for the promotion of sustainable and enriching ways of life in order to reduce poverty, and improve people's lives,
sincerely yours,

Ana Isabel Paraguay
Brazil

e-mail: fairchange@gmail.com - skype: anaisabelbbp