The initiative led by UNDP and UNICEF seeks to strengthen capacities and talents to turn the participants´ dreams into projects for their communities.

Quito, November 12th, 2020.- The United Nations Development Program (UNDP) and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), with the collaboration of ConQuito and the Youth Assembly for Sustainability (Tandari), welcomed the group of 90 adolescents and youth  from Calderón, Chillogallo and Tumbaco who will be part of the DreamLAB.

During the live broadcast, Joaquín González-Alemán, UNICEF representative in Ecuador, mentioned that “The laboratory is a youth minga in which they will find solutions to the problems of their communities” and that the United Nations will support “set your dreams in motion”.

Matilde Mordt, UNDP representative in the country, stressed that in order to build a better society and look into the future with confidence and security, we must listen and take into account youth and adolescents. In this sense, she invited the participants to lead, propose, build and make projects that positively transform the parishes of Calderón, Chillogallo and Tumbaco. She also called on the public and private sectors, civil society, academy and the media, to support this initiative.

The representative of the Youth Assembly for Sustainability – TANDARI, Sebastián Sánchez, invited to join different youth participation initiatives such as U-Report and the #ReImagineYourFuture Challenge promoted by the United Nations.

From the ConQuito facilities, its executive director Wilson Merino, spoke on behalf of the agency that will implement the project and mentioned that “this is possible thanks to the collaborative work of all organizations, with the common objective of building opportunities for the country from the youngest ones “.

Margarita Grijalva, DreamLAB´s coordinator and Erika Ricaurte, Conquito’s entrepreneurship and DreamLAB´s innovation technician and facilitator explained the methodology and contents of this process for the 90 participants. It will last six weeks and includes: virtual training and advice for your projects, as well as technical support and financing for the implementation of the selected projects.

A musical note was put on by UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador and Ecuadorian singer, Daniel Betancourth, who shared one of his most recent songs, “Renacer” and answered questions from the public. In addition, through a video, the artist Apitatán sent a greeting and spoke about his personal story and the impact of urban art. He also referred to the workshop that he will offer in the framework of the DreamLAB.

Of the 150 registered in the DreamLAB´s call, 90 adolescents between the ages of 15 and 24 were selected. The initiative was born in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic which has affected adolescents and youth due to the lack of integration, opportunities and inclusion in their communities. The DreamLAB seeks to counteract this situation by providing development tools to new generations, empowering adolescents and youth, and promoting their participation to create innovative, sustainable and inclusive solutions for their communities.