UNEP Banner

Alejandra Contreras Casso López - Mexican, Latin America and the Caribbean

2020 Winner | Environmental educator | Mexican

Connected by Nature is an initiative of the NGO “Somos Más Decididos” which empowers children and young students to assume their role as changemakers in caring for the planet through sustainable lifestyles The team identified their lack of connection to nature and protected areas, due to the lack of direct interaction these children have with their environment. Through our work, children are able to have visceral, first hand experiences with biodiversity conservation through visits and field trips which spark their imaginations, increase their biophilia, develop their knowledge and allow them to interact and be inspired by the organisations and individuals driving this conservation work. During these educational trips, participants discover the environmental services of reefs and wetlands, they also clean beaches and reforest mangroves, learn about the production processes of plants, as well as the production of home-made cheese and chocolate to understand responsible consumption. This is effectively achieved by linking this to their school curriculum and subjects such as Biology, Chemistry, Ecology and Natural Sciences.

Lawyer by profession, change-maker by conviction. I am a promoter of environmental education and youth participation as the Executive Director of “Somos Mas Decididos” an NGO and consultancy focussed on sustainable development and social responsibility.

From an early age, I volunteered in community service and social participation projects which motivated me to start my NGO in Veracruz while I was in junior high school. Since then, I have been leading innovative and collaborative projects with my team, inspiring society to take action in favour of environmental conservation in Mexico.

Also I'm a university teacher and mentor of local projects focused on social entrepreneurship, thanks to the experience and learning obtained through recognitions such as the National Youth Prize, the UVM Prize for Social Development, among others.

Disclaimer: NOTE: This content was shared online for the 2019 cycle of the Young Champions of the Earth programme and has not been updated. This listing does not constitute any endorsement by nor status with the UN Environment Programme.

Explore More