Two days of social innovation learning in Cerrito 2018

The event, organized for the second consecutive year and supported by CAF-development bank of Latin America- and the IDRC of Canada, was attended by leaders in business, the public sector, civil society, companies, social entrepreneurs and international leaders. 

“All participants are working in very similar communities, in vulnerable situations, not only in Paraguay but also in the United Kingdom and the United States, among others,” said Martín Burt, Director of the Fundación Paraguaya, at the beginning of Cerrito 2018. He also stated that poverty should not be measured from a monetary point of view alone, and that in order to end poverty we must create a path that brings together all sectors involved, using participation and motivation. 

Ana Mercedes Botero, Corporate Director of CAF Social Innovation, expressed the same idea: “This is an event with the potential to become a reference point for social innovation in the region and a meeting point for public and private players in civil society and academia. It is an event focused on generating positive changes in the region and impacting more open, participatory and effective public policies that incorporate a human and multidimensional view of poverty.” 

“One of the ways out of poverty is by motivating people in vulnerable situations so that they take the reins of their own destiny,” said Michael Walton of Harvard University. Carolina Robino of the IDRC said: “It is essential that we share what we are learning – not only the successes, but also the failures – so that others may avoid repeating something that doesn’t work.” 

Cerrito 2018 sought, among other goals, to consolidate the Fundación Paraguaya as an international reference in social innovation and the fight against poverty, as well as to publicize the Poverty Spotlight methodology as a practical and useful tool against multidimensional poverty. 

In addition to the exhibitors mentioned above, event highlights also include Diego Zavaleta, of the OPHI; Isabel Guerrero, of IMAGO; Oscar Calvo, of the World Bank; Luis Fernando Sanabria, of Fundación Paraguaya; Ana Botero, of CAF; Silvia Taurozzi, of Fundación Irradia; Brett Sanders, of the University of California – Irvine (UCI); Soledad Núñez, Minister of the SENAVITAT; Chritopher Rebstock, of the Global FoodBanking Network; Gustavo Koo, of Las Tacuaras SA, among others.