University of Chile student takes first place in the national Ideas for the Future Contest 2021

Based on research seeking to provide alternative solutions to the economic and social crises currently underway in Latin America and the Caribbean as result of the pandemic, University of Chile student Sebastian Guillermo Pino Gonzalez was named first phase winner of the 2021 “Ideas for the Future” contest.

This contest is promoted by CAF and its main purpose is to reward student initiatives that promote development in the region. In his winning essay entitled “Latin America and the Caribbean at a key crossroads: Regional integration as a response to the Covid-19crisis”, Sebastian proposes the integration of the region as an alternative, through social and institutional actions, in order to unify and strengthen the group of countries facing a crisis such as Covid-19 and to be prepared for future eventualities.

Sebastian states in his paper that “Interregional coordination is key and collaboration is needed from all areas that have been affected by the pandemic. Building a space for discussion, where possibilities for mutual support can really be brought about, is paramount.”

As such, Sebastian is listed as one of the winners going on to the second phase of the contest, where he can compete at the Ibero-American level with the winners from the 19 countries making up the CAF shareholder team.

It is also important to note that University of Concepción student Javier Ignacio Sepúlveda Estrada obtained a special mention in the contest with his essay”Regional integration and strategic autonomy: two necessary tools for articulating tomorrow”, where he analyses how fractured international relations between countries are based on the lack of regional integration and that it is necessary to work on these aspects so that the region can be better prepared to face future crises.

“The path can be complicated, especially in times of liquid, changing and dissimilar orders. However, it is possible to build regionalism and autonomy in these turbulent times through gradual and concise actions, since what are most valuable are those actions taken on the basis of prior agreements made,” concludes Javier Sepúlveda. 

The third edition of “Ideas for the Future” succeeded in bringing together more than 4,000 participating students across the region. This edition focused on opportunities for building a sustainable recovery, which will help overcome the health, economic and social crises that the region is undergoing as a result of COVID-19.