Blanca Ríos Rodríguez

Academic background: Bachelor of Science in Economics (BScEcon) and Postgraduate Diploma in Territorial Development, Planning and Management from Universidad Pedagógica y Tecnológica de Colombia (UPTC).

Areas of interest: Conflict prevention and peacebuilding; post-conflict recovery; environment, trafficking and crime: transnational issues and international governance; humanitarian aid; and natural resource management.

Languages spoken: Spanish, English and Portuguese.

Blanca's background includes involvement in both professional and voluntary capacities that have helped her to become an effective change-maker, with a primary focus on alleviating poverty through the reconstruction of sound business environments, equitable distribution of resources and acceptance of the rights of others.

As a professional, Blanca has been part of organisations such as Clever Finance and UPTC University, building peace through the promotion of youth business development in the rural areas of her country, Colombia. Additionally, she has worked in the Institute of Justice and Peace Pablo VI, Santo Tomás University. Here, Blanca was responsible for leading peacebuilding projects focusing on the socioeconomic recovery in fragile areas affected by illegal activities and conflict. This involved empowering vulnerable communities through reintegration and reconciliatory processes, teaching valuable skills in sustainable social entrepreneurship and replacing illegal activities.

As a volunteer, Blanca participated in AIESEC in Brazil, leading empowering workshops for women affected by violence. Moreover, she held the position of Vice-President of Incoming Global Volunteer, co-ordinating social projects based on the Sustainable Development Goals with international co-operators.

Blanca engaged with Rotaract District 4281, leading projects based on the organisation's areas of interest in vulnerable communities, such as: Eco-bricks and Peace Sumercé. She was also a co-founder of the National Network of Rotaract Youth for Peace.

Blanca received training from War Beyond World and Rotary International, sharing international spaces with people from all over the world, learning about positive peace; education and action; human rights; and peace and war systems.