We are often asked how we see leadership in SERES and it’s not a term we associate with power, authority and status, for us it’s all about the individuals next to us, our neighbors, our friends, the boy and the girl, raising their voice where they didn’t have one before. 

As we mention in our theory of change “We share a leadership that is distinct from that which has brought us here and shaped the predominant worldview. It is based on an understanding of the world that is deeply rooted in our common humanity, our connection to each other, and our connection to this Earth. It is a leadership that is committed to working authentically, inclusively and transformatively, taking responsibility for fellow human beings and translating it into actions to create a future that we can all live with.”

Now with COVID, I have read so many blogs and articles addressing the importance of local leaders, written from a desk in the north about the work on the Global South. More and more we are starting to see that international organizations that were leading big development projects in the region have left or have put their projects on hold. This has left the local organizations and leaders to respond urgently to the needs raised from COVID and the exacerbated social issues our communities are facing.  

I truly believe in the importance of local leaders because I am a local leader, I was given the opportunity to develop my capacities and leadership and I am doing all I can to contribute to social change in my country and its communities. 

All these I see in SERES, opening spaces for people that were not born with opportunities at their doorstep, and support them to develop their capacities, knowledge and attitudes to be resilient local leaders. 

Now more than ever, we need solutions to the wicked problems we are facing, but rural and marginalized communities have been facing them for decades. And the development sector has finally recognized that they are the right people to be leading and addressing the challenges.

Let me tell you that they are already doing it, and when given the tools, skills and opportunities to become leaders they do it authentically, inclusively and transformatively.

Look at Flor, a kakchiquel leader in Tecpán, started her leadership journey in 2016 and is now an entrepreneur, local influencer and change agent. She has started Granja Chi Siwan as a small business with her family to produce and sell organic local products and during COVID began teaching, alongside her brother, other families in her community how to build, design and develop organic gardens. 

Another leader that WOW’s me is Steven, he belonged to a community displaced by the eruption of Fuego in 2018, and is now in the new resettlement called La Dignidad. Steven started his leadership journey in 2015, and is now influencing other young people from La Dignidad to join forces in creating a “community”. 

This term was difficult for him to define as his - community - was destroyed, and now with a different vision and a group of engaged youth, he is redefining this term with small concentrated actions to engage neighbors, adults, kids and young people in new initiatives. 

I can’t imagine societies and communities without these leaders, they/we are the ones that are creating the change we need and we want to see. 

Please become a champion for local leaders in every space you can. 

Become an ally and share their stories to inspire others. 

I will continue to support and open spaces so many more of these young people can transform our communities and I want to invite you to join me in this challenge. Will you?

If you are interested in becoming a SERES Champion please contact me at info@seres.org

Sara Hurtarte - SERES coExecutive Director