Diego Laurenti Sellers

1-WHAT PROMPTED YOU TO APPLY FOR A POSITION?

After completing my Master’s thesis on indigenous autonomy and experiencing firsthand the challenges indigenous Andean peoples face to implement their own models of development, I wanted to see how these issues are understood at the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO). I applied for an internship with the Mountain Partnership Secretariat to gain insight into the ways in which indigenous issues are framed and confronted at FAO, with the hope of contributing to making them a top priority.

2- WHAT ARE YOU MOST PROUD OF IN YOUR WORK WITH THE MOUNTAIN PARTNERSHIP SECRETARIAT?

Because of my interest in indigenous issues, I was able to participate in the meetings of the FAO Indigenous Peoples Working Group. As part of the working group, I learned about the changes underway at FAO and about the strategies that indigenous activists are using to make their voices heard.

3- WHAT DOES A NORMAL DAY AT WORK LOOK LIKE FOR YOU?

In the first half of my internship, my day-to day-work was supporting communications: drafting and reviewing text for publications, translating submissions and articles from Spanish to English and vice-versa, and launching and updating databases. In the second half of my internship, these activities were complemented with a research project to map the lands, organizations and food systems of mountain peoples around the world. 

4- WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE SOMEONE WISHING TO JOIN AS VOLUNTEER?

Your time with the Mountain Partnership Secretariat at FAO will be a learning experience. Keep your eyes and ears open, and don’t be afraid to ask questions.