Diego Vallejo Garcia (he/him)

How are you using education to build more sustainable and equitable communities? Tell us about your EE work and impact. 

I use environmental education to show how our surroundings impact health, well-being, and community sustainability. My generalist approach allows me to integrate science, innovation, and everyday practices, creating learning experiences that connect theory with action.

At Universidad del Pacífico, I design activities for medical students that combine STEAM, theater, podcasts, environmental assessments, and community walks, fostering reflection on the relationship between the environment and health. To date, over 500 students have participated, developing leadership and environmental awareness that they apply in hospitals and communities.

Through projects like Sustainable Homes, I train people to implement sustainable practices in their households to help mitigate climate change, replicating actions such as waste separation and energy efficiency in their neighborhoods. As coordinator of Americana Box, we bring science, technology, and creativity to remote communities in Paraguay, fostering curiosity, critical thinking, and collaboration.

My work combines innovation, education, and social commitment, generating tangible impact: students, faculty, and communities adopt sustainable practices and become agents of change. I firmly believe that education not only transmits knowledge but also inspires action and builds more equitable and resilient communities.

Tell us about your journey to where you are today. What inspired you? What has your path been like? 

My journey began in Colombia, where I trained as a geological engineer. However, upon moving to Paraguay in search of better opportunities, I discovered that my true vocation lay in environmental education. I started from the bottom, doing photocopying at Universidad del Pacífico, but that experience taught me the value of perseverance and inspired me to create small projects to improve environmental management at the university.

Over time, these ideas grew: I set up waste separation points, connected the university with local recyclers, and developed projects recognized for their impact. One of them, Sustainable Homes, was selected by a program of the United States Embassy and allowed me to demonstrate how sustainability can begin at home.

Today, I am a faculty member and project coordinator, promoting creativity, science, and environmental awareness in communities across Paraguay. My inspiration comes from seeing how education transforms lives and how small actions can generate significant change. My path has not been easy, but every challenge has reinforced my purpose: to build a more sustainable and humane future through education.

How can people learn more about or support your work? 

People can learn more about my work by following the projects I coordinate and the spaces where I am active. I currently coordinate Americana Box, a project by the United States Embassy that brings science, technology, and creativity to remote communities in Paraguay.

They can also explore the initiatives I implement at Universidad del Pacífico, where I design innovative learning experiences in Ecology and Environment for Medicine students, integrating STEAM methodologies, gamification, and artificial intelligence.

I am not very active on social media, but I use LinkedIn to share my activities and initiatives, as well as to connect with professionals and institutions interested in sustainability, innovation, and environmental education.

To support my work, people can get involved as collaborators in the projects, participate in training sessions and workshops we organize, share our initiatives within their communities, or connect with me through LinkedIn. This type of collaboration allows projects to grow, generate environmental and educational impact, and develop leaders committed to sustainability and innovation.

A Little More About Me

What are your hobbies?

Singing, dancing, making miniatures, and designing with artificial intelligence.

What is a project you are passionate about outside of work?

Promoting STEAM skills at the CCPA Maker Lab.

What song or artist has lifted your spirits lately?

"The Final Countdown" by Europe