2020
Verónica (Vero) Mendieta Siordia
- Age: 28
- | She/her/hers
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Achieving human well-being and environmental conservation requires ensuring no one is left behind. It’s time to turn up the volume of the voices that haven’t been heard. Social and environmental justice NOW!
- Verónica (Vero) Mendieta Siordia
Bio
Veronica Mendieta Siordia was born and raised in Mexico. She studied abroad at the University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, and has a Biology Bachelor Degree from the National University of Mexico (UNAM). Professionally, she has worked as Climate Change and Cooperation Networks Advisor for the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) and as a consultant for the U.S. Forest Service. Her work is focused on promoting the conservation of natural and cultural heritage and diversity through the design and implementation of climate change adaptation strategies based on disaster risk reduction, sustainable development, gender equality, and local and indigenous communities’ empowerment in Latin America and the Caribbean.
What ignited your pursuit for gender equality?
My pursuit of gender equality was ignited after two key triggers. On the one hand, living through my own experience the inequalities and gender violence, and therefore want to be part of the change. And, on the other hand, meeting upstanding women who not only set an example but also inspired me in all aspects. Many times we want to support a cause or raise our voice, but we don't know where or how to start. I consider myself very lucky to have coincided with empowered, intelligent, beautiful, and fulfilling women who, without realizing it, helped me find my vocation: the collective fight for social and environmental justice. The teachings and examples they gave me were on a professional, personal, and spiritual level. Due to the fruitful germination of this seed, I was able to continue looking for more tools, training, spaces, communities, and networks to continue joining forces and achieving common goals.
Please share your biggest wins as an advocate for gender equality.
2022 - Being part of the Women’s Leadership in Conservation Seminar from the Colorado State University (CSU) and now part of the world community. 2021 – Collaboration with the UNAM TV Program “5 por CINCO” (5 by five). Co-leadership from the proposal development to the interview for the edition of the Climate change episode, in the second season. 2020 - Collaboration in the development of the Tool for the Development of Climate Change Adaptation Programs in Natural Protected A, which promotes participation with a gender approach and recognition and appreciation of cultural diversity, and the adoption of culturally relevant measures to broaden the participation of the various actors, communities, and indigenous peoples, in conservation. Annex 3 includes gender-responsive strategies and methodologies. 2019 - Participation in the composition of the Lima Youth Declaration at the III Congress of Protected Areas in Latin America and the Caribbean (III-CAPLAC) in Lima, Peru. Through the motto “We demand, we propose and we commit”, we demonstrate how crucial inclusive transgenerational participation is for achieving social and environmental justice toward a sustainable future for all. After this regional milestone, we formed the Young Leaders in Protected and Preserved Areas of Latin America and the Caribbean Network (Rellac-Joven).
Outside of your gender equality advocacy work, what do you enjoy doing?
Swimming, hiking, reading, cooking, dancing, volunteering, board games and hanging out with family and friends.
Languages Spoken:
- English (Advanced/Native)
- Spanish (Advanced/Native)
- French (Elementary)
- Spanish (Advanced/Native)
Publications:
Speaks On:
- Climate and environmental justice
- Women empowerment and leadership on climate change adaptation initiatives
- Creating change starting with you (Self-Development, Self-Management; Self-Awareness, Self-Knowledge, Self-Care, and Self-leadership)
Past Awards, Certifications, or Fellowships:
- Women’s Leadership in Conservation Seminar, Colorado State University’s (CSU) Center for Protected Area Management (2022)
- Training: Prevention of Sexual Exploitation and Abuse by UN Personnel by the United Nations (2022)
- I Know Gender 1-2-3: Gender international framework and equity by UN Women (2022)
- Advanced tools for the construction of agreements and the transformation of conflicts by the German Cooperation for Sustainable Development (GIZ) (2022)
- Social cost-benefit analysis tools by the German Cooperation for Sustainable Development (GIZ) (2019)
