Ashoka's Changemakers

Marketing Communications Associate

Nike - Changemakers "Sport for a Better World" Competition

Roberto is an Ecuadorian lawyer with an extensive background in the field of human rights. He holds a Master degree in International Law and has diverse work experience ranging from serving in the non-profit sector, with governmental institutions as well as with intergovernmental organizations, including the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights in Geneva.

His passion for social justice and desire to work with a vibrant civil society led Roberto to South Africa where he worked with CIVICUS and led projects related to promoting and protecting the space for civic groups to freely associate, assemble and express, in countries such as Zimbabwe, Belarus and Bangladesh. After two years working with CIVICUS, Roberto moved to Canada with his wife where he volunteered with the Institute for Media, Policy and Civil Society (IMPACS) as coordinator for the Charities and Democracy Project. During his first year in Vancouver, Roberto was appointed member of the Board of The Peoples' Advocacy Society where he volunteers as an advocate assisting people with disabilities in the Eastside area of Vancouver. Roberto believes that inspiring collective and active citizenship is the most effective way to bring about change towards a more just and sustainable society. Building on this conviction, Roberto, together with a group of activists, recently co-founded an organization to empower citizens with tools for action. Roberto now serves as Director and Secretary-Treasurer of this organization - The Institute for Citizen Journalism. Currently, Roberto works with Ashoka's Changemakers as Outreach consultant.