an authentic soup of cultures from elements of Non-Governmental Organizations (NGO), from various countries, received a serrano flavor from the Algarve, in a new event for the formation of future leaders in the area of sustainability, held by the international organization LEAD in Querença.
Young people of different nationalities spent five days in this village in the municipality of Loulé, to learn leadership techniques and reflect on models of intervention in the interior. Along the way, they left some ideas for the sustainable development of the host community, based on the Querença Project, an initiative to stimulate the local economy launched in 2011.
This is the second time that the city of Loulé has been chosen by LEAD to carry out an action of this nature, after a first action in 2012. The inspiration is the Querença Project, which attracted the attention of the LEAD organization and, during these training actions, it works as a working tool for the trainees and the object of the final conclusions.
The 14 participants in the training, who arrived from different countries and represent different cultures, «meet with local agents, interviewed various representatives of Algarve institutions, visited the field, talked with the young people of Projeto Querença 1 and 2» and, from there, a set of suggestions were put forward, in order to boost the project and stimulate the local economy.
“This time we have people from even further away. We have a graduate from Mexico, another from Brazil, one who is half Canadian, half Indian, who works in Geneva, English people of Indian origin and people from other countries in Europe. There were also at least five who should have come from Africa and Pakistan who, unfortunately, could not be present, due to visa problems», he told the Sul Informação the LEAD representative in Portugal Matias Linder.
“This was a learning event, not only for those undergoing training, but also for the community. Taking advantage of the existence of the Querença Project, learning is shared with the entities that are linked to this initiative», explained Matias Linder. Institutions such as the University of Algarve, through CRIA, the CCDR of the Algarve, the Câmara de Loulé and the Manuel Viegas Guerreiro Foundation, in whose premises this action took place, were linked to the LEAD initiative.
Satisfied graduates and… in love with Querença
At the final event, in which some suggestions were presented on how the Querença Project could be boosted, the 14 participants did not hide their satisfaction with the training action and with Querença. Some of the participants stated that they “loved” Querença and the experience they had, and even spoke of “reforming here”.
“Hearing these words, after these five days, is a great satisfaction. There was a lot of commitment, learning and important work. And I think it's also very useful for the Querença project and for elements from other entities, who were here to hear opinions from outside. Something that I found very interesting is that a few days ago we had a meeting that brought together government bodies, NGOs and other projects similar to the one in Querença. And because we're here, they started talking to each other,” added the LEAD representative.
After the final session, in which they contributed to a potential evolution of the Querença Project, the trainees were satisfied, as they had access to LEAD's methodology and tools and the opportunity to «apply knowledge in a real environment», as illustrated by Gabriel Neira vote, who came from Brazil.
“It was great to be here with people from so many places, as we have different experiences, as we work in different areas. We were here with an open mind and it was possible to use design thinking tools before moving on to any conclusions. We feel a great responsibility to, more than write some ideas, think deeply and come up with solutions that can make a structural difference here in Querença», added Silvia grattieri from Italy.
«We didn't spend many days here, but we believe that Querença has great potential, in terms of natural and human resources. There is a very big demographic problem here. But the economic crisis is creating the possibility of a different development», framed Gabriel.
Thus, the group of 14 future leaders put forward several ideas, which include, in the first place, a wide dissemination of Querença and its potential, based on a strong identity brand, as well as the commitment to sustainable tourism, cultural heritage, agriculture and in the creation of cooperation networks.
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