Zero Project: An experience of inclusion
What is inclusion?
Topic: Inclusive Employment – People with Disabilities
By: Rafael Arias , Education and Employment Manager at the Corona Foundation
In recent months I was invited to Santiago, Chile by the Descúbreme Foundation to participate in the Zero Project conference and moderate the panel “Education beyond the classrooms”.
With the Descúbreme Foundation, we have built cooperative ties thanks to the " Productivity Pact " model that we developed in Colombia, in conjunction with the Saldarriaga Concha Foundation , and which has subsequently been implemented in Chile. In fact, some time ago I had the opportunity to participate in the closing event for the first stage of the "Productivity Pact" model's implementation in Chile and to visit some leading foundations such as the San Carlos de Maipo Foundation and the Mustakis Foundation .
In its 2024 edition, Zero Project brought together nearly 300 representatives from various organizations dedicated to promoting the educational and labor inclusion of people with disabilities in Latin America.
What I most appreciated about the event was its inclusive approach: people with disabilities (visual, auditory, physical, intellectual, psychosocial and multiple) were not a minority, nor were they isolated, but were also protagonists, fully integrated into each of the activities.
What impressed me most about this experience was the culture of inclusion present at the event. From my arrival to my departure, I witnessed how people with disabilities were guaranteed every opportunity to participate actively.
I found this experience deeply inspiring, as it demonstrated how the inclusive dynamics of the conference should be reflected in all areas of society, whether in airports, educational institutions, businesses, or other places.
The lecture by Luis Gallegos Chiriboga , former Foreign Minister of Ecuador and renowned diplomat with more than 50 years of experience and training at Harvard University, entitled "Opportunities for Inclusion in an Aging World," offered a clear perspective on the global challenges to the well-being of older people and the impact of demographic aging, adapting to regional and national nuances; a topic that is rarely addressed in Colombia, except by initiatives such as those of the Saldarriaga Concha Foundation.
From this experience, two clear ideas emerged: a feeling of frustration at the distance that still separates us from being a truly inclusive society, but also a renewed hope that it is possible to achieve it.
I lived it and experienced it: although diverse efforts are required, many solutions are already available, from actions as simple as describing oneself while speaking on panels, to help visually impaired people get an idea of what the person addressing the public looks like, to the use of accessible functions in presentations made in PowerPoint.
On the other hand, it was enriching to learn firsthand about the innovative initiatives of Chilean foundations such as Descúbreme, San Carlos de Maipo, and Mustakis. I also deeply appreciated the fact that Colombian foundations like Saldarriaga Concha and Fundación Corona have been leading significant innovations, such as the "Productivity Pact" model, which offers opportunities for advancement in a world where older adults may face some form of disability.