The new Programe Manager of the Centre! by Alonso Muñoz

 In Centre News

Back in 2007, I took a two-month vacation from my job to attend an International Youth Meeting that I had been invited to direct in northern Germany – back then, I was a working as a designing engineer in an electrical equipment company. Even though I had volunteered for several years with the organization hosting the meeting, it was during that time in Germany that I realized how much I really enjoyed working with people and how good I felt working for a greater good. There, I realized that I needed a career change; and the two-month vacation became a permanent leave.

It was thanks to an email forwarded by a friend that I first heard about the UPEACE Centre for Executive Education. The Skills for Nonprofit Leadership course was being offered, and from where I was standing it seemed like a great place to start. I loved the topics, the dynamic format, and even the fact that it was run by a Centre for Executive Education of the UN-mandated University for Peace. I applied, had a nice chat with Mohit, and that was it. It turned out to be the best course I had ever taken, and I’m really glad I made the decision to be part of it.

A few months later, I started working as the Centre’s Coordinator. During the first year I was overwhelmed by the interesting courses offered, and by the amount of friendly, passionate, and interesting people I met. We received University groups, ran engaging open enrollment courses, organized Appreciation Receptions with our Costa Rica-based partners, and visited the Manuel Antonio National Park and the Monteverde Reserve more often than ever before – I thought it couldn’t get any better!

Until now.

During the last two years the Centre has evolved rapidly and almost in every way. We’re now facing new challenges and developing new projects, and thanks to a friendly and very well-managed environment, I’m part of every one of them. Now the frontiers have widened and I’m not only in charge of managing existing projects but also representing the Centre at events and new partnerships. We’re very excited about the launching of the Online course and our new Ecotourism course, reaching out to more people in more countries than ever before! Being the Program Manager of the Centre fills me with pride, and I can’t wait for what we’ll be able to do in the next months!

Thanks so much for all your support in these two years.

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