In our blog series “So, what is social commitment for you?”, we regularly introduce you to scholarship recipients and graduates of the SBW Berlin scholarship program. They talk about their social commitment, give tips for those who would also like to get involved socially but don’t know how to start, and share what they understand by social commitment.

A Contribution to Peace Building

The SBW Berlin team asked Diana a few questions on this topic. You can find her answers here:

Diana

1. How do you define social engagement?

The implementation of measures that have a positive impact on society in the short or long term and contribute to making the world a better place.

2. How long have you been socially engaged?

Since I finished my [law] studies [in 2020]. As soon as I finished my studies, I started training vulnerable communities on how to defend their rights through the legal process. Then I started working directly with a court, and for several years I have been working on my PAZALO project, which aims to contribute to peace and historical memory in my country [Columbia].

3. Why are you socially committed? And what motivates you to do so?

Because I am convinced that my profession must be [of] the service [to] society. I had the opportunity to see the impact of the armed conflict on new generations and I believe that historical memory is one of the foundations for ensuring non-repetition. And that is my main motivation. I want to do my part to make this a reality in my home country.

4. What tips do you have for someone who wants to get socially engaged in Berlin or their hometown?

Above all, to believe in the impulse in your heart […] to make a contribution to building a better society. From there, the rest will follow. Surround yourself with people who have similar goals, listen to how they’ve achieved them, sign up for training courses, and then get involved. There may be some pauses along the way, but the idea is [not to lose track of your goals].

Stay tuned for more interesting posts from our scholarship recipients and graduates on the topic of “Social Commitment” in the blog series “So, what is social commitment for you?”