Juliana Castro Escobar

In a nutshell, tell us about yourself.
I grew up in Colombia, the second most biodiverse country in the world, yet significantly challenged by social inequalities and complex environmental conflicts. Since my childhood, I nurtured a deep curiosity about the diverse ecosystems that surrounded me and about the challenges that the communities living within them constantly faced. This curiosity has driven me to work to create more equitable and holistic ways of engaging with nature, recognising our interconnectedness within a diverse network of living relations. Therefore, I have focused my career on designing and implementing projects related to climate change, rural development, deforestation, and agriculture.

In all, I have consistently explored the intersections of environmental change, social justice, gender, and development. I also have extensive fieldwork experience that has allowed me to develop social research and participatory strategies in collaboration with rural and indigenous communities.

What are your loves?
Hikes. Beaches, mountains, and tropical jungles. Good conversations. My friends and family. Music, dance, and photography.

When are you happiest?
When I’m traveling and when I’m dancing. If it’s dancing outdoors, even happier.

How would you like to be remembered?
As a curious and generous woman who enjoyed life and worked for catalysing collective action to make the world a livelier place.

What book has changed your life?
It’s hard to name just one. Recently I read Walk Through Walls by Marina Abramović, and it inspired profound reflections about the importance of living the present moment with full-body awareness. How to Change your Mind by Michael Pollan and One River by Wade Davis have also been transformative.