Veronica Vargas
Communication and anthropology for development
PROFILE
Professional in social development, promoting health and food systems. Combines knowledge and expertise in social intervention, policy development and communications with anthropological insights. Proficiency in intercultural teamwork and cross-domains analysis gained through the coordination of participatory processes.
LANGUAGES
Spanish: native
English: advanced
French: independent user
Italian: beginner
Dutch: beginner
SOFTWARE COMPETENCIES
Microsoft Office:
highly competent
Adobe Creative Ensuite 6:
highly competent
HTML, CSS, CMS:
highly competent
Atlas Ti, Nvivo:
competent
WORK EXPERIENCE
11/2019– 07/2020
04/2017– 09/2017
08/2015–3/2017
10/2012–07/2015
05/2011–12/2011
01/2011–04/2011
10/2007–10/2009
09/2006–05/2007
Research consultant
Ekorural/FLACSO, Quito (Ecuador)
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Technical support in the evaluation of risk factors for Non-Communicable Diseases, food intake and nutrition in the research project “Evaluate alternative food networks to prevent diabetes mellitus and hypertension”.
Health Promotion Consultant: Bi-national Project Ecuador-Peru
Pan American Health Organization / World Health Organization, Quito (Ecuador)
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Technical support for inter-sectoral and inter-institutional plans on maternal and child health in the Amazonas frontier Ecuador-Peru.
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Research supervisor for the survey on maternal and child nutritional health.
Health Promotion Specialist: Nutrition, Food Security and Food Sovereignty
Ministry of Health, Quito (Ecuador)
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Development, advisory, monitoring and implementation of public policies.
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Support in international processes related to nutrition and food systems.
Community Health Program and Training Specialist
Peace Corps, Ecuador, Quito (Ecuador)
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Technical assistance to volunteers developing and implementing health projects at the community level.
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Trainer of trainers in non-formal education methodologies.
Healthy Municipalities and Communities Consultant
Pan American Health Organization / World Health Organization, Quito (Ecuador)
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Technical assistance developing and strengthening health processes with local governments.
National Survey of Integral Infant Development (DEIN) Researcher
Instituto Nacional de Estadísticas y Censos, SENPLADES (Ecuador)
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Evaluation of the nutritional and psychomotor development of children (0-59 months)
Health of the Indigenous Peoples Regional Program Consultant
Pan American Health Organization / World Health Organization, Quito (Ecuador)
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Technical assistance in communications (multimedia and organization of events) and in the development of health projects.
Multimedia lifelong learning projects, Trainee
Tempo Training & Consulting, Ostrava (Czech Republic)
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Adaptation of European Union education projects for groups in risk of exclusion for multimedia platforms (web and graphic design, content editing).
EDUCATION
09/2017– 06/2019
09/2009–10/2010
08/2001–06/2006
08/2003–06/2004
08/2003–05/2006
Advanced Master in Cultural Anthropology and Development Studies
KU Leuven (Belgium)
▪ Thesis: Analysis of the modification of sweet taste preferences.
VLIR-UOS Scholarship - Magna Cum Laude. GPA: 82%
Master of Social Sciences and Social Intervention. Interculturalism, Multiculturalism, and Diversity
Universidad Pablo de Olavide. Sevilla, (Spain)
▪ Final Project: Ecological model of human development in nutrition programs in context of diversity.
GPA: 8,6/10
B.A. Digital Arts: Multimedia and Animation
Universidad San Francisco de Quito, Quito (Ecuador)
Miguel Angel Scholarship - Magna Cum Laude. GPA: 3,8/4
Education Abroad: Brethren Colleges Abroad
Juniata College, Pennsylvania (USA)
Brethren Colleges Abroad Scholarship
Minor International Relations
Universidad San Francisco de Quito, Quito (Ecuador)
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
PRESENTATIONS
COURSES
POLICIES AND TECHNICAL DOCUMENTS
VOLUNTEER WORK
INTERESTS
43rd Meeting of the Committee on World Food Security,
October 17-21, 2016 at FAO Rome, Italy
Special Event: Creating ownership for 2030 Agenda for the people through all levels of collaboration.
Presentation: Food sovereignty principles to reach SDG 2
Communication and Social Marketing in Health Programs Seminar.
San Francisco de Quito University, Quito, 05/2009.
Field School: Tourism and Development in the South Ethiopian Rift Valley.
KU Leuven Institute for Anthropological Research in Africa (Ethiopia). 02/2018
Policy for Mother and Baby Friendly Health Institutions
National Ecuadorian norm that guarantees the culturally adequate birth and protection of breastfeeding. Ministry of Health.
Quito, Ecuador. September 2016
Policy for Healthy Restaurants
Aimed to improve the food offer and information in restaurants and cafeterias.
Quito, Ecuador. 03/2017
Social determinants of health of the Indigenous Peoples of the Americas.
Report. PAHO/WHO.
Quito, Ecuador. 10/2008.
Administrative responsibility for the ‘Veggie Bag’
KU Leuven university initiative to promote local, seasonal, organic fruits and vegetables.
2018-2019
United Nations Online Volunteer (UNOV)
Volunteer for projects in the area of visual communication.
2008
De la Calle a la Cumbre volunteer
Mountain guide in a project aimed for children living in shelters in Quito.
2008
Member of the Committee of Market Users
Consumers protection group in Ecuador.
2016-Present
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Independent qualitative researcher on food consumption.
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Comic drawing and character design.
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Mountain climber, ultra-marathon runner, biker.