The UNESCO Amazon Water Resilient Challenge – Ecuador 2025 brings together young water leaders from across the region and connects them with experts working at the forefront of water, environment, and climate issues. The trainings featured a diverse lineup of speakers – researchers, practitioners, and academics, who shared their knowledge and experience on topics ranging from biosphere reserves to climate resilience, water governance, and ecosystem services.
Here’s a look at the experts who guided the participants through the first phase of the program:
Dr. Igor Ogorshawara
Postdoctoral Researcher,
Leibniz-Institute of Freshwater Ecology and Inland Fisheries
Leibniz-Institute of Freshwater Ecology and Inland Fisheries
Dr. Pablo Ochoa
Professor - Researcher,
Universidad Técnica Particular de Loja – UTPL
Universidad Técnica Particular de Loja – UTPL
Dr. María Cecilia Alvarado
Professor - Researcher,
Universidad del Azuay
Universidad del Azuay
Dr. Santiago Ochoa
Professor - Researcher,
Universidad Técnica Particular de Loja – UTPL
Universidad Técnica Particular de Loja – UTPL
Dr. Sumiran Rastogi
PhD Candidate,
IHE Delft Institute for Water Education
IHE Delft Institute for Water Education
Dr. Jampel Dell’Angelo
Associate Professor of Water Governance & Politics,
Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam
Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam
Prof. Santiago Núñez Mejía
Investigador Doctoral/ PhD Researcher,
Universidad del Azuay
Universidad del Azuay
Ing. Arturo Jiménez
President,
Fundación Ecológica Arcoiris
Fundación Ecológica Arcoiris
Martín Vega
External Consultant,
UNESCO
UNESCO
Gregor van Essen
Co-founder & Managing Director,
The Water Agency
The Water Agency
Ana Clara Cassanti
Project Coordinator,
The Water Agency
The Water Agency
