One of the main values of the Enlighten Initiative is continuity; we know that sustainability is only possible through a long-term commitment. The Sustainable Development Association is the tool that assures the Enlighten legacy will continue. It is the biggest environmental activist group in Colombia led by young students, and its main function is a consistent fundraising for projects with our partners via social networks and real-life events. Our most successful examples are the fan-favorite Green Day at the Colegio Anglo Colombiano and Vaki websites that raise millions of Colombian pesos in every edition. These activities have contributed to most of our projects.
The success of the SDA comes from two sources: our intergenerational system and the role structure we have adopted. The intergenerational system refers to the contribution of different age groups to the cause, as students from 14-18 years old are enrolled. It is only our first year, but we have already established that this project will be passed on to the next generation at our school and city. This ensures that projects with Givepower and TGI continue to prosper, and through the years more and more people will be impacted. On the other hand, our role structure is based on the strengths of each of our members. We have specialized fields of finance, sustainability, innovation, creativity, fundraising and marketing and their respective directors. Each associate student is free to make part of their area of interest and enjoy the Enlighten experience. All of these areas are interconnected and work together towards a common goal, which is why we have had such success in the past.
As the SDA continues to expand, we are hopeful that with more members joining, a greater societal impact can be made. As leaders, we are pleased to see how many people are willing to continue our dream of advocating for a greener and more equitable future in Colombia.
