My name is José Carlos Villatoro Palacios, I was born and raised in the Departmental Capital of Huehuetenango in Guatemala. I am 19 years old. I am a human rights activist, especially for Sexual and Reproductive Rights; and an activist for Climate Justice. I am passionate about reading and writing opinion pieces on different topics. I speak several languages including Spanish, French and English, as well as Guatemalan sign language.

When I was 14, I was a “Judge for a Day” in Huehuetenango’s Courts of Justice, where different problems were discussed and tangible solutions were presented to be implemented in public policies.

I participated in the “School Motivation Crusade” of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), in which I was recognized for contributing to a more just and equitable society.

I received an “Honorable Mention” from the Rotary Club of Huehuetenango District 4250 for achievements of academic excellence and for contributing to peace in my community through the Office of the Ombudsman for Human Rights and the Rights of Children and Adolescents.

At the age of 15 I started to work for the development of my community by starting with social projects and supporting different organizations in charitable causes as volunteers in nursing homes for the elderly and safe homes for children, girls and adolescents in situations of vulnerability such as street situations, domestic abuse, family neglect or sexual abuse.

I was “Youth Deputy” of the Department of Huehuetenango in the “Youth Parliament Guatemala 2018” held in the Congress of the Republic of Guatemala with the support of the Ministry of Education, the Hanns Seidel Stiftung Central America and the Caribbean Foundation and the Association of Legislative Development LEGIS and Democracy. Raising the voice for the children, adolescents and young people of my country, presenting a bill for the benefit of this group of vulnerable people.

I was part of the organization “Proyección Juvenil Huehuetenango” being a Youth Leader and then becoming President of the organization for 2018 and 2019. During this period it was possible to create awareness campaigns about the environment, empower young people, raise awareness about the law Guatemala and provide social assistance projects such as food, toys and clothing for vulnerable communities in the municipalities of Chiantla and Huehuetenango.

I have participated in forums and conferences in Guatemala and Mexico on gender equality, reduction of inequalities and climate change, in addition to giving talks and workshops in educational establishments in my community on issues related to the environment and the climate crisis, the new masculinities, sexual and reproductive rights and the empowerment of youth. I am currently a volunteer in several environmental and youth organizations of civil society at the national and international level.

I am “Ambassador of Guatemala in 1000 Acciones Por Un Cambio”, a movement that is led by hundreds of adolescents from Latin America and the Caribbean in which it seeks to generate 1000 Actions to mitigate climate change (a goal that has already been exceeded), I am also “Influencer Plan 12 ”, in adolescents they will be able to put into practice 12 skills to face today’s changing world, both projects by Concausa2030, an initiative of CEPAL, UNICEF and América Solidaria, which has the collaboration of Fundación Caserta and the sponsorship of the Pedro de Valdivia High School, which seeks to know and disseminate proposals for social innovation that adolescents and young people in America are developing in their communities, appropriating the United Nations 2030 Agenda and its Sustainable Development Goals, a set of global objectives for eradicate poverty, protect the planet and ensure prosperity for all.

I also belong to the Health Promoters Program for Young People, with a Gender and Human Rights Approach, and to the Seedbed: Women Leaders with Purpose ODS of the Fundación Mi Propósito that seeks the empowerment of women and men in order to create impact in our countries through creating projects and taking it into action.

I promote initiatives for the benefit of children in rural areas of my locality by providing them with personal hygiene kits, school supply kits, solidarity bags of food and clothing.

I created the movement of “Una voz, una revolución” where I offer courses totally free for boys and girls who need it and do not understand any subject at school to reinforce everything that is difficult for them.

I am the founder of “Voices For The Planet” environmental organization that seeks to promote the protection, conservation and care of the environment to mitigate the climate crisis.

I am part of “Wakaya Juventud” an organization of young people committed to intercultural dialogue. Where we share knowledge and reflections promoting change in our communities and allows us the maximum development of people. Knowing that Latin America is an unequal region, we trust that it has infinite human potential, especially among young people. I am also part of “Amnesty International”, a global community of more than seven million people fighting for social injustices.