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‘We are still looking at young people as the future, but they are the present,’ Alejandro Valderrama Herrera said when asked why he chose his career. In a world that often sidelines youth perspectives, Alejandro commits himself to understanding their hopes and struggles, particularly in regions marked by conflict, from Bogotá to Belfast.

In Belfast, despite the peace walls, Alejandro observes a persistent divide between young people. Schools remain religiously segregated and racism continues to harm the community. These divisions, he explains, are reinforced by labels ‒ labels that, whether in academia or society, perpetuate singular identities and create barriers. Alejandro said that his mission is to break down these barriers through intergenerational dialogue.

The Art Dialogue Initiative with Beyond Skin is one avenue through which Alejandro aims to foster genuine conversation between young people and those who label them ‒ typically their parents, professors, or other authority figures. The project brings young and older generations together through workshops that address topics such as migration, diversity and peacebuilding.

Alejandro stresses the importance of building trust for these workshops to succeed. ‘You need to build trust with your group so they will be more open. If they have confidence, they can share with others,’ he said. This is why art is central to the initiative. ‘Art takes away the pressure of talking about sensitive issues,’ he said noting how creating art provides a safe space for dialogue. Alejandro often incorporates music into these workshops, observing how it transforms engagement and body language, and helps generate dialogue and trust.

While Alejandro champions the role of youth in peacebuilding, he recognises the challenges they face. ‘Peacebuilding comes with a cost,’ he said, often paid in the form of criticism or even violence. For many young people, the risks of standing up for their rights may drive them towards joining armed groups or drug gangs, which seem like easier paths.

Despite these obstacles, Alejandro remains hopeful. This hope drives his ongoing work with EthicalOrigin.ie – connecting young people in Colombia’s conflict-affected regions with ethical markets abroad. Former coca farmers now grow chocolate, blending peacebuilding with food systems, climate action, and sustainable development. In these post-conflict settings, EthicalOrigin.ie protects the forests where these products grow, supporting legal livelihoods and creating sustainable alternatives with social and environmental impact. By focusing on the nexus of food, trade, human rights, peace, and sustainable development, EthicalOrigin.ie puts people and the environment at the forefront, ensuring 100% transparency and traceability in the supply chain. ‘Share value and share responsibility,’ is their guiding principle.

Alejandro said he believes in the power of collective action to transform local realities. ‘Young people can make a significant difference if they are listened to and follow their passion.’ This passion should not be conventionally political to enact change. ‘Even though I’m not involved with the local council, I participate in my cultural dancing group. As long as you do something for the common good, you can make a difference.’ In advocating for youth empowerment, Alejandro said he hopes to broaden the definition of peacebuilding. ‘Peace starts within us, spreads to others, and includes the environment,’ ‒ a multifaceted vision that he pursues through his work.