WYCJ in Latin-America

WYCJ’s Latin American Front is a regional campaign of the World’s Youth for Climate Justice to reflect regional priorities and perspectives in the advisory opinions on climate change before the International Court of Justice and the Inter-American Court of Human Rights. We collaborate with regional and local human rights organizations, youth, and civil society movements in academic, capacity building, and policy initiatives.

In 2022, we worked to get as many Latin-American States on board with the UNGA resolution that requested the ICJ AO on climate justice. Since March 29th, 2023, our goals have been to positively influence the participation of these states in the proceedings (with the inclusion of youth, communities, and strong human rights arguments) as well as building capacity in youth movements to effectively engage with these proceedings.

Follow our journey on Instagram @wy4cj.latam

To reach out to us, email: latinamerica@wy4jc.org

Our Team

José Daniel Rodríguez-Orúe – Front Coordinator (Costa Rica)

José combines his experience in human rights law with a deep passion for climate justice, striving to bridge, States, youth, and institutions into meaningful global advocacy. He has worked as legal consultant for the Center for Justice and International Law, the Institute for Governance and Sustainable Development and as Legal Assistant at the Inter-American Court of Human Rights. He's currently pursuing an LLM in Public International Law at the London School of Economics and Political Science.
Email: jose@wy4cj.org
Mariana Campos Vega – Deputy Front Coordinator (México)

Mariana is a law student passionate about international environmental law. She has been an activist since 2018, when she presented a legislative proposal for the regulation of single-use plastics in her home state. She co-founded with other Mexican activists “Escazu Ahora Mexico” with the purpose of accelerating Mexico’s ratification of the Escazu Agreement and its entry into force in the region. Mariana leads our Front’s strategy for the Inter-American Court’s Advisory Opinion.
Email: mariana@wy4cj.org
Esteban Oyarzún Gómez – Campaigner (Chile)

Esteban is a Graduate in Legal and Social Sciences from the Austral University of Chile. Co-founder of the Circle of Studies on International Human Rights Law (CEDIDH). Editorial assistant for the blog Agenda Estado de Derecho of the Rule of Law Program for Latin America of the Konrad Adenauer Foundation.
Laura Restrepo Alameda – Campaigner (Colombia)

Laura is Co-founder and national co-facilitator of the Colombian Platform for Children and Youth. Educator and young leader of the Earth Charter International, national co-coordinator of the International Network of SDG Promoters Colombia, Vice President of Strategic Development at SPEED (Student Platform for Engineering Education), and member of the board of directors of the Green Chamber of Commerce for the period 2023-2025. Member of the steering committee of the Water and Climate Pavilion for COP29 on Climate Change. Part of the network of Young Leaders of the Earth Charter.
Rodrigo – Campaigner (México)

Rodrigo is an interactive media designer and climate activist, with active participation in youth movements and NGOs since 2019, including key roles in the Re-Earth Initiative and Fridays For Future MAPA and Digital. He contributed to notable campaigns such as #EscazuYa and #ClimateJusticeIsRacialJustice. His focus lies in using design as a tool to inspire and generate a positive impact.
Isidora Halabi – Campaigner (Chile)

Isidora is currently studying Law at the Austral University of Chile. As a Law student, she has been passionate about the area of International Human Rights Law throughout her career, participating in seminars, conferences, and assisting professors in research.
Alejandro Jaimes – Campaigner (Colombia)

Alejandro Jaimes is a university student and socio-environmental activist from Bogotá, Colombia, with experience in planning demonstrations to demand the ratification and effective implementation of the Escazú Agreement. He’s part of the community conservation process of the “El Burro” wetland to protect water bodies and improve local climate adaptation. He is a facilitator at the Colombian Platform for Children and Youth, part of the communications team of the Regional Youth Network for Escazú, a member of the Youth Coalition for Loss and Damage, and the Regional Coordinator for Latin America of ANGRY.

WYCJ Latin-America in the media

Organizaciones latinoamericanas se unen a campaña en búsqueda de una Opinión Consultiva sobre cambio climático de la Corte Internacional de Justicia. LINK