How TREES came to be
The path that led us to create the initiative that researches, teaches and builds new narratives around inequalities.
One of the main achievements of humanity, at least judging by the magnitude of the transformations, is the improvement of the material well-being of hundreds of millions of people. However, the promise of sustained, sustainable and inclusive economic progress faces major challenges. Even the strongest economies do not seem prepared to combat the pressing problems of our time, such as persistent or increasing levels of inequality, political polarization, the impacts of new technologies or the implications of climate change.
One of the main achievements of humanity, at least judging by the magnitude of the transformations, is the improvement of the material well-being of hundreds of millions of people. However, the promise of sustained, sustainable and inclusive economic progress faces major challenges. Even the strongest economies do not seem prepared to combat the pressing problems of our time, such as persistent or increasing levels of inequality, political polarization, the impacts of new technologies or the implications of climate change.
Recognize this economic crisis, the Center for Economic Development Studies (CEDE) at the Faculty of Economics of the University of the Andes, responded to the invitation from the Ford Foundation, following in the footsteps of the Hewlett Foundation, to reimagine capitalism and acknowledge that this crisis demands a profound rethinking of the economy, in a multidisciplinary effort.
To contribute to this effort, CEDE created the TREES – Teaching and Researching Equitable Economics from the South initiative in 2022, with initial funding from the Ford Foundation. An initiative that seeks to investigate, teach and disseminate knowledge about inequalities, in a broad sense, and from the global south. TREES will challenge existing ideas in the economics profession and encourage the exploration of new knowledge in collaboration with other disciplines, institutions and countries.
Recognize this economic crisis, the Center for Economic Development Studies (CEDE) at the Faculty of Economics of the University of the Andes, responded to the invitation from the Ford Foundation, following in the footsteps of the Hewlett Foundation, to reimagine capitalism and acknowledge that this crisis demands a profound rethinking of the economy, in a multidisciplinary effort.
To contribute to this effort, CEDE created the TREES – Teaching and Researching Equitable Economics from the South initiative in 2022, with initial funding from the Ford Foundation. An initiative that seeks to investigate, teach and disseminate knowledge about inequalities, in a broad sense, and from the global south. TREES will challenge existing ideas in the economics profession and encourage the exploration of new knowledge in collaboration with other disciplines, institutions and countries.
The graphic identity of TREES
Since the creation of TREES, conversation with other disciplines has been key to finding different possibilities for creating and communicating economic knowledge. This is why, to build the brand of the initiative (what is known as branding), there was collaborative work with the Faculty of Architecture and Design of the Universidad de los Andes. The purpose: motivate undergraduate and graduate students to develop the visual identity of the initiative. This was done through a design competition launched on May 2, 2023.
Leopoldo Fergusson
He co-founded and established TREES. He is an economist and earned his PhD in Economics from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). His work primarily focuses on political economy and development economics, frequently delving into economic history. He serves as the director of the Center for Economic Development Studies (CEDE) and acts as the scientific director of EGAP's Latin American Regional Hub. He holds a particular interest in researching the political economy of inequality and exploring the cultural dimensions of inequality.
Contact
Correo: lfergusson@uniandes.edu.co
leopoldofergusson.com
economia.uniandes.edu.co/fergusson
Paula Jaramillo
She is an economist who obtained her PhD in Economics from the University of Rochester. Her research centers on microeconomic topics such as game theory, market design, axiomatic resource allocation, and matching theory. She harbors a particular interest in teaching and its potential to impact students' lives positively. Specifically, she is dedicated to comprehending and addressing inequalities within the classroom environment.
Contact
Correo: p.jaramillo26@uniandes.edu.co
Juan Camilo Cárdenas
He is the creator and co-founder of TREES. Holding a PhD in Environmental and Resource Economics from the University of Massachusetts - Amherst, he brings expertise as an industrial engineer to the field. His focus lies in analyzing and designing institutions that foster cooperation and resolve social dilemmas in the most equitable, democratic, and sustainable manner possible. Currently, he directs the Center for Sustainable Development Goals for Latin America and the Caribbean (CODS). He is deeply invested in influencing public policies aimed at constructing societies.
Contact
Correo: jccarden@uniandes.edu.co
Jimena Hurtado
She co-created and co-founded TREES. She is an economist and political scientist from the Universidad de los Andes, holding a PhD in Economics from the University of Paris X Nanterre. Her research focuses on economic philosophy and the intersection between economic philosophy and political philosophy. She leads the Center for Applied Ethics (CEA) at the Universidad de los Andes. She is dedicated to developing effective practices and educational materials to address the challenges of combating inequality in the Global South.
Contact
Correo: jihurtad@uniandes.edu.co
Silvia Mongelós
She holds a degree in International Relations and a Master's degree in Economics from the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM). Her expertise lies in the management and execution of international cooperation programs and projects. Her interest in coordinating actors, identifying opportunities, and facilitating processes has led her to engage in environmental initiatives, educational projects, and community support efforts across various Latin American regions.
Contact
Correo: s.mongelos@uniandes.edu.co
Juan Pablo Castilla
He is an economist with a Master's degree in Economics from Universidad de los Andes. Previously, he served as an economics professor at Colegio Los Nogales and currently teaches Introduction to Economics and Microeconomics at Universidad de los Andes. Additionally, he is the founder and general manager of Apata Colombia, a platform aimed at fostering peace and reducing inequalities through tourism initiatives. His research focuses on topics related to armed conflict, peacebuilding, education, and pedagogy. He is passionate about leveraging pedagogy to contribute to the reduction of inequalities.
Contact
Correo: jp.castilla10@uniandes.edu.co
Angie Carolina Bautista
She is a social communicator and journalist, holding a master's degree in Journalism from the Universidad de los Andes. Throughout her career, she has served as a journalist covering topics related to inclusive urban renewal. She has utilized journalistic approaches to address various academic research topics. She possesses a particular interest in participatory communication processes that engage communities from diverse backgrounds.
Contact
Correo: ac.bautista10@uniandes.edu.co
Karen Castro
Es licenciada en psicología y pedagogía de la Universidad Pedagógica, magister en infancia y cultura de la Universidad Distrital Francisco José de Caldas. Tiene experiencia en el fotalecimiento de proyectos y prácticas pedagógicas de docentes y directivos docentes que se desempeñan en contextos vulnerables. Su principal interés está en encontrar alternativas pedagógicas para lograr comunidades y entornos educativos más equitativos y diversos.
Contact
Correo: k.castroc@uniandes.edu.co
Andrés Bautista
He holds a Bachelor's degree in Education with a focus on Humanities and a Master's degree in Education. Currently, he is a doctoral student in Education at Universidad de los Andes, researching the role of communities of practice in the development of pedagogical practices. He's interested in teacher training processes and active learning strategies as means to transform inequalities through education.
Contact
Correo: wa.bautista10@uniandes.edu.co
David Becerra
He is an economist with a Master's degree in Economics from Universidad Industrial de Santander (UIS). His research experience has focused on education quality, labor markets, and measuring civic competencies. He's interested in understanding the factors influencing inequality of opportunities and designing public policies to mitigate them.
Contact
Correo: d.becerramedina@uniandes.edu.co
Juan Andrés Díaz Rojas
He's a student majoring in Economics and Literature at Universidad de los Andes. He's part of the Outreach team. He's also co-founder of a creative firm startup where he's been involved in project management. He's passionate about making economics more accessible to everyone and driving both social and business transformations.
Contact
Correo: j.diaz112@uniandes.edu.co