By Isabel De la Masa

Oscar is a young man who went to the Training Program for Participative Leaders (PELP), developed since 2001 in various cities of Chile, and is now on the Board of Directors of  ICA Chile. He works for radio and TV and is active in promoting equal opportunities for people who are physically challenged.

In this interview, he talks about his participation in ICA Chile’s programs and the ToP methods he learnt during virtual Conferences for North and South America organized by the Global Leadership Team last year.

1. What’s your relationship to ICA Chile?

My relationship started in 2002 when I went to a course on leadership at the Children’s Institute of Rehabilitation and since then I’ve participated in conventions and seminars.

2. What did the Training Program for Participative Leaders (PELP) mean for you?

PELP was very powerful. I learnt that the leader is not only the one who is in charge of a project but that I can be a leader by letting others know my insights. I also learnt how to organize myself when I’m in charge or when I’m part of a project. I learnt  brainstorming and classify contents so as to not get confused, etc. It has been a great tool in my daily activities.

3. What do you think of juvenile leadership in this country?

There are young leaders who are very easily influenced by others and are very stubborn; they don’t know the real meaning of the word leadership.

4. How can you collaborate with ICA Chile?

I can let others know about ICA Chile through the media as I work in Radio and TV.

5. What do you think of the virtual Conferences you’ve attended?

They are extraordinary for two very important reasons: first of all, we have the means to communicate on-line, and that means a lot of time and money saved, money you spend on going from one place to the other. And second, the design of the meetings is very didactic and amusing, and that’s a big plus.

6. .How have the PELP Programs helped the young people who have attended them during the last 10 years

Youngsters have learnt that they can solve any problem in a short time, with just 5 questions. Besides this, they learn how to face all kinds of challenges and that is very important.

7. What are the next steps for young people who have participated in a PELP Program?

They should support and work on their community’s social problems, for they and their neighbors have to face them daily. Besides that, they can work at their Community Centers so that what they have learnt will benefit more people.