PRESS RELEASE

• Catalina Cock Duque, a sociologist, political scientist, and graduate of the London School of Economics in England, has led Mi Sangre Foundation in developing extraordinary leadership to rebuild trust in territories fragmented by violence and achieve the desire of all Colombians to live in peace.
• The Foundation was created 17 years ago by the artist Juan Esteban Aristizábal Vásquez, Juanes, and Catalina Cock, who joined as a co-founder and current president, to fulfill the organization’s purpose: empowering new generations of Colombians to be protagonists in building a culture of peace.

Davos, Switzerland, January 16, 2024. (@fmisangre) – Mi Sangre Foundation is proud to announce that its president, Catalina Cock Duque, has been honored with the prestigious Social Innovator of the Year award from the Schwab Foundation and the World Economic Forum. This award recognizes her contribution to the transformation of social realities and her positive impact on Colombian society, benefiting a population of more than two million people and mobilizing seven million more in causes such as the prevention of forced recruitment of children and youth by armed groups, integration of migrants, and mental health care, among others.

This recognition is evidence of the 17 years of the organization’s work, founded by the renowned artist Juan Esteban Aristizábal Vásquez, Juanes, and later joined by social entrepreneur Catalina Cock Duque as a co-founder. “The collaboration of each of us in our roles – Juanes as an artist and me as a social entrepreneur with a focus on social innovation, conscious leadership, and activation of national and global networks for sustainable development – has allowed us to fulfill our purpose of empowering new generations of Colombians to be main characters in the creation of a peace culture” affirms Catalina.

As a sociologist, political scientist, and master’s graduate in Social Policy and Development from the London School of Economics in England, Catalina has guided Mi Sangre Foundation in developing extraordinary leadership to rebuild trust in territories fragmented by violence and achieve the aspiration of all Colombians to live in peace.

At a time when the world is filled with uncertainty, Catalina received this award, which highlights her innovative skills for social transformation. Catalina assures that, “In times of crisis hope is a duty.”

Mi Sangre Foundation, through various projects and programs, is active in 29 departments and 275 municipalities in Colombia, and has led projects in Guatemala and South Africa. The foundation works promoting leadership, especially in young people, to support the rebuilding of trust among communities, teachers, local authorities, police, non-governmental organizations, businesses, and other local organizations to achieve deep and long lasting transformations, to promote a peace culture.

Press Contacts:
Nataly Erazo, 300-213-3561
[email protected]

Angela Riaño, 321-481-7493 – Jorge Riaño, 321-268-0192

Link to Broadcasts:

Tuesday, January 16, 10:15 a.m. Col. Winners’ Remarks

Wednesday, January 17, 8:15 p.m. Col. Award Presentation.

https://www.weforum.org/events

Link to Press Kit:
https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/182yiJLfKImPgkXlDz53eZvdvp5gdATXD?usp=drive_link

Link to Official Photos of the World Economic Forum:
https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjB2vKN