Wednesdays for the Planet | Alpaqueros – Geneva Environment Network

Wednesdays for the Planet is a series of online screenings and virtual presentations with experts highlighting the natural world and other environmental challenges our planet faces. The virtual screenings are for educational purposes, non-profit and non-commercial.

Documentary

Alpaqueros

In Andean mythology, alpacas were considered a gift from the gods because they provided the Incas with food, clothing, and in the case of the llama, transportation to overcome the difficult and complicated Andean geography. Therefore, those who dedicated themselves to raising alpacas had the rank of noble. Now this profession can disappear.

80% of alpacas from all over the world are found in Peru. As the textile industry of alpaca is in full international bloom, the alpaqueros are at the base of the pyramid of this great industry. This documentary fosters a dialogue between all the actors in the value chain and how we need to protect alpacas, Peru’s historical heritage, and value their noble guardians.

Online Screening

The documentary (82 minutes) will be available until 11 November 2021. We would like to thank the film director, Mercedes Lamborelle, for this exclusive screening.

Experts

Mercedes Lamborelle

Film Director | Alpaqueros

Mercedes Lamborelle is a Swiss-Peruvian video producer and photographer whose work focuses on trade, development and the UN Sustainable Development Goals. Her work has been featured internationally in various film festivals. In Switzerland, her production company IMAGES & PRODUCTIONS produces short films and documentaries. Mercedes is also a graphic and jewelry designer and works with women weavers designing and promoting textiles and accessories in alpaca fibers such as AWANA Alpaca. Mercedes hold a bachelor’s degree in Communications and Media from the University of Lima, Peru, and a master’s degree in Communications from ITESO, Universidad Jesuita de Guadalajara, Mexico.

Lorena Jaramillo

Economic Affairs Officer | United Nations Conference on Trade and Devlopment (UNCTAD)

Lorena Jaramillo has been involved in trade and biodiversity issues since 2001 at the international level with UNCTAD’s BioTrade Initiative and also in her home country Ecuador as the Director of the national BioTrade Programme. She has also worked on developing and implementing sustainable development projects in Asia, Africa and Latin America regarding trade and biodiversity, sustainable trade and business development. During her career of over 20 years, Lorena has written several papers related to sustainable development, value chain development, sustainable sourcing and post-conflict recovery. She is an economist, specializing in sustainable development, and earned her degree from the Pontificia Universidad Católica del Ecuador. She also holds an MBA from the HEC, University of Geneva, Switzerland.

Ana Batalhone

Associate Programme Officer | Sustainable and Inclusive Value Chains Section | International Trade Centre (ITC)

Ana Batalhone is an Associate Programme Officer at the Sustainable and Inclusive Value Chains Section of ITC. She manages trade-related technical assistance projects to support SMEs from developing countries to enhance their international competitiveness through the adoption of green business practices. She holds a Diploma of Advanced Studies in Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) from the University of Geneva and a master’s degree in International Affairs from the Graduate Institute of International and Development Studies (IHEID).

Virtual Presentations

The virtual presentations will be available on 20 October 2021 at 13:30 CEST.