AEIN’s New Awareness and Development Education Manager

Tamara brings extensive experience in education, advocacy, and public engagement. Her passion for social justice aligns perfectly with AEIN’s mission and values. In her role, she will focus on raising awareness of global inequalities, strengthening solidarity, and engaging students, teachers, and the general public in meaningful discussions about North-South interdependencies.

We are excited to see her creative and impactful initiatives come to life! Get to know Tamara through this short interview and learn more about her vision for awareness and development education, as well as what inspires her to make a difference at AEIN.

Can you tell us a bit about your background and what led you to AEIN?

In 2021, I decided to embark on a new adventure—one that involved a backpack, discovering new cultures, and stepping out of my comfort zone. I lived in the Costa Rican jungle, in Spain with my grandparents, and in a Buddhist monastery in Nepal. I returned to Nepal for a volunteering experience because part of my heart had remained there. After these two journeys to the heart of the Himalayas, I knew that upon my return, I wanted to engage in work that aligned more closely with my values.

At first, I got involved as a volunteer with Les Amis du Tibet, where I also work part-time. Through various collaborations among Luxembourg’s NGOs, I discovered AEIN. Since I share its values, it felt natural to want to contribute more actively.

What role does awareness-raising play in AEIN’s mission?

Awareness-raising is a fundamental pillar of AEIN’s mission. It helps shed light on the challenges faced by marginalized communities in India and Nepal and mobilizes public support. By sharing personal stories and providing insights into issues such as social justice, education, equality, and sustainable development, awareness initiatives encourage concrete engagement toward a more just and inclusive world.

What excites you the most about this role?

What excites me the most is planting seeds. Every conversation, awareness event, or action—no matter how small—has the potential to spark awareness, trigger reflection, and sometimes even pave the way for deeper engagement.

Are there any upcoming projects or initiatives you are particularly looking forward to?

AEIN has an exciting program planned for 2025, and one project, in particular, is already close to my heart: Jugendgrupp (though the name may still evolve). This exchange program will offer young people from Luxembourg and Nepal a valuable opportunity to meet, exchange ideas, and learn from one another, culminating in an immersive experience in Nepal at the end of the program.

I am eager to dive into this adventure—finding motivated and engaged young people in Luxembourg to work together on this project, while also collaborating with our Nepalese partner, ARD, to prepare for this enriching experience.

Any fun anecdotes to share with the team?

I have never stopped watching Friends! No matter how many times I’ve seen it, I still laugh at Ross’s legendary “Pivot!” scene. I could drop a Friends quote into any conversation because, let’s be honest, there’s one for every situation! And if you think that’s weird… I KNOW! (Monica-style, obviously).

If you had to describe your approach to this new role in three words, what would they be?

Engaged, creative, and attentive.