I am Diego Tituaña and I belong to the Kichwa-Otavalo nation. I grew up in an indigenous family in a small town called Otavalo in Ecuador. The handicraft trade has been a fundamental part of my development. In my community we recognize ourselves as Mindalaes: an ancient group of indigenous people specialized in the art of trade and commerce. Due to this activity, my family and I have traveled to different parts of the world and we have learned closely the difficulties that migration entails.
As a 2019 World Fellow, it was impacted knowing the incredible work that other members of the program were doing in different parts of the world. I learned a lot from the unique perspectives and profiles of my colleagues for their effort to have a better place to live for all of us. I believe that this exclusive diversity of thought and experience enriched the academic development of Yale University and benefited the New Haven community. I consider that my experience of life as an indigenous, migrant, and diplomat also contributed to a better understanding of global affairs from a perspective that included the challenges faced by minorities and my work from the field.
To strengthen and achieve full diversity, equity, and inclusion, it is important to promote and encourage the search for new profiles that include the work and worldview of indigenous peoples from different parts of the world. It is crucial to support their academic and professional development and promote mechanisms that seek to redress our historical inequalities and exclusions.