Alvaro Diaz

Young Activist

Growing up on the border while being both a Mexican and United States citizen has allowed Alvaro Diaz to gain a valuable perspective on the challenges and opportunities of political and civic participation. After moving to the U.S. at the age of 19, Alvaro recognized the importance of youth civic involvement in southern Arizona. During the pandemic, he became part of the first cohort of Public Allies in Tucson, Arizona. While serving for a local non-profit, he had the opportunity to learn about the dynamics of the nonprofit world and the importance of collaboration among non-governmental actors as a fundamental part of democracy development. Motivated by this experience, Alvaro participated in a local program, developed by Greater Tucson Leadership, to meet the change agents of my community. The 10-month program brings together different actors from business, government, nonprofit, and public sectors. As a student at the University of Arizona, he had the opportunity to serve as the Undergraduate Representative for the Latin American Studies Student Association, as well as part of the Aspiring Latino Lawyers Club. He also participated in a seminar by the Washington Center, learning about current issues related to National Security. As he continues his education, Alvaro has come to the realization much of the changes we want as young citizens start at the local level and civic engagement plays a huge role in moving our agenda forward.