With over two decades of experience in socio-environmental studies, Bruna Pasquini’s journey as an Arcadian began 12 years ago. Based in São Paulo, Brazil, she is now the Coordinator of Environmental, Territorial and Biodiversity Management Projects at Arcadis.
Through her involvement with Lovinklaan programs, Bruna has been presented with opportunities in four countries across two continents. It all began with her participation in the Quest program in 2017. Despite the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, Bruna joined the Shelter program in 2021 to contribute to finding climate change solutions in African countries. In this Impact story, Bruna shares how these experiences brought her fulfillment and newfound perspectives.
Crossing Continents with Quest
In 2015, Bruna heard about the Lovinklaan programs for the first time, and it didn’t take long for her to seize the opportunity. Two years later, she became a Questee, embarking on her initial adventure, all sponsored by the Foundation. The Quest program, renowned for its international transfer opportunities, offers Arcadians worldwide a unique chance to expand their networks, enrich their skills, and actively contribute to Arcadis’ ambitions. Bruna had a firsthand experience of this during a single Quest, which allowed her to visit both London, England, and Brussels, Belgium.
“The week of my Quest was amazing. To have the opportunity to travel abroad and to know other countries and Arcadis offices, different people and different work routines is something truly exciting!” Bruna describes.
On one hand, the program presented the challenge of communicating in another language for Bruna, but on the other, it provided valuable networking opportunities, she says. “The program’s biggest legacy was the networking it provided me afterwards.”
As a result of participating in the Quest Program, Bruna became involved in the Natural Capital Community of Practice and the Business & Biodiversity Cop. She also exchanged knowledge and methodologies with the Arcadis Belgium team, and their involvement inspired Arcadis to send representatives to the CDB COP15 in Montreal, Canada, in 2022.
Making a Difference with Shelter Program
Following the success of her journey as a Questee, Bruna decided to take up a new opportunity with Lovinklaan, and she joined our Shelter program. This program is unique in the sense that facilitates a partnership between Arcadis and UN-Habitat and empowers Arcadians to share their pro bono knowledge and expertise for sustainable urban development, disaster recovery, and improving citizens’ quality of life in rapidly growing cities worldwide.
During the Shelter program, Bruna worked with an Arcadian team comprising professionals from different countries and educational backgrounds. Together, they focused on climate change, river deltas, and coastal challenges in highly populated cities in Ghana and the Ivory Coast, both located on the west coast of Africa. Unfortunately, due to the COVID-19 pandemic in 2021, they were unable to work on-site in the two countries. Nevertheless, Bruna says the experience was rewarding as it helped her encounter the social, economic, and environmental challenges faced by these African nations, which she felt were like those in Brazil.
The Significance of the Lovinklaan Experience
Bruna believes that her participation in the two Lovinklaan programs “showed that it is possible to work globally, with professionals from different countries, languages and culture, complementing and exchanging knowledge and experiences.” By embedding diversity and inclusion in our programs, Lovinklaan remains committed to uniting all Arcadians across the world.
Endorsing the Lovinklaan programs wholeheartedly to both new and existing Arcadians, Bruna says they empower participants to embrace the richness of global diversity in people, nature, and challenges. Through such dynamic exchanges of ideas, participating Arcadians contribute to delivering optimal solutions for clients, further amplifying the impact of the Lovinklaan experience.
