As ReAct marks 20 years of global action on antibiotic resistance, we’re celebrating the people behind the movement.
Silvina Alessio is Education Officer at ReAct Latin America, who directed development of the Alforja Educativa - a package of educational material about the microbial world aimed at both students and teachers. Working with ReAct for more than a decade, she reflects on her motivation, achievements and future plans in this interview.
What inspired you to join ReAct and how has your journey been so far?
– My motivation to join ReAct arose from recognizing the relevance of the topic of antibiotic resistance and its impact on all of us. My interest intensified when I was invited to coordinate a project involving educators and children. This opportunity resonated with my background, which focuses on human learning and education as a driver of empowerment and community transformation.
– For over 13 years, I have been a member of ReAct and have witnessed its evolution in multiple dimensions, expanding toward a more integral and complex perspective that allows for a better understanding of antibiotic resistance.
What lesson or experience in ReAct has marked you professionally or personally?
– One of the most significant experiences for me in ReAct has been coordinating the educational portfolio.
– Looking back, I feel profound emotion as I remember the project’s origin and its subsequent expansion, which has benefited countless children, educators, and students. re, while also engaging with a project that promotes individual empowerment regarding their own health.
What do you value about the team or work environment at ReAct that is unique or special?
– The interdisciplinary approach is fundamental when seeking to develop broad, complex, and integral analyses and interventions.
– At ReAct, we have the opportunity to engage in dialogue across various disciplines and create innovative proposals that intertwine science and art. This approach not only focuses on rationality but also acknowledges that all human beings are motivated by emotions, feelings, and deeper perceptions.
ReAct celebrates 20 years of action on antibiotic resistance!
The story of ReAct began 20 years ago with a small group of passionate global health advocates, several of whom are still part of the network today. Driven by the urgency of antibiotic resistance, ReAct has grown into a global movement with offices across four continents, influencing policy, empowering communities, and shaping governance.
Despite progress, global efforts remain insufficient, and urgent action is needed. ReAct remains committed to driving stronger responses to safeguard effective antibiotics for all.
ReAct’s 20-year journey has transformed AMR governance, strengthened health systems, and mobilized communities worldwide. As we look to the future, we invite partners and funders to join us in scaling impact, driving innovation, and securing sustainable solutions — for a world free from untreatable infections.