Tamara Paredes Reichert, candidate for deputy for the Patria Querida party (PPQ), affirms that her priorities, if elected, will be to create projects focused on environmental care and the promotion of art in its various disciplines. She is a university student, currently studying environmental engineering, she is 27 years old and entered politics on the recommendation of her friend Pablo Callizo, current councilor of Asunción.
How did you get into politics?
I know Pablo Callizo, current councilor of Asunción from the faculty. We had the opportunity to work in the student center of the Catholic University (UC). I am doing my thesis in environmental engineering. He received his civil engineering degree there. I saw how on networks I tried to raise awareness about caring for the environment, I thought I was an environmental influencer and I always shared things that people could do and relevant information, that’s why he decided to invite me to be part of the party.
Was it difficult to make the decision?
I and my family never got into politics, if we exercise the right to vote. But we never joined a party, when he proposed me to be a candidate for deputy, at first I was shocked but then I said that’s fine. I’ve been plaguing on the networks that everything is wrong, I’m outraged, I’ve lost hope that things can be changed. So why now that I can change something I don’t take advantage of it? It is a unique opportunity, I think I am more prepared than some people who are already inside.
Who is Tamara Paredes?
I am 27 years old, I am a former student of Cristo Rey school. I’m doing my thesis on environmental engineering at UC. Apart from the environment I have another passion which is dancing. I am a teacher of urban dances. What I chose to carry as a flag during this candidacy are two neglected sectors such as the environment and art. Apart from that, in terms of my values, I am a person who carries honesty above all things, also respect, justice, I try to be as empathic as possible in all situations.
How do you see the participation of young people in politics?
I believe that we should all have the opportunity to demonstrate our ability and what I see now, not only in art, but in general, is that young people are not given the opportunity to demonstrate what we can do. So we enter into that frustration, which I think also comes from the dictatorship, I want to change that thinking in young people. And with that I say I want to carry that hope. My groups of friends never imagined that I was going to run for deputy, I didn’t think so either. Although at some point I wanted to get into politics to be minister of the environment, I never thought about getting into Congress.
Why do you want to be a deputy?
Now I think that’s my place, where I can propose, renew with new laws and review the ones we already have because if we realize it, we start to think, we see that we have so many laws and the system is still inefficient. So, from there is the place where I plan to work, in the environment, opportunity for women, artists, young people and all the people who really need the opportunity to get ahead. And with that I say that the priorities are work, health, safety, education.
How do you see the Concertación?
After so many turns that he had between the candidates, after the drop in the candidacies of several candidates, I hope and I believe that we become aware when choosing the person who is capable, not only voting for the candidate that we believe will arrive, enough of that. We must vote for the person we believe is capable, stop being guided by what others will say, base ourselves on that. I think Sebastián Villarejo has everything to win. I hope he wins with Patricia Dos Santos and hopefully we all join forces.
Why should citizens vote for you in the next elections?
They should believe in me because I am one more young citizen, outraged, who lost hope but who took the post from the opportunity they gave her. That she is firm in her values and beliefs, with the support of her family, that she is going to go from scratch in this new path in her life, that with the passing of days, I am learning. And do not be guided by the fact that the candidate is not known. The best of all is that I have my ability, intelligence, my profession and what I am going to defend. I hope you believe in me. I want citizens to feel that we are listening to them since there is a huge gap.
DATA SHEET
Full name: Tamara Fabiola Paredes Reichert.
Place of birth: Assumption.
Date of Birth: March 10, 1995 (27).
Place of primary, secondary and university studies: Cristo Rey School from 2001 to 2013. Currently at the UC Catholic University in thesis process, in the Environmental Engineering career.
Family: He lives with my parents and two younger brothers, 21 and 19 years old.
Positions held in the public function: None. In the private sector he works as a water quality laboratory analyst.
Hobbies: Dancing, teaching dance, teaching about the environment and director of environmental education for the NGO «Junio Verde».
