Advocacy Abroad Program - Ecuador

The Advocacy Abroad Program affords law and graduate students the opportunity to participate in a two-week field placement exploring legal issues affecting animals and their habitats in target localities.

Selected candidates:
• Work directly with local advocates, legal professionals, and organizational partners on real-time municipal campaigns and projects;
• Develop and implement campaigns related to animal and environmental protection; and
• Complete an individual project to further the mission of DTA.This opportunity is open to both law and non-law graduate students.

The Ecuador Projects

Defending Kimsakocha

Defend Them All and its partners are actively supporting local advocates and indigenous community members protesting a destructive underground gold mining project in the province of Azuay, Ecuador. Locally known as “Kimsacocha,” the Project site is located within an incredibly sensitive area classified as páramo, an alpine tundra ecosystem that houses an important wetland system, with significant ecological, economic, and cultural values. The ecological risks of the Project are unacceptably high, and given the sensitive nature of páramo ecosystems and their inhabitants, any amount of contamination will have devastating effects.

Ecuador Advocacy Alliance

Defend Them All has been promoting more humane solutions to the companion animal cruelty and overpopulation crisis in Ecuador since 2016. Through partnerships with local organizations and advocates, DTA assisted with drafting a comprehensive animal protection bill that incorporates criminal sanctions for abuse as well as licensing and spay and neuter requirements. DTA continues to work with partner organizations to advocate for full legislative enactment.

Sample Itinerary

July 28 Arrive in Cuenca, Ecuador- Walking tour of the city
July 29 – July 31 (Cuenca, Ecuador)
10:00 Class discussion at Amauta Spanish School
11:00 Optional Spanish class Afternoon speakers/excursions including:
- San Francisco Market
- University of Cuenca – meeting legal professionals
- Jessica Vicuña de Alvarez, Rescate Animal Cuenca
- Amaru Bioparque Cuenca Zoologico
August 1 – August 4 (Paute, Ecuador)
The group will travel by bus to Paute, Ecuador to meet with local advocates and/or municipal government officials. The group will experience the culture of Paute through a traditional dinner and optional outdoor activities including hiking or paragliding.
August 5 – August 7 (Cuenca, Ecuador)
10:00 Class discussion at Amauta Spanish School
11:00 Optional Spanish class
Afternoon speakers/excursions including: Belen Moya, studying waste management in rural communities and fundraiser with Rescate Animal Cuenca
August 8 – August 10 (Tarqui, Ecuador)
The group will travel to Tarqui, Ecuador for a weekend at a local eco-lodge. Students will learn about endemic plant and animal species and experience the culture of the Andean community.

Program Snapshot

First Trip: 2017

Number of Trips: 4 (2020 & 2021 trips cancelled due COVID-19 Pandemic)

Total Students: 12

Number of Schools: 10 - University of Calgary (Canada), University of British Columbia (Canada), University of Alberta (Canada), University of Colorado (USA), Vermont Law School (USA), Lewis & Clark Law School (USA), Willamette University (USA), University of San Diego (USA), Florida Coastal School of Law (USA).