This month, we’re introducing you to Daniel Perez, Regional Director of Louvain Coopération in the Andean region . Based in Bolivia, Daniel works every day to develop and monitor programmes on the ground, in collaboration with local teams and institutional partners.

Deeply devoted to his family and to human relationships, he places great importance on the simple pleasures of everyday life: sharing a good meal, enjoying the morning light, or simply spending time with his loved ones. In this profile, he looks back on his career, his motivations, and what makes him most proud at Louvain Coopération.

What exactly does your role at Louvain Coopération involve on a day-to-day basis?

MMy main role is to act as the legal representative of Louvain Coopération in Bolivia. I liaise with officials from the Ministries of Foreign Affairs and Planning to ensure that our activities are aligned with national development plans.

I also ensure the smooth running of the regional coordination office, in particular by managing administrative obligations with the tax authorities, social security and other public and private institutions.

Beyond these responsibilities, I am fortunate to be able to work on programme implementation alongside a local team of immense personal and professional value. Although the team is now smaller, it continues to grow in efficiency and commitment.

How would you describe yourself outside of work?

I am very close to my family. I have been married for over 22 years to a Colombian woman with whom I share my life, and we are lucky enough to have a daughter who is currently finishing her university studies.

I also enjoy spending time with my mother, my brothers and sisters, their families, and my brothers- and sisters-in-law. And even though we don’t see each other as often, I remain very close to my cousins.

Life has also blessed me with precious, lasting friendships with generous and deeply compassionate people, with whom I would love to share more moments.

I get up early; I love the light of dawn and the birdsong. I try to savour the simple pleasures that life offers us: good food, moments spent together.

If your life story were a film title, what would it be?

« As good as it gets », Jack Nicholson’s best!

What are you most proud of at Louvain Coopération?

I am delighted to be able to do work that aligns with my beliefs and values, surrounded by close-knit and inspiring colleagues with whom I form a real team and from whom I learn a great deal.

I am also proud to have contributed to innovative initiatives, whether as a facilitator or an initiator:

• At an operational level, by developing tools to measure the performance of our programmes;
• At an institutional level, by establishing and maintaining partnerships;
• In terms of human resources, by facilitating staff promotion and professional development.

Where do you see yourself in five years’ time?

I can see myself successfully finalising a new five-year programme and coming up with new initiatives… whilst gradually starting to think about my approaching retirement and the joys of gardening.

What message would you like to send to those who support Louvain Coopération?

You can be confident that your resources are being put to good use. We recognise their value and do everything in our power to ensure they are used in the fairest, most useful and beneficial way possible for the good of our societies.