We are in a time where events happen one after another and we seldom become aware of the value of relationships, moments, and encounters that help us broaden our gaze upon our own life and destiny, and at the same time, understand how our actions impact others. 

If we talk about social work, the impact it generates must be measured over time, whether it is economical, social, or environmental. On the other hand, there is the systemic change approach, where actions, no matter how small, are aimed at generating in the long term new ways of relating between institutions, the public, and private sectors.

However, we could not continue without asking ourselves: Where is the person in all this? Why think about a change in the system or areas of impact if it does not help people to live better?

All entrepreneurs, and especially social ones, must not lose sight of this, because every technique, all methodologies, and systems are only worthy if they have the human being at the center. Anything different means putting particular interests as a priority, which turns into violence and space conquest only to have access to any type of power.

“Life is not time that passes, but time for encounters,” says Pope Francis (Fratelli tutti 66). After serving 12 years in Trabajo y Persona, we could focus only on the results of the time that passes, which are important or we could look at the encounters with so many people who have taught us the value of facing needs and respond with the only weapon: the desire to work.

“Time is superior to space. This principle allows us to work in the long term, without obsessing over immediate results. It helps to bear with patience difficult and adverse situations or the changes of plans imposed by the dynamism of reality. Giving priority to space leads us to go crazy to have everything resolved in the present, to try to take possession of all the spaces of power and self-affirmation. … Giving priority to time is taking care of initiating processes rather than owning spaces.” (Evangelii Gaudium 223).

We continue working with this certainty, generating impact, aiming at a systemic change, with patience; because the change in our life, like that of others, occurs as part of a process and not through the conquest of a space or radical changes overnight. That is why we invite you to continue walking together for as long as God wants.