Ona Carbonell: “We need to achieve equal visibility for everyone”

We interviewed Ona Carbonell, ambassador of the Obra Social CECA, who speaks to us about her collaboration with the entity whose goal is to give voice to the values of the Obra Social, whose direct impact benefits the most vulnerable groups. Ona Carbonell mentions the various initiatives of the Obra Social in which she participates.

What is your collaboration and involvement in the Obra Social of CECA?

It has been two and a half years since I started my collaboration with CECA with the aim of giving voice to the values of the Obra Social and its commitment to society. During this time, I have been able to gain a deeper understanding of how all actions taken by entities associated with CECA have a direct impact on citizens, especially on the most vulnerable groups. In 2021 alone, nearly 52,000 activities were carried out that benefited over 25 million people. This impact is, moreover, double, because on one hand, it is the citizens who make the programs possible through volunteering, professionals, NGOs, and social entities, and on the other hand, they are also the beneficiaries of all the projects that are carried out.

My aim is to contribute to bringing the Obra Social to as many people as possible. I believe it is essential to contribute and give greater visibility and voice to all these projects and entities involved. In this way, we ensure that all those interested in any initiative receive information and can benefit from them, thus amplifying the positive impact of the projects to the greatest number of citizens possible.

Can you tell us about the different social projects you participate in?

Currently, we are carrying out numerous projects to give visibility to the Obra Social.

During this month of May, we have been on the Island of Cortegada with Afundación and Abanca, participating in the cleanup of the beaches, for example, together with a group of volunteers. I am also very involved in the Financial Education course with athletes sponsored by CECA, which is a very interesting project and, in my opinion, completely necessary, and, of course, this year the Obra and Social Action Awards led by the Association will be held again. Besides this, I am sure that in the remainder of the year we will carry out some more action that, for the moment, I prefer not to reveal.

Which project would you highlight among all those you collaborate in?

For obvious reasons, I have a special affection for the Financial Education with athletes project, in which I have been very involved from the beginning and which arose from a conversation with CECA in the early stages of my involvement with the Project about the need to improve the financial knowledge of our group. I believe it is essential to provide tools to athletes, who often have a relatively short career and therefore have to learn to manage their finances when they are often very young.

That is why I believe we can help many young people at a key stage in their careers, and when this was launched, I remember mentioning that there is a real need to provide this type of training. Based on cases like that of Delonte West, an NBA star who ended up completely ruined, we understand it as a necessity to guide and train athletes, who usually lack very relevant information on how to manage their finances and will face a difficult time when it comes to retiring. And we also have cases among national athletes. I think the course is actually receiving very good feedback.

Is it essential for women to have visibility and influence in social financial activities?

Of course, this should be a question we do not even question. We must work actively to achieve equal opportunities, whether in financial, social activities, in the world of sports, or in any other field. It is clear that the situation has changed, but there is still a long way to go; we need to achieve equal visibility for everyone.

What are the future challenges and obstacles of your involvement in the Obra and Social Action CECA?

I would like to continue as an ambassador helping to give visibility to the activities and events promoted by the Obra Social of CECA, because I truly believe that this way I can help ensure the message reaches as many people as possible. I also think it is necessary to focus particularly on the most vulnerable groups so that anyone in need is aware of the existence of the programs and can benefit from them, because the ultimate goal of the Obra Social is to be of utility and help, especially to the most vulnerable people.

And I also believe it is important to highlight the great work of all the professionals and volunteers who make it possible for the Obra Social to be what it is, which is no small feat. In fact, it is the first private social investor in Spain, which means that after the State and its social policies, the entities that are part of CECA have become the largest investor in social actions. Therefore, the Obra Social is one of the main agents in promoting social inclusion.