Sic Parvis Magna: From One Country Rep to a Cross-regional Force

As Country Representative for Erasmus Mundus Nicaragua, this 16–17 May, I had the honour of attending the 19th Erasmus Mundus Association (EMA) General Assembly in Paris, France. The event brought together 97 participants from 46 nationalities. 

Held under the theme “Go Green: Connect, Innovate, Sustain,” the GA united students, alumni, programme and country representatives, and other EMA volunteers from around the world, and for the first time, EMA Country Representatives from Nicaragua and El Salvador stood side by side in person, marking a milestone in Central American cooperation and a powerful moment of reflection on the true nature of impact.

Fernando and Ana in front of the Eiffel Tower

Sic Parvis Magna, a Latin phrase for "greatness from small beginnings," perfectly captures our cross-regional journey. What started with just one Country Representative (CR) in Nicaragua soon grew into a second in El Salvador, then a third in Panama, and now we’re close to having representation in Guatemala. We are also incredibly active with our EMAzing broader community in Latin America and beyond. And before we knew it, we were no longer working in parallel. We were co-creating a cross-regional force, fuelled by connection, trust, and a shared purpose to expand access to international higher education in the Americas.

[...] before we knew it, we were [...] co-creating a cross-regional force, fuelled by connection, trust, and a shared purpose

Standing with fellow El Salvador Country Representative Fernando Castellanos, under the greatness of a city like Paris, I felt the weight and promise of our mission. “El Pulgarcito de Centroamérica” and “the Land of Lakes and Volcanoes” were now advocating for equity in mobility access and contributing to a global conversation about sustainability and inclusion in higher education.

Beyond Metrics: Redefining Impact Through Human Connection

Our discussion partially focused on strategic targets and measurable outcomes, but it was the informal conversations over coffee, shared walks between sessions, and reflective lunch exchanges that turned into reaffirming vital truth: Impact isn’t just in data points or reports; it’s in the lived experience of our local and global EMA communities.

Impact is in every heartfelt message from an Erasmus applicant thanking us for a workshop or our mentorship programme. It’s in the story of an applicant who didn’t win the Erasmus Mundus scholarship on their first try, but now feels more confident, more informed, and more determined to try again. It’s in the solidarity between us as CRs, navigating similar obstacles, exchanging advice, and cheering each other on.

Our collaboration stood out, both in its authenticity and its cross-regional depth. Colleagues from across different EMA units and continents approached us with encouragement, letting us know they had been following our work and borrowing practices for their communities. 

Impact isn’t just in data points or reports; it’s in the lived experience of our local and global EMA communities

At the event,  I was recognised as EMA Ambassador of the Year, but it was the recognition by fellow EMA volunteers that reminded me that sustainable change is born out of mutual support and collective intention. And with this, I express my most heartfelt gratitude to the EMAzing Outreach and Capacity-Building Unit team, Ana, Reagan, and Rajon, for their unwavering support in my journey as country representative for the past two years.

Central America and the Real Meaning of “Go Green”

This year's General Assembly’s core theme, ‘Connect, Innovate, Sustain’, resonated deeply with our local efforts. For us in Central America, going green is not only about ecological sustainability; it is about advancing our vision, strengthening cross-regional ties, and rooting our work in practices that uplift marginalised and excluded voices.

Looking Ahead: A Shared Vision for Equity

As our conversations at the EMA General Assembly evolved, so did our collective aspirations. We envision a future where a student from the Caribbean coast of Nicaragua or a rural community in Honduras has the same access to Erasmus Mundus opportunities as a student in Bogotá or São Paulo.

We aim to achieve the same regional presence and institutional visibility that countries like Mexico, Brazil, and Colombia already enjoy. But to get there, we need stronger cross-regional integration. It is not just about increasing scholarship numbers but about transforming how mobility is imagined, facilitated, and sustained across diverse socio-economic and geographic contexts.

It is not just about increasing scholarship numbers but about transforming how mobility is imagined, facilitated, and sustained

When I accepted the Ambassador award from EMA President Ashiqur Rahman, I felt deep gratitude and resolve. To honour it, I must continue my efforts for scaling what works: inclusive recruitment, alumni re-entry models, and digital outreach. If your vision as an EMA volunteer or supporter aligns with mine, let's co-create something! 

By Ana Huembes,

Country Representative for Nicaragua, Outreach and Capacity Building Unit (OCB)