Our Founders

Created in 1948, The Social Union of Christian Entrepreneurs and Executives (USEC) was born with the idea of applying the social doctrine of the Catholic Church in business and entrepreneurial fields. In the nearly 50 years since then, the Organization has found its place in Chilean society by realizing significant contributions to the development of business managers and owners, and by setting an example for the Christian entrepreneur in national life. The first movement of its type in Latin America, USEC helps to create similar entrepreneurial movements in other countries and actively promotes and participates in a society of risk capital for the stimulation of new entrepreneurial ventures.

For almost a half-century, USEC has defined its philosophy and its role in the world of business as:

  • The study and formation of executives and business people who act in their businesses with the principles put forth in the social doctrine of the Catholic Church.

  • Assistance in implementing tools for the improvement of the social impact of businesses, in such areas as information systems, training, and others.

  • Administration of scholarships for international study provided by entrepreneurial associations in Europe (USEC has administered more than 300 scholarships to Chilean entrepreneurs and executives).

  • Implementation of concrete projects for the development of micro and small businesses, with the idea of increasing family income, providing work, and fortifying an entrepreneurial mentality.

  • Promotion of the spirituality of entrepreneurs through conferences, seminars, and other events.
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USEC has grown through the years by developing many new projects, and now coordinates its efforts with the International Christian Union of Business Directors (UNIAPAC), with headquarters in Brussels, Belgium and 30 federated associations around the world.


COMPARTE - Then and Now

In 1989, USEC created COMPARTE with the purpose of making a solid contribution to the dignity of handicraft work by searching for channels of sales of its products. By partnering with Chilean and international organizations, COMPARTE grew quickly to be the largest handicraft export organization in Chile.

Since the early days, COMPARTE has grown to provide providing export, marketing, technical training and design assistance to more than 400 artisans, exporting products to nearly 30 countries. Annual sales reach nearly $1,000,000 in value, while COMPARTE continues to broaden its reach to include additional artisans and workshops, while expanding to new markets overseas. Our staff has also grown to accommodate our increased sales volume and to meet our clients' increasingly demanding needs, and we recently moved to a new, more cost-effective location in Santiago.

COMPARTE is proud to operate as a self-financed and stable non-profit organization. Key to our success has been the operational efficiency that allows us to maintain low overhead and operating costs, while ensuring high quality products and services are delivered to each client. Since our founding, we have undoubtedly made an important contribution to both the artisans, our beneficiaries, and to promoting the concept of Fair Trade in Chile and in the global marketplace.


Hope for the Future

Always looking ahead to the potential the future holds, COMPARTE hopes to expand its services to producers in a way that is both efficient and effective in creating new employment opportunities and high-quality handicraft exports. We see the immense power of trade and the businesses engaged in it to promote ethical operating principles that develop our human resources while enhancing the quality of all of our lives through increased availability of products and services worldwide. As consumers become increasingly conscious of the sources of the products they buy and the conditions under which they were produced, COMPARTE plans to continue to build on this process of educating buyers to the fact that their purchase can make a difference. We see a vital link strengthening between our artisans, their stories and skills, and the individuals who buy and appreciate their work. Finally, we wish to remain loyal to our principles of Fair Trade and its power to create a better world, while fulfilling our role as part of the global network of producers, exporters, importers, wholesalers, brokers and retailers who can make this vision a reality.