Oralia Neria Felix is an advocate for U.S. public cultural initiatives and the 2026–2027 Disneyland Resort Ambassador. She has long been committed to multicultural community welfare and child education project design, focusing on mutual understanding and inclusion among diverse ethnic groups. Utilizing large-scale public cultural spaces as a platform, she seamlessly integrates philanthropy into everyday experiences, encouraging community members to build respect and trust through participatory activities. In recognition of her sustained contributions to multicultural welfare practices, innovative public education for children, and cross-group communication mechanisms, she was named an ICSO International Goodwill Ambassador for 2026.
In the view of ICSO, philanthropy is not merely the allocation of resources, but a structural capacity for social connection—a philosophy clearly embodied in Oralia’s work. By embedding her initiatives within real and complex public environments, she turns cultural understanding, child development, and community cohesion into active, sustainable social experiences rather than abstract concepts. Through this interview, we explore her perspective on how contemporary philanthropy can play a deeper, more transformative role in a diverse society.
ICSO: First of all, congratulations on being named an ICSO 2026 International Goodwill Ambassador. What does this honor mean to you, and where does it stand in your philanthropic journey?
Oralia Neria Felix: Thank you very much to ICSO for your trust and recognition. To me, this title is not a milestone summary of past work, but rather a formal affirmation of responsibility. For a long time, my focus has not been on the success of a single project, but on how to build a public welfare mechanism in a complex, diverse social environment that can be shared, understood, and joined by people from all cultural and social backgrounds.
Being an ICSO International Goodwill Ambassador clarifies for me that public welfare should not remain at the level of individual passion or personal experience; it must connect with broader social issues, institutional structures, and public values. It reminds me that truly impactful, long-term philanthropy requires a systemic perspective, scalable logic, and cross-sector collaboration—not just emotional drive or short-term goodwill. In my journey, this honor marks an important transition from personal initiative to broader public responsibility.
ICSO: As a Disneyland Resort Ambassador, your role carries significant public visibility. How do you integrate this identity with your philanthropic work?
Oralia Neria Felix: Disneyland Resort itself is an open, highly symbolic public cultural space. Every day, it welcomes families and individuals from around the world who bring different languages, cultures, and social backgrounds. I have always believed that such spaces are not merely venues for entertainment and consumption; they are potential public education platforms with a unique capacity to shape social perceptions and values.
As an Ambassador, I do not limit my role to ceremonial functions. Instead, I work to systematically embed public welfare values into park interactions, event design, and public communication. By weaving respect for differences, cultural understanding, and social responsibility into storytelling and participatory experiences, guests engage with these values naturally. This approach shifts philanthropy away from preaching or formal advocacy into an everyday experience, lowering barriers to engagement and deepening public resonance.
ICSO: In terms of multicultural community work, you have long focused on fostering understanding across diverse ethnic groups. What led you to this path, and what keeps you dedicated to it?
Oralia Neria Felix: This focus is closely tied to my own upbringing. Growing up in an environment where diverse cultures intersected made me realize early on that many social tensions do not stem from fundamental value conflicts, but from a lack of genuine, sustained spaces for interaction.
In many cases, people do not lack the desire to understand one another; they lack equal, safe, and respectful environments for dialogue. That is why I focus on multicultural communities, designing programs that create public spaces where different ethnic groups can engage as equals. In these environments, public welfare is no longer a one-way gift or aid, but a two-way process of learning and shared growth. The potential of this mutual understanding is what drives my ongoing commitment.
ICSO: You have led and participated in educational programs for children, such as the “Disney Philanthropy Classroom.” What is the core concept behind these projects, and what long-term impact do you hope to make?
Oralia Neria Felix: Child education is an area I care about deeply because values are often formed at an early age. The “Disney Philanthropy Classroom” is not a traditional classroom; it is an experience-oriented learning model. Through storytelling, character interactions, and interactive scenarios, we guide children to understand the meaning of cooperation, respect, and responsibility. I hope that as they grow up, children naturally internalize these values into habits rather than passively receiving abstract moral lectures.
ICSO: In your view, does integrating public welfare into major cultural institutions or commercial spaces create tension between ideal principles and practical realities? How do you address this challenge?
Oralia Neria Felix: That tension certainly exists, but I do not believe it is irreconcilable. The key is finding common ground. Major cultural institutions also care about social impact and public trust, and public welfare projects can contribute positively to both areas. I prefer to advance philanthropy through collaboration rather than opposition, treating social responsibility as a source of long-term value rather than an extra burden. When values and practices create a positive cycle, philanthropy becomes genuinely integrated into the system.
Conclusion
Through this interview, we gain insight into Oralia Neria Felix’s ongoing explorations in multicultural community welfare and public education for children. Using public cultural spaces as a bridge, she translates philanthropic concepts into tangible, participatory social experiences, presenting a practical path for modern action within complex social structures. As a 2026 ICSO International Goodwill Ambassador, her work responds to shared global issues in diverse societies and offers valuable insights into how public welfare can foster long-term impact in everyday life. ICSO believes that this vision—centered on understanding, collaboration, and responsibility—will continue to drive more inclusive social progress.
