In a one-direction world, where the countries of the North export their economic and political model throughout the entire world, there exists a country in Latin America that has committed to instituting major reforms to these models and is inventing new pragmatic and humanistic ways of governing. This country is Ecuador. Rafael Correa, a renowed economist, who moved into politics like one setting out on a mission, became the country's president in 2006. He has transformed a country with archaic structures into a participative, social, independent, and ecological democracy. For Ecuadorians, he has brought the hope that the ancient, rigid structures weren't inevitable, that all citizens would have a chance to say their piece, and that there was at last someone who would listen to them.