Elizabeth Protacio. De Castro, Ph.D.

Elizabeth P. De Castro (Beth) is a retired Professor of Psychology at the University of the Philippines where she has been actively engaged in teaching (Community Psychology and Eco-Psychology among others) and research in various issues of child rights and environmental protection to name a few. She is also currently director of Psychosocial Support and Children’s Rights Resource Center (PSTCRRC), an NGO doing training, research and publication on various child protection issues. She is also a consultant to UNICEF and other International Non Government organizations for various projects related to children and mental health and psycho social support in emergencies.

She joined Shumei, Philippines in 2011 and is currently its corporate secretary. Together with her husband, Tony, she also worked at Eco Village in Iba, Zambales where she was the community education specialist for the Aeta Resettlement Community of the ABS CBN Foundation.  She is also considered one of the pioneers of the organic movement in the Philippines, as former member of the board of the Organic Producers and Trade Association (OPTA) and one of the convenors of Earthday Network, Philippines. 

She currently works at the Shumei Natural Agriculture Farm in Tanay, Rizal. She has designed and implemented various environmental awareness programs, supervised and organized educational/ farm tours and conducted several trainings/workshops on sustainable agriculture and livelihood projects for the indigenous people (Dumagats) in the Sierra Madre Mountains. 

Beth is a staunch advocate and influencer for environmental protection and biodiversity conservation. She has been a speaker/ resource person in various environmental fora on the topics such as indigenous psychology, eco-psychology, sustainable agriculture, healthy foods, healthy living and healthy lifestyles.