SUMMER SCHOLARS BLOG : Ana Barragan
Hi! I’m a Mexican Fulbrighter pursuing an M.A. in International Political Economy and Development at Fordham University. As an undergrad in Computer Systems, I’ve long been passionate about the power technology has to transform and potentialize entire industries, and what better use of it than to put it at the service of humanity!
With this purpose I have focused my career on the intersection of Information and Communication Technologies with Development, working with local governments and national and international NGOs to ensure the welfare and prosperity of vulnerable groups, particularly women and youth. I am thrilled to be interning this summer with the United Nations Population Fund in their Regional Office for Latin America and the Caribbean, working on Data-Driven Storytelling for Population and Development Issues in Panama City, Panama, where I hope I can continue learning how to leverage technology as a tool for empowerment and development…
Working on the 4th International Conference on Small Island Developing States
My first two weeks in Panama have been the most eye-opening and intellectually stimulating I’ve experienced yet. I arrived on a Saturday evening, so after running some errands and finishing up a couple of introductory courses on Sunday I had little chance to explore the city. Nevertheless, my first two weeks with UNFPA quickly made up for it.
The Regional Office for Latin America and the Caribbean is located in Clayton, specifically in Ciudad del Saber (City of Knowledge), a cluster of non-governmental organizations, technology companies, and academic entities in what used to be the United States Army base in the former Canal Zone. As such, the area embodies Panama’s rich cultural tapestry. Here I met my amazing supervisors, Sabrina Juran, Population and Development Advisor, and Norha Restrepo, Media and Communications Advisor. As an intern in data-driving storytelling, I will be working as a bridge between insightful data and research conducted by the P&D team and impactful communication products developed by the Media and Comms team.
The UNFPA Regional Office for Latin America and the Caribbean in Clayton (left), and a view of Casco Viejo, Panama City’s old town (right)
My initial immersion involved understanding UNFPA’s crucial role in Latin America and the Caribbean. The Population and Development team particularly impressed me. Their work hinges on transforming raw data into actionable insights. They provide technical and financial support to National Statistic Institutes across the region and specialize in retrieving that produced demographic data, standardizing it, and disaggregating by key indicators such as gender, age, race, ethnicity, migratory status, and disability. This makes it possible to visualize, analyze, and evaluate demographic trends, the achievement of UNFPA’s three main goals, the Sustainable Development Goals, and National Strategies overall, procuring the adjustment of policies and programs that improve lives across the region, particularly of the most vulnerable sectors. The Communications team plays an equally critical role. They not only share UNFPA’s achievements and ongoing projects, but also mobilize public and financial support, amplifying the impact of every department within the organization.
One of my first projects involved the 4th International Conference on Small Island Developing States (SIDS), held in St. John’s, Antigua and Barbuda. SIDS are island nations facing unique challenges due to their size and isolation. This conference, with participation from over 40 countries, aimed to identify solutions for sustainable development under the theme “Charting the Course Toward Resilient Prosperity.” Even if I could not join my supervisor Sabrina in Barbuda, the energy and excitement of the event were palpable in the Regional Office. My team’s contribution was instrumental. We crafted compelling media pieces highlighting the participation of Latin American and Caribbean SIDS, showcasing their unique vulnerabilities and the importance of addressing climate change’s disproportionate impact on the region. A key achievement of the conference was the agreement on a new 10-year program of action, and we were proud to play a part in its success...
Another highlight was creating content for the SIDS Global Children & Youth Action Summit. Youth engagement is essential in finding solutions for a sustainable future. These young representatives participated in workshops, discussions, and project presentations, all designed to empower them to advocate for change in their communities. Our team developed engaging content that amplified the voices of these youth leaders, showcasing their innovative ideas and underlining the importance of youth participation in building resilient SIDS.
These past two weeks have been incredibly immersive. My IPED knowledge provided a strong foundation, but working with UNFPA has broadened my knowledge of the region’s unique challenges, particularly those faced by women and girls regarding their sexual and reproductive rights in the context of climate change. I’m incredibly excited to dedicate the next few months to contributing to UNFPA’s impactful work, using data and storytelling to empower positive change in Latin America and the Caribbean…
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The above are select excerpts from Ana Barragan’s blog. You can read all of her complete blog entries here
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Our Summer Scholars Blog, a collection of reports from post-grad scholars that UNA-NYC has sponsored globally, showcases our fellows' experiences with UN agencies and non-governmental organizations in the country where they are working. Learn more about our Summer Scholars fellowship program and fellows here.