Striving for Change: Pursuing Master of Governance, Development, and Public Policy

My decision to study development studies was influenced by the fact that I have spent most of my career in fieldwork rather than working in an office. After graduating from university with a bachelor's degree in political science, I started my career working with native communities and ethnic groups in the south of Colombia. Moreover, while as a social consultant for an oil company, I noticed the negative impacts and the disconnection that can exist among mineral resources, regional prosperity and economic growth. This experience set my commitment to engage in the search for solutions directly with people, and I am seeking UK dissertation help to deepen my understanding. Besides, I wish to study a curse that would help me reduce socioeconomic inequality, and thus, de-escalate the conflict and violence. Therefore, guided by my interest and fascination, I would like to study Master of Governance, Development and Public Policy at the University of Sussex which would enhance my research and critical thinking skills.

Studying this course at your reputable university, I will modernise the public sector in Colombia where corruption is rife within public entities. Besides, I want to show that a country can create social change and development within the framework of strengthened institutions and strong policies. Offered a chance, I would like to participate in discussions which takes place within the Institute of Development Studies IDS to deepen my quantitative approach by comparing and analysing the impact evaluation methods of welfare programs in developing countries. Moreover, I would like to extend my knowledge of the processes of governance under violent conflicts. This course best suits me due to Colombia’s current chapter in history. For instance, in 2016, the Colombian Government and the FARC-EP signed an agreement to end the conflict and build peace. I actively participated in the negotiation process by working for the International Organization for Migrations IOM as a consultant for the Ministry of Interior. Under Juan Manuel Santos’s government, I was assigned to the team that was responsible for the implementation and monitoring of public policies for victims of the armed conflict. During this time, I travelled to post-conflict areas in Colombia that were often very remote. This experience provided me with strong communications and time management skills. As part of my duties, I learned how to explain the changes and adjustments of the law during a post-conflict context.

I am self-motivated, enthusiastic, hardworking, and a positive individual who always strives to achieve the best. Nevertheless, I strongly consider myself a flexible individual with the core skills required to thrive in today's political science environment. I pay attention even to small details and my planning and organization skills to build and sustain relationships with different people across all levels were also enhanced during my experience at Fundación Antonio Restrepo Barco- a non-profit organization in Colombia. I worked with senior officials and advisors from the Presidency of the Republic to prepare and organize conflict resolution lectures for medium-level officials. My deep commitment to making a difference was also strengthened during my gap year volunteering at a homeless charity in London.

Being a wide reader, I came across the book ‘Decidi Contarlo’ by Guillermo Perry, which translates to ‘I decided to tell about it’. In his book, Perry1 provided an in-depth insight into Colombian institutions throughout the years and through the lens of different political governments. I was inspired by his way of thinking and his words have encouraged me to engage more with the public sector. He insists on the idea that doing research and designing policies that can be beneficial and have a positive impact on the way society works. Also, the book places its importance on young professionals to be courageous enough to implement and defend their point of view in front of stakeholders.

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1. Engineer, economist, senator, minister, and Colombian Constituent. He died on September 27, 2019. Policymakers of tax and mining reforms in different governments. He worked with the World Bank in several countries. He helped modernize the state despite the violence, corruption, and drug trafficking.

My volunteering, work experience, and the different challenges that I have come across during my role as project coordinator and public policy advisor for local authorities and regional governments in Colombia provide an interesting subject of analysis for the classroom. I am convinced that good governance is based on how outstanding public institutions are and, therefore, they will always be as good as the public officials who are part of them. Because of this, I believe my future lies in the public service and that is why I truly want to pursue a career in the public sector or with a non-governmental organisation in Colombia. I would want to vindicate the collective imaginaries that have seen public service as a discredited activity that is disconnected from democracy and that is seen as inoperative among citizens. Among other reasons for choosing this course, I wish to contribute to the improvement of the public sector in my country and globally.

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