Crawford School of Public Policy

Crawford School Ecuadorian student Jose Guerrero Vela has enjoyed the opportunity to forge closer links between Canberra-based members of the Latin American community.

Vela was working at a conservation NGO in the Galapagos Islands when he decided to come to Crawford School and learn about public policy from an NGO’s perspective.

He is now doing a graduate diploma in Public Administration before he begins his master’s degree in Crawford School’s Policy and Governance Program.

Vela is the President of the ANU Latin American Student Association and says it’s a great way to network with the wider community.

“There’s a whole team that work together and get involved with the Latin American community, not just here at ANU but outside the university as well.

“We organise many events and we invite different embassies from the Latin American community.

Vela says that through his involvement with the association his management skills have improved and he’s looking forward to using these skills when he returns to his home country.

“One of the lessons that I’ve learnt is that you have to really focus on one project if you want to do something parallel to the study responsibilities that you have.

“I’m in the first year so I think the skills you get on managing projects here and how to approach the policy issues are very important.

“As there is an international perspective, most of the successes and failures that you learn from different cases in other countries gives you a stronger background to go back to your own country and not repeat the same mistakes and try to improve things that you have learnt from other countries.”

Vela says that Crawford School offers lots of support for students and Canberra is a very friendly place.

“I would recommend for people to try to be involved because Crawford has plenty of opportunities for multicultural activities, professional activities and leadership spaces.

“Get motivated and be confident that Crawford and Canberra in general will offer you lots of opportunities that you can really enjoy.”

Story by Amelia Bidgood.