Munk School students make final round at São Paulo public policy conference

In order to address complex issues in areas such as education, climate change, poverty and food security, policymakers and governments require evidence-based solutions to combat ideological and informational divides. The main challenge is how these policies can foster social cohesion, bridge political divisions and establish durable agreements.

With that in mind, a team of four Master of Global Affairs (MGA) and Master of Public Policy (MPP) students presented at the Global Public Policy Network (GPPN) Annual Conference in São Paulo, Brazil. The event, which took place on March 4 and 5, was hosted by the Fundação Getulio Vargas São Paulo School of Business. The team was one of 19 to pitch a policy solution to a jury of six deans and directors representing some most prestigious schools of public policy and public affairs, globally.

MGA students Daniel Costanzo (first-year) and Giancarlo Da-Ré (second-year); and MPP students Kieran Kreidié-Akazaki (second-year) and Napas Thein (first-year) presented on Boosting Local News to Combat Polarization. The group made it to the final round of presentations, ranking among the top four teams at the conference. For their efforts, the GPPN has offered to provide a letter of support in the event that the students want to pursue their policy solution with the government.

"The GPPN conference was an extraordinary opportunity to present, exchange, and interrogate public policy ideas with future leaders from around the world. As a soon-to-be graduate who is considering career options in public policy, there was no better way to cap off my experience in the MGA program," says Da-Ré. "It was an unforgettable experience made possible by a stellar group of organizers, including our hosts.“

"This is a fantastic achievement as this is our first year as members of the network," says Ariana Bradford, executive director of the Munk School. Bradford, along with Munk School Director Peter Loewen, and Kristen Ligers, Munk School's director of programs, accompanied the students to Brazil. “These students were outstanding ambassadors and did the Munk School proud.” 

Learn more about the GPPN conference