Juan Ortiz Freuler

My overarching interest is in development. I believe institutional reforms that increase government responsiveness to citizens are a key part of achieving equitable growth. In turn, I understand equality as a necessary condition for the long-term sustainability of societies. A lawyer by background, I have researched and advocated through NGOs since I was an adolescent. I have devised and implemented digital strategies to open up the black-box of judicial appointments, and have effectively pushed through two major policy reforms, as well as designed and coordinated a major online campaign against a reform that would have reduced the Judiciary’s independence from the Executive. I have also researched and promoted reforms within oversight institutions throughout Latin America, in an effort to make them more transparent, accountable, and open to citizen participation. Over the past two years, I’ve taken steps to develop new skills in policy-making, design thinking, and online citizen participation, in order to forward new strategies of advocacy and research. Through a Master in Public Policy I expanded my understanding of three fronts: economic frameworks that inform government decisions; stakeholder analysis to understand the broader picture of interests that need to be aligned; and negotiating skills to leverage upon those different interests and promote change. A Masters in Social Science of the Internet provided me with a deeper understanding of the social implications of the Internet, the emerging trends and bubbles, and the skills required to design and carry out research projects that take advantage of the vast amount of structured data available online. I'm passionate about the role ICTs can play in fostering policy debates around these issues, and would point to curiosity as my defining trait. My skills are available to those interested in implementing, researching or advocating for policies that can forward a more substantive account of democracy.