Inclusive Political Participation: Representing Minorities and Under-represented Populations
This session will include the winners of the Politician of the Year Award who will be discussing how they are fostering inclusion in their respective offices, ensuring underrepresented communities have a voice.
Speakers
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President Laura ChinchillaFormer President of the Republic of Costa RicaPresident Laura Chinchilla
Counsellor
Former President of the Republic of Costa Rica
Former President Laura Chinchilla is a political scientist with a master’s degree in Public Policy from Georgetown University.
She was the first woman to be elected president of Costa Rica (2010-2014). Previously, she served as minister of public security (1996-1998), congresswoman (2002-2006), minister of justice (2006-2008), and vice president (2006-2008). During her political career, Mrs.
Chinchilla prompted police and justice reform measures to tackle crime and violence, digital and open government, the promotion of women's rights, and early childhood protection. She also promoted environmental sustainability policies, especially on preserving marine biodiversity, for which she was distinguished with international awards.Mrs. Chinchilla has worked as a consultant with various international organizations, such as: the Interamerican Development Bank (IDB), the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).
She has taught at the Institute of Politics and Public Policy
of Georgetown University (USA), the Instituto Tecnológico de Monterrey (México), and the Universidade de Sao Paulo (Brazil). -
Hana-Rawhiti Maipi-ClarkeMember of Parliament for Hauraki Waikato, New ZealandHana-Rawhiti Maipi-Clarke
Member of Parliament for Hauraki Waikato, New Zealand
Hana-Rawhiti Maipi-Clarke, 21, is a New Zealand politician representing Te Paati Maaori, the only indigenous party in the country. She is the youngest MP since 1853. Her involvement in the political realm has allowed young Maaori and the younger generation to have a voice within New Zealand's democracy. Maipi-Clarke has ancestry to many native tribes in Aotearoa, including Ngapuhi, Ngati Porou, Te Atiawa, Waikato, and Ngai Tahu. Her grandparents are staunch activists in Nga Tamatoa; her great-grandfather (x4), Wiremu Katene, became the first Maaori Minister of the Crown when he was appointed in 1872. Maipi-Clarke received her education at Te Wharekura o Rakaumanga, a first-generation full immersion school, where she learned and became fluent in her native language. At age 17, she published her first book, Maahina, about the Maaori lunar cycle calendar and astronomy. She has gone on to create other educational resources, which she has applied within and outside of classrooms to educate young Maaori by decolonising the educational system with traditional Maaori knowledge and practices. She, among others, founded a community garden in her local tribal area, Raahui Pookeka, to restore indigenous practices around food sovereignty. She then went on to create Aotearoa's first Food Sovereignty policy. Maipi-Clarke supported the Make It 16 campaign in parliament to lower the voting age.
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Elena Sofia Motta KolleffMember of the Congress, GuatemalaElena Sofia Motta Kolleff
Member of the Congress, Guatemala
Elena made history in Guatemala as the youngest woman ever elected to Congress at just 22. She pursued a degree in political science, which she simultaneously worked full-time to fund while helping with the spending home, since the age 18. She was a leader of the student movement, where she advocated for a government that works for all, gender equality and the end of corruption. She was the head of the Tide Turners Plastic Program, dedicated to protect and clean the bodies of water around the country. She was a Scout for 20 years. She was an intern for Semilla’s Congressman Bernardo Arévalo, who is now President. There, she became a part of Movimiento Semilla, a progressive anti-corruption Party. In 2023, Elena contested in the party’s primaries, securing a spot on the congressional ballot. They went on to win the election and became the most progressive government in a long time. Elena's election took place amid big democratic threats. Despite a coup attempt, the people, and her party ensured President Arévalo's inauguration took place on January 14th, 2024. Now, in office, Elena is fighting to build a better country for the working class, women, and youth. She embodies the fight for progress.