Emiliana Vegas is the author of the new book Let's Change the World: How to Work Within International Development Organizations to Make a Difference. She has worked at the World Bank and Inter-American Bank, and is a professor of practice at the Harvard Graduate School of Education. She lives in Cambridge, Massachusetts.
Q: What inspired you to write Let's Change the World?
A: I passionately believe in the power of education to change lives and feel privileged to have been able to devote my career to this cause. I have spent my career working to bring evidence to inform education policy in the so-called Global South, particularly in Latin America and the Caribbean.
My heart lies in bringing evidence to the hands of decision-makers, especially those working to improve educational opportunities for children in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs).
A little over a year ago, I met up with Noam Angrist, who had worked in a few different types of roles – research, policy, and practice – and was on a mission to connect the dots between all three, with good evidence translating into real-world change.
We met in a café in Harvard Square. Noam wanted advice on how to maximize ongoing engagements with two multilateral organizations, which seemed on the cusp of translating some exciting new evidence into large-scale change. I had spent most of my career at those two institutions, the World Bank and the Inter-American Development Bank, and I was more than happy to provide my perspectives to him.
We met at 3 p.m. and talked past 6 p.m. (when I had to go catch the shuttle back to my apartment), and right before parting ways, Noam said, “You ought to write a book about your experiences.” He continued, “Had we chatted 10 years ago, it would have made navigating the ins and outs of these organizations much easier! And now that you’re a Harvard professor, you can say whatever you want.”
This has become my goal.
Q: Former World Bank official Elizabeth King said of the book, “There is much to learn here, including reasons for genuine optimism about our capacity to help the world for the better.” What do you think of that description?
A: I love it because there are a few other former World Bank officials who wrote books about their experience, but they cast international development organizations (IDOs) as too bureaucratic, with too many vested interests at play, to be able to have impact.
In my experience, IDOs have the capacity to dramatically improve opportunities for people living in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Yet, I also know that these institutions can be riddled with limitations and inefficiencies and that sometimes their staff are more interested in pursuing individual agendas than the institutional mission.
Luckily, I’ve lived through it all. I know there are people who really care in this field, and there are ways to operate on the inside that genuinely put the cause first and amplify impact.
I want young people and professionals to know they can make a difference in the world by working within these organizations, benefiting from their resources, and dodging—or redefining—systemic setbacks and misaligned political agendas.
I hope this book will encourage those interested in pursuing careers in development to really go for it. With the right guidance and education, you can contribute to real and meaningful change in our complex world. And the World Bank, the United Nations, the Inter-American Development Bank, and similar international organizations provide a remarkable platform to do just that.
Q: What did you see as the right balance between your own story and a wider framework as you wrote the book?
A: When I started writing the book, my first few pages were too autobiographical. I have a good memory and had a lot of interesting stories of moments throughout my career that I knew would be informative for early- and mid-career professionals interested in working in IDOs.
As I made progress and got early feedback from trusted family members and friends, I realized that readers would get the most if I was able to give them useful information and tips, but also provide anecdotes from my own story to illustrate and engage them.
Q: Can you say more about what you hope readers take away from the book?
A: I hope readers will better understand the many options in the international development sphere to make a difference.
For example, there are organizations that focus on policy, while others are directly involved in program implementation. There are global funders and private philanthropies, and also many think tanks and other advising organizations, such as consulting firms.
Also, there are IDOs whose primary mandate is to convene interested parties to agree on agendas, such as much of the United Nations. I want readers to understand the skills that help one get into IDOs, to navigate them effectively, and, most importantly, to make real difference in the world.
Q: What are you working on now?
A: I teach courses on global education and education policy to our master’s and doctoral students at the Harvard Graduate School of Education.
I am also involved in conducting research with some of my students to analyze key challenges and policy options for improving education systems in LMICs. And I serve on a number of Boards and Advisory Committees of several IDOs.
I like having a portfolio of different activities, from research and writing, to teaching, and advising real organizations.
Q: Anything else we should know?
A: My proudest accomplishments are my two young adult sons, Tobias and Emilio Abelmann. They are in their early 20s, beginning their own careers after having excelled in their education. More importantly, they’re kind and fun, and they still enjoy spending time with me and each other.
--Interview with Deborah Kalb
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