Project Objectives
Main objective
This project seeks to conceptualize, measure and critically analyze youth participation and the mediating role of digital technology and informatization in the governance of Colombia's intermediate cities. It offers interdisciplinary, cross-regional, comparative and mixed methods research on what and how technologies and governance innovations are employed by youth actors, municipal governments and other urban actors.
Research objectives:
Our team
Philipp Rode
LSE Cities, LSE / Principal Investigator
I grew up in the "urban countryside" of southern Germany, where I was involved in youth politics in my hometown. My enthusiasm for urban life took me to Berlin in the mid-1990s where I studied transportation systems engineering. Realizing that transportation could not be conceived apart from urban planning and design, I furthered my studies in London and went into transportation planning in New York.
Based at the London School of Economics and Political Science since 2001, I am now simultaneously researching, teaching and advising on urban development and governance with a growing interest in the political dimension of local democracy.
For me, NextGenC combines my initial interest in youth agendas in local politics, curiosity about the role and risks of digital technologies for deliberative practices, and my admiration for urban development in Colombia.
Catalina Duarte
LSE Cities, LSE / Policy Officer and project manager
I am from Bogota, Colombia and have been living in London, UK for the last 3 years. I currently work at LSE Cities as a policy officer. I did a master's degree in Urban and Regional Planning from LSE, and my undergraduate degree was in Urban Development and Management.
Most of my professional experience is in Latin America, where I have worked in international organizations, the public sector and academia in the areas of municipal and metropolitan governance, democracy and urban transportation.
From my work at NextGenC, what I am passionate about is understanding the ways in which youth express themselves and make their voices heard in their cities.
Nuno Ferreira da Cruz
LSE Cities / Co-principal investigator
I grew up in a small riverside town just outside Lisbon. While living in the Portuguese capital, I became curious about the ways we organise ourselves in society. How we make decisions about our future – such as on infrastructure investments or the rules that must be followed.
In 2014, I moved to the UK to join the London School of Economics and Political Science. After 10 incredible years, I have recently returned to Portugal. I am now an Associate Research Professor at GOVCOPP, University of Aveiro, and a Senior Associate at LSE Cities.
For an interdisciplinary academic working in the field of urban governance, NextGenC has all the ingredients of a fascinating project. We will be able to investigate many of the forces that shape the way urban policy decisions are made. And the extent to which young people are part of that process.
Olga Sorzano
LSE Cities, LSE / Policy Officer and project manager
After working between Colombia and the United Kingdom designing and implementing public policies aimed at social development, I realized that the impact of such policies is limited if we do not address how we relate to 'the other'; how we understand ourselves as individuals and societies through difference and interculturality. This realization led me to work with young artists and diverse communities, and to complete my doctoral studies in cultural policy and management. Today, I lead a space for cultural thought and creation, and I work on applied research projects that build bridges between academia, diverse communities, and society at large.
NextGenC is the perfect opportunity to understand the proposals that young people offer us for building societies that demand new identity and governance paradigms.
Lina María Martínez
Universidad ICESI Principal investigator
I am from Manizales, Colombia. Philosopher, Master in Education and Public Policy and Ph.D in Public Policy. Researcher, professor and director of POLIS at Universidad ICESI. I have been a consultant at the World Bank and the Inter-American Development Bank on educational policies in Latin America.
My research focuses on subjective wellbeing, mental health, social mobility and urban policies. I am passionate about researching, reading, teaching and working with young people.
The NextGenC project is an opportunity to learn more about the narratives, problems and dynamics that move young people in their construction of a more equitable and inclusive society.
Friederike Fleischer
Universidad de los Andes / Principal investigator
I am a professor of anthropology at the Universidad de los Andes. My research in China and Colombia focuses on how we live in the city and particularly on urban inequality. My latest projects examined how domestic workers move around the city and how life is in low-income housing developments. I am fascinated by cities and in my spare time I like to travel to different cities around the world and also read about them.
I am excited to work in the NextGenC project because of the contact with young people and their social movements in different parts of the country.
Daniel Sánchez
Universidad de los Andes / Researcher
My name is Daniel Sanchez, I am a young man born in Bogota, an anthropologist from the Universidad de Los Andes with academic options in Cultural Heritage and Social Psychology. I am currently pursuing a master's degree in Sociocultural Anthropology at the same university.
As part of the NextGenC team, I am interested in learning about and thinking together with young people about the possible futures we are seeking to build.
I am interested in applied qualitative research in urban contexts around issues such as social inequality and care work. I enjoy knitting, traveling and spending time with family and friends.
María Cecilia Dedios Sanguinetti
Universidad de los Andes / Co-Principal Investigator
I grew up in Lima, Peru where I studied psychology. My interest in understanding the influence of culture on how we think and how we relate to each other led me to live and study in Argentina, the United States and the United Kingdom where I completed a PhD in social and cultural psychology.
I am currently a professor at the School of Government at the Universidad de los Andes in Bogota (Colombia) where I have researched mental health and well-being, youth, and public policy. NextGenC combines my interest in youth work with research on organizational strategies and their connections to well-being.
Luisa Leyton Londoño
Universidad de los Andes / Researcher
I am from Cali. I hold a degree in Government and Public Affairs, an Economics degree, and a Master’s in Public Policy from Universidad de los Andes. My work has focused on supporting youth and ethnic organizations, researching their forms of participation and political and community advocacy. I have carried out most of my work in the Colombian Pacific region and Caquetá, allowing me to closely understand how young people have played a key role in transforming the country. NextGenC is an opportunity to continue exploring how youth leadership is changing their territories, as well as understanding the challenges they face in these processes.
María Fernanda Alomia
Universidad ICESI / Researcher
I am from Cali, Colombia. Psychologist and Master in Social and Political Studies. I work as a researcher at the Public Policy Observatory of the ICESI University.
I have worked in the coordination of research and social intervention projects. I am interested in research on topics such as health promotion with intercultural approach, mental health, public policy and education. I enjoy writing, athletics and manual arts.
NextGenC is a space that recognizes and integrates the voices and actions of young people from each territory, allowing to make visible the challenges of governance in different cities, in terms of inclusion and social mobility.
María Isabel Zafra
Universidad ICESI / Researcher
I am from Cali, Colombia. Economist and Master in Economics. I work as a research associate and lecturer at the Public Policy Observatory of the ICESI University.
My work experience includes design, monitoring, analysis, evaluation and coordination of urban and social projects. My academic interests revolve around issues associated with security, mobility, subjective wellbeing, informal economy and microfinance. I enjoy research, a good book, eating and salsa dancing.
NextGenC is a great platform for young people to expose their needs and dynamics at the local level and connect them with the government to generate more inclusive cities.
Sandra Marcela Moreno Bolaños
Universidad ICESI / Communications Officer
I am from Cali, Colombia, and I hold a degree in Interactive Media Design from Universidad Icesi. I am currently pursuing a Master’s in UX Digital Experience Design at the same university.
I have worked on creating communication strategies and designing digital products for social and cultural projects related to gender studies, human rights, and public policy. My work focuses on developing strategies that not only inform but also inspire and promote positive social change to contribute to building a fairer and more equitable society.
NextGenC allows me to explore how digital technology can amplify young voices, facilitating their participation in inclusive decision-making and policy processes.
NextGenC allows me to explore how digital technology can amplify young voices, enabling their participation in inclusive decisions and policies.
Alejandra Ramírez
Despacio / Youth engagement officer
I am from Cali, Colombia. Professional in Social Communication and Journalism, with a Master's degree in Development Studies with a focus on Human Rights, Gender and Conflict Studies. My work experience has revolved around communication and education for social change with young people.
My academic interests and publications revolve around issues of human rights, justice and empowerment of Afro-Colombian women affected by the internal armed conflict. I enjoy embroidery, reading and traveling.
At Despacio I am a pedagogical advisor and I believe NextGenC will make an important contribution to the academic literature on youth and governance in Colombia
Freddie Bossa
Despacio / Communications officer
Social communicator and journalist from Universidad del Valle, with a Master’s in Strategic Communication from Universidad Santiago de Cali. Raised in the Aguablanca District in eastern Cali, I decided to grow my hair when I started my first job, and I haven’t cut it since 2006.
I have been part of the newsrooms of Diario ADN, El País and Diario Occidente, among others, and I participated in the Fellowship of Journalism of the Falling Walls Foundation of Germany.
I think NextGenC can be a great opportunity to get to know more about the youth of my country and the way they relate to technology and politics.
Alejandra María Álvarez
Despacio / Líder de proyecto
Soy Ingeniera de Diseño de Producto con Maestría en Marketing y más de 12 años de experiencia en marketing social y comunicación para la transformación cultural. He liderado proyectos nacionales e internacionales con enfoque de género y diversidad en cambio climático, diseño urbano y movilidad sostenible. Actualmente, como Líder de Género, comunidad y territorio en Despacio, impulso iniciativas para la inclusión y la equidad. Trabajo para NextGenC disponiendo herramientas innovadoras de marketing social, comunicación y design thinking para fortalecer la participación política juvenil.
Juliana Gámez
Despacio / Asistente de investigación
Soy politóloga y Gestora Urbana en proceso de grado. Tengo experiencia en la gestión de proyectos asociados a la planeación urbana, desde una mirada social y territorial, especialmente en contextos que involucran a mujeres y comunidades rurales. Mi trabajo se centra en traducir información técnica y compleja en contenidos claros y accesibles para distintos públicos. Actualmente me desempeño como asesora de proyectos enfocados en desarrollo sostenible y enfoque de género. En NextGenC he tenido la oportunidad de articular el análisis desde la ciencia política con la creación de comunidades más democráticas desde la juventud, explorando formas creativas de participación, lo cual me apasiona.
Sebastián Saldarriaga
Despacio / Communications officer
Soy profesional en comunicación digital y antropología sociocultural. He trabajado con banca multilateral como el Banco de Desarrollo de América Latina y el Caribe (CAF) y la Corporación Financiera Internacional (IFC) y también he pasado varias horas haciendo investigación académica. He investigado sobre clases sociales, multiculturalidad y, curiosamente, sobre redes sociales que no son digitales: las que se tejen en barrios, aulas, cocinas y espacios comunitarios.
Cécile Roth
UCLG / Global impact and engagement leader
After growing up in the French Pyrenees, the Caribbean and Guyana, I studied development aid and urban planning. Research on migration trajectories to informal settlements in Buenos Aires led me to urban segregation in Mexico City, and then to advocate the role of local public services for equality.
Currently working with United Cities and Local Governments (UCLG), in the Strategic Partnerships, Research, and Advocacy teams at the international level, on local governance, inequalities, gender equality and youth, to create just and sustainable cities and territories.
Together with local feminist leaders, including younger ones, I am committed to promoting local democracy, catalyzing mutual empowerment and collective action.
Loane Alonzeau
UCLG / Communications officer
I am a professional in Digital Marketing, Communication, and Cultural Management from Paris, France. My career and studies have taken me to southern France, Brazil, Germany, and now Spain.
I have experience in communication, cultural management, project management, and investigative journalism in various organizations. I currently work in the Communications department at UCLG. In my free time, I am a digital climate activist and a volunteer with a feminist organization.
I believe NextGenC provides a unique opportunity to better understand youth social movements, address their needs, and ensure their voices have an impact and are heard.
Anna Calvete Moreno
UCLG / Researcher
I was born in Barcelona. I work in the areas of Research, Migration and Monitoring of United Cities and Local Governments. I am a lawyer and I have a master's degree in gender studies and another in International Law.
I am passionate about working for the democratization of cities and territories, promoting new ways for local governments to be guarantors and promoters of human rights and justice for all.
Ilsa Banuvi Caizamo
Investigadora comunitaria - Quibdó (2024-2025)
I am a young Indigenous woman from the Embera Dobida people of the Jurubidá Chori Alto Baudó reserve, located in the municipality of Nuquí. I am a tenth-semester student of public accounting at the Technological University of Chocó "Diego Luis Cordoba" and a certified administrative assistant. I enjoy spending time with elders to learn from their ancestral knowledge, and I love leading initiatives that bring positive changes to my territories. I am passionate about playing fotball and motivating women in various social spaces. I am excited about this project because it involves working with young people and will also help me understand how I can better support them.
Cristian Arlés González Pérez
Investigador comunitario - Manizales (2024-2025)
Nací en un municipio del norte caldense y mi interés por la política me llevó a continuar mis estudios en la ciudad de Manizales. Soy trabajador social con estudios de maestría en Estudios Políticos. Además, tengo formación técnica en Manejo y Protección Ambiental.
Mis intereses de investigación se han movilizado en las formas de participación política y construcción de paz que los jóvenes agencian desde sus territorios. Esto me ha llevado a una constante formación académica en pedagogías ciudadanas y etnoeducación. NextGenC es una posibilidad de visibilizar cómo la participación de las juventudes es un potencializador de resistencia, cambio y defensa de la democracia.
Kathleen Palacios Asprilla
Investigadora comunitaria - Quibdó (2024-2025)
Soy nacida y criada a orillas del majestuoso río Atrato en la ciudad de Quibdó – Chocó. Normalista superior, licenciada en Educación Infantil y estudiante de Derecho de la Universidad Tecnológica del Chocó “Diego LuIs Córdoba”. Durante muchos años he incidido en espacios cívicos y sociales encaminados a salvaguardar los derechos e intereses de las y los jóvenes del departamento del Chocó. NextGenC es una oportunidad para adentrarnos en la realidad de las juventudes, conocer sus intereses, sus formas de incidir y entender el impacto que están generando desde su quehacer en las transformaciones de sus territorios.
Isamar Julio
Investigadora comunitaria - Cartagena (2024-2025)
I am a performing arts teacher and a certified occupational safety technologist. Proudly from Cartagena. I began my leadership journey at the age of 17/18, working individually and with a group of young people, where we gathered to support communities. Later, I joined the Youth Network of Profamilia in my city, where I have been active for over four years. I am also currently part of Global Shapers Cartagena, a community of leaders where we carry out various initiatives.
Karen Naundorf
External communications consultant
I am a journalist specializing in South America and a Pulitzer Center on Crisis Reporting Fellow in the AI Accountability program focused on artificial intelligence. I collaborate with NextGenC as an external consultant.
Diana María Ramírez Daza
External consultant in local governments
I studied Law and Political Science in Bogotá and later completed a Master’s in Urban and Regional Planning in the United Kingdom. I have worked on inclusive urban development projects at the local, regional, and national levels. For the past six years, I have lived in Germany, working as a consultant for international cooperation projects and collaborating with cities worldwide that aim to promote social inclusion and urban development with a comprehensive approach. NextGenC is an opportunity to understand how young people in Colombia, in all their diversity, contribute to development, interact with other stakeholders, and make decisions about their cities by leveraging technology.
María Andrea García
External consultant on youth and violence
María Andrea García is a professional in psychology and Dance/Movement with 13 years of experience in mental health and psycho-social work in the UK and Colombia. She has facilitated groups in mental health, integrating intrapersonal and interpersonal relationships through movement. She has taught at Croydon College, University of Richmond and other institutions, creating educational programmes. As a consultant, she collaborated with DUNNA and IOM on rehabilitation and training projects. She designed a pilot programme for civil servants and developed prevention strategies for Volunteers Colombia. A pioneer in Dance/Movement Therapy in Colombia, she currently offers private consultation and directs a diploma course on the subject.
Affiliated partners
- Richard Lemoine-Rodríguez: Würzburg University/German Aerospace Center (DLR)
Advisory board
- Austin Zeiderman: Associate Professor of Geography Departmentof Geography and Environmentat the LSE.
- Gareth Jones: Director of Latin America and Caribbean Centre, Department of Geography and Environment at the LSE
- Alcinda Honwana: Former Strategic Director at the Firoz Lalji Institute for Africa and Centennial Professor at the LSE Department of International Development
- Andres Alberto Lombana Bermudez: Assistant Professor of Communication, Pontificia Universidad Javeriana Special Advisoron Genderand Diversity, Inter-American Development Bank
- Diana Rodríguez Franco: Former Secretary for Women’s Affairs of the City Government of Bogota, Colombia