Cecilia, Environmental Policy

Coming from Italy, Cecilia Pera has graduated in Environmental Policy. She works as Content and Initiatives Officer at the Women’s Forum for the Economy & Society in Paris, France. 

I am Content and Initiatives Officer at the Women’s Forum for the Economy & Society, an international platform that aims at achieving gender equality and raising women’s voices through events, collaborative working groups and initiatives. My main responsibilities include the drafting of our events & programmes and the coordination of our collective working groups, called Daring Circles, on business and climate action issues (Women4Business and Women4ClimateAction). Moreover, I am project manager on the initiative WomenEntrepreneurs4Good, an accelerator program for women entrepreneurs that accompanies tham in scaling up their green projects.

How did you secure this role? 

During my third semester internship I had the opportunity to work with the Women’s Forum on the climate action strategy of their events.  Afterwards I contacted them inquiring about internship opportunities and swiftly started to work there as an intern supporting the communication and coordination of the Daring Circles Women4Business and Women4ClimateActions during my last semester at PSIA. Once I graduated I started a full time contract and faced a steep learning curve and a quick evolution to my current role and responsibilities.

What is the most fascinating and/or surprising aspect at your role?

Working in a relatively small organization, one of the most fascinating yet challenging aspects of my role is the fact that I had the opportunity to take on responsibilities and evolve professionally very quickly. I am in an environment that allows the necessary flexibility to work on different projects and continuously acquire different skills. Moreover, I am able to work on a fascinating topic that is the intersection between women and climate action and have the opportunity to meet and work with inspiring women.

How did your PSIA experience help you with the role? 

I believe that my experience at PSIA helped me in many ways in my work today. First, it gave me the necessary theoretical background to understand social and gender inequalities as well as an expertise on environmental issues that is unique and valuable to the rest of the team. Also the voluntary projects and the internship I carried out while at PSIA have given me fundamental skills and assets for my career.

What advice would you give to others? 

I believe that the advice that I would give to others is to always be proactive and willing to put yourself into new projects and to never stop learning . You never know what a new mission may bring you.

• About Women’s Forum for the Economy & Society
• About the Master in Environmental Policy