Read about Hillary Bakrie

What brought you to a career in technology at the United Nations?

I began my career in the digital technology sector in Southeast Asia, where I worked on developing digital start-ups to help empower SMEs. This experience has helped me leverage my knowledge of innovation and youth-led enterprises and implement them in other sectors, including my work at the United Nations. As I began my career in the Office of the UN Secretary-General's Envoy on Youth, I used my knowledge to help develop the Office's support and empowerment of young innovators and solution makers. This effort contributed to the acceleration of SDGs, as well as ensuring the inclusion of young innovators rights, needs, and voices in the United Nations' initiatives on innovation, technology, and digital development and in the work of the UN's multi-stakeholder partners.

What has been your favorite IT project at the United Nations and what was your technical contribution?

Together with the support of OICT, our office launched the Reboot the Earth challenge in 2019 to allow over 1,000 youth across the world to build solutions to fight climate change. The winners presented their solutions at the UN Youth Climate Summit. Additionally, in 2020, I led the partnership with Twitter to create a digital safety resource for youth activists that highlights young people's rights in the digital space. The resource "Staying safe with Twitter - Youth Activist Checklist: Guidance on Digital Safety and Online Protection of Young People" is included as Twitter's official knowledge resource for the youth.

What advice would you give women interested in pursuing a field in technology?

In a sector that often excludes women and girls, we understand first-hand the need for a strong support system. Don't hesitate to reach out to other women and supporters that can root and advocate for you in navigating the technology space!