Izabela Watts, an Icon of Change in Australia

Icons of Change

Icons of Change International Awards 2026  Dr. Izabela Pereira Watts  Senior Lecturer and Convener, Master of International Development, University of Canberra Former Senior International Gender and Inclusion Specialist, Australian Federal Police Former Democratic Governance and Political Affairs Officer, United Nations Peacekeeping Mission in Timor-Leste Former Senior Project Analyst Officer and Democratic Governance & Political Affairs Officer, United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Former Official with the Organization of American States (OAS)  Author, Peace or Democracy? Peacebuilding Dilemmas to Transition from Civil Wars (Routledge, 2023)  Top 99 Young Professional World Leaders in Foreign Policy Under 33 (Diplomatic Courier & Global Affairs Magazine, USA, 2013) Premio Yunque Award for Educational Distinction and Humanitarian Work (Argentina, 2007) Three-Time Nominee, Outstanding Contribution to Teaching and Learning Award (University of Wollongong, 2020, 2022, 2023)  SDG Focus: Goal 16 – Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions Changemaker for Democratic Governance, Peacebuilding, and Global Cooperation (Australia)  Dr. Izabela Pereira Watts is an internationally recognized scholar-practitioner, former United Nations peacekeeper, development specialist, and educator whose distinguished career spans more than two decades across international diplomacy, democratic governance, peacebuilding, humanitarian affairs, international security, and sustainable development.  Her professional experience extends across Asia, Africa, Latin America, Europe, and the Indo-Pacific, where she has worked with leading international institutions including the United Nations, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), UN Women, the Organization of American States (OAS), government agencies, law enforcement institutions, and academic organizations. Through these roles, she has contributed to democratic reform, social inclusion, anti-corruption initiatives, gender equality, peacekeeping operations, humanitarian programs, and international development strategies in complex political and post-conflict environments.  As a Democratic Governance and Political Affairs Officer with the United Nations Peacekeeping Mission in Timor-Leste, Dr. Watts provided strategic advice on democratic institutions, elections, governance reform, human rights, decentralization, and gender empowerment. She worked closely with the Presidential Office, National Parliament, government ministries, and civil society organizations while supporting electoral processes and strengthening democratic participation during a critical period of nation-building.  Her subsequent leadership with the United Nations Development Programme saw her design, coordinate, and implement seventeen strategic development projects valued at more than US$12 million across Haiti, Timor-Leste, and Angola.

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00:00In a world fractured by global and complex crises, the defining question of our time is how do we turn

00:12global ambition for a better world into real and local impact?

00:19The answer necessary lies in everyday leadership by stepping up as an icon of change.

00:27I am Isabella Pereira Watts, and I'm honored to accept the Icons of Change International Award 2026.

00:41To be recognized on this global platform is both humbling as well as deeply motivating.

00:51For over 20 years, my journey has been anchored in international security, international development, and peace building in Latin America,

01:01Africa, Southeast Asia.

01:03Originally from Brazil, I served on the ground as a United Nations peacekeeper to managing multi-million projects in international

01:12development.

01:13But all these experiences show me a fundamental truth.

01:19We cannot achieve sustainable progress without a structured peace and inclusive governance.

01:29Today, I channel that humanitarian and fueled experience in international development into higher education as electric transferring knowledge and providing

01:42capacity building.

01:43I truly believe that is education our most powerful catalyst for accelerating the sustainable development goals.

01:53By equipping the next generation of global leaders with strategic clarity and empathy, we multiply and champion a truly human

02:02-centric approach to the world's most pressing challenges in international security and international development,

02:08and in the fight against poverty and improving education.

02:16But there is a cut down and a call for action.

02:19There is only four years remaining to achieve the 2003 Agenda.

02:27A world in crisis cannot afford to wait.

02:33It takes more than labels and high-level policy.

02:39It takes passion, presence, advocacy, action, professional leadership, ethics.

02:48It takes icons of change.

02:51And I'm proud to say that I am an icon of change.

02:58I'm proud to be the one who works for this연ly who is always in a favor with my folks.

03:04How can I not be the one who works for this nation?

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